I leave before I open her door and do something that I won’t regret at all. She’s here, at my parents’ home, and I couldn’t be more excited for the weekend ahead.
I take my clothes out and hang them in the wardrobe. Every year, Dad asks for me to wear a dickhead knitted vest for golf, but that will never happen. I’ll continue the tradition from him and his dad, but I need to draw the line somewhere.
When I’m done, I head back to Mila’s room because she brought a considerable amount of clothes with her.
She’s lining shoes up when I reach her door.
“Are you staying longer than one night?”
She looks up, smiling guiltily. “I wasn’t sure what everyone was wearing tonight. Is it more casual or formal? So, I brought a choice.”
“You’ve brought four choices.”
“Same thing.” She flips her case shut and stands. “What is your mum making? It smells so good, I’m drooling.”
“Pastries. Lots of them. Bacon, eggs, and sausage. She’s probably chopping fruit, too, so she can say it’s a healthy brunch.”
“We should help her.”
“No, we shouldn’t.”
Mila nods. “Ah, that’s where you get your ‘no help in the kitchen’ from.”
“We don’t like people meddling.”
“I would have helped.”
We walk downstairs and into the kitchen. Mum refuses to put any Christmas decorations up until after my birthday, but there are balloons and presents on the side table.
I place my hand on her back, and even that small touch is enough to make my pulse race.
“There you two are. Phoebe’s just pulled up.”
“Do you need me to do anything?” Mila asks, despite knowing she’ll be turned down.
“Oh, no, dear. You relax. Reid can make coffee. I know he’s quite… particular when it comes to how it’s made.”
Mila grins up at me. “Particular sounded a lot like anal freak there.”
“Anal?” I whisper.
She shakes her head with a scowl. “No, thank you.”
“Mila!” Phoebe says, rushing towards her with Lexie on her hip.
“Hey.”
They hug, and Phoebe whacks me.
“What was that?”
“You didn’t tell me Mila was coming. But happy birthday.”
I shrug. “Sorry.”
Mila scowls playfully. “As if you’re trying to keep me a secret.”
Callum walks in holding two massive bags crammed with everything Lexie needs for the night… and probably the following twelve.
“She’s getting big now,” I say, stroking Lexie’s cheek.
Lexie instantly pulls her whole body away from me, tucking herself into Phoebe.
I think she’s about ten months old now, and she clearly still hates me.
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Phoebe coos. “That’s your uncle Reid.”
Lexie looks up and spots Mila. Her four-toothed smile is instant. She holds her chubby arms out, and Mila takes her from Phoebe.
“Great, the kid prefers you, too.”
Mila laughs. “Hey, pretty girl. You’re going to like him eventually; he has so many books. All those shelves are going to make the most awesome climbing frame for you.”
Mum dries her hands and walks around the kitchen island.
“Oh, look at her with Mila.”
I know exactly what that means. Look at Mila with a baby. Give her babies, Reid.
My mother wants a thousand grandchildren.
“Hey, Reid. Happy birthday,” Callum says, whacking my back.
“Thanks.”
“Eric mowing that bloody grass again? He does it every three days.”
“Have a word with him, Callum,” Mum says. “He’s addicted.”
“There are worse addictions,” I say. “Could be prostitutes.”
Mum is the only person who doesn’t laugh. She holds it in while slapping my arm.
“I’ll call him; brunch is ready. Phoebe, I have the highchair for Lexie next to me.”
Phoebe rolls her eyes. “Of course. To be fair, it’ll be a nice change from me wearing Lexie’s food.”
“There’s prosecco on the table,” Mila says as Lexie throws herself at Callum.
He takes her to the highchair. Phoebe picks up one of the bags and follows him.
“I’m surprised it took you this long to notice,” I say.
She turns to me with her arms folded. “If you let me get drunk over brunch…”
“If I let you? Wow. Funny to think about you asking permission.”
“Hey, I ask permission.”
“When?”
She purses her lips. “I’m sure I asked to read your manuscripts.”
“We’ll use the term ‘ask’ loosely.”
“Use it however you like. Shall we go and celebrate you turning twenty-five? I’m not giving you your present until later.”
“Please tell me it’s wrapped in lace.”
Closing the distance, she places her hands on my chest. I’m not sure if she’s forgotten where we are, but I don’t care.
“The other present is currently wrapped in white lace.”
I groan and lower my head. “You’re going to make this day drag.”
She laughs. “But think how good it’s going to be when you slide under the covers tonight and peel that lace off me.”
I clench my jaw, and she steps back.
“Let’s go and sit down.”
I look over her shoulder. Phoebe and Callum are still fussing around with Lexie, and Mum and Dad are just walking into the house.
Mila and I take a seat opposite Phoebe and Callum. Dad sits next to me, and Mum is obviously at the head of the table with Lexie. That used to be the birthday person’s seat, but now everything belongs to Lexie. Good thing she’s cute.
“Prosecco, Mila?” I ask, picking up a bottle.
She looks at me, open-mouthed. “At this hour?”
“Don’t you drink?” Dad asks her.
“Erm…”
He laughs. “We’re all having one. Kelly and Phoebe will have more than one.”
I fill her glass, and then work around everyone else’s.
Mum looks at Mila then me.
Yeah, I get it. She belongs here.