“But…” She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back, shutting down.
“When you get married, everything will be about you. That will be your day. This one is for Holly.” Not that the family couldn’t have made sure that Margot was more involved in the planning. “But…” Daniel smirked and leaned over the table. “What are your plans for the wedding getaway car? Condoms, balloons, a goat…？” He grinned. “I think the decorations for the car are the little sister’s purview.”
James nodded. “That sounds right to me.” Margot immediately perked up, and Daniel wondered what her teenage mind was going to come up with. “Get a few of your friends to help.” Daniel loved how James got on the bandwagon.
“Do you have older sisters?”
“Biological ones, no. I was an only child, and the only family I have left is a grandmother. But I have lots of girlfriends, some of them older, though if I were to mention it, they would probably roast my behind in two seconds flat.” He shared a grin with James. “Bella would go through the roof if I were to spill her little secret.” Daniel put his hand over his mouth in mock horror. Thankfully, James got the joke.
“I’ll have to give her grief about it the next time I see her,” James added.
“I always wished I had sisters, either older or younger, but it was only me growing up.”
Margot ate a little more and then pushed the remnants of her burger aside. “Sometimes I wish I were an only child. Mom is always talking about Holly because she’s the oldest and James because he’s the only boy, and I just got stuck on the end.”
“Soon enough you’ll be the only one home, and then you’ll get all the attention you could possibly want,” James said with a sigh. “Just remember that Holly and I wore Mom down for you.”
Daniel shook his head. “Guys are clueless. You need to be yourself and let that come through. You aren’t your sister or your brother. You’re Margot, so fight your own battles and do what it is you want to do in life.” Daniel leaned over the table. “Just don’t get in your own way. I know your mom and even your dad can be a pain sometimes, but take it from me, I’d give just about anything to have my mom and dad back again. You get to hug them good-night.” Daniel hadn’t intended to bring all that up, and the intensity of the loss struck him unexpectedly. James patted his leg under the table, and Daniel was grateful for the care and the comfort.
“Have you thought about what you want to say tonight?” James asked Margot. “Holly is having an open mic sort of thing. She thought it would be nice for people to say a few things, maybe share some funny stories. I think it would be cool if you were the one of us to say something.”
Daniel squeezed James’s hand under the table. He seemed to understand what Margot needed.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I think it would be great,” James added. “I was going to say something, but I think it’s better if you do.”
Margot smiled brightly. “I should think about it.” James finished his burger, and Daniel picked at the last of his salad before James requested the check.
“That was pretty awesome,” Daniel said once Margot excused herself to go to the bathroom. “You actually gave her something to do.”
James shrugged. “You gave me the idea.” He leaned closer. “This wedding would be a disaster if you weren’t here. You have to know that. Holly’s dress would be a wreck and cobbled together, she’d be pissed at Mom because of the music, Margot would be sullen, and I’d be in the middle of it all, trying to stay the hell out of it.”
It was Daniel’s turn to shrug. “Speaking of your mother, at least you get props for keeping the ‘not fighting with your sisters’ commandment.” He snorted, and James dropped his fork with a clang.
“Great, one out of ten. That’s a real fucking accomplishment.” Thankfully he seemed to find the idea funny as well. “Mom’s expectations…”
“They’re so thick you could trip over them sometimes.” Daniel was really coming to understand her in a way, the good and the less good. Daniel didn’t doubt that she wanted what she thought was best for her family. “Though it is hard to stay mad at her.”
James ground his teeth. “That’s the real pain in the ass. But trying to change her mind is like pulling teeth. She’s stubborn.” He checked his phone when it vibrated. “It’s Ronny. He says he’s still digging.” James set the phone aside.