Page 37 of Father of the Bride

She smiled. “So far, he’s amazing. Very attentive. He’s generous. Seems loyal. He’s an all around good person.”

“I hope so. Because you got a gang of sons behind you, and I’m the ringleader.”

She laughed at that.

“How long you been talking to him?”

“Not that long.”

“Uh huh.” He peered at her, searching for something. “Your eyes just went all dreamy.”

She laughed. “Cut me some slack. There’s a lot going on right now. I’m tired.”

“Yeah. Speaking of, we gotta get back out there for family game night.”

“Okay. But Dav…how do you think your brothers will feel?”

He shrugged. “I really can’t say. They aren’t happy about that lady coming with Pop.”

“Well, it is what it is. This is the new normal, unfortunately. Your father and I are over.”

He blew out a breath. “I just want you happy. Whoever makes that happen is good in my book.”

“I appreciate that. I love you, Dav.”

“Love you too, Mama. Let’s go on out there.”

“Are you better now?”

He stopped at the door, his hand on the knob. “I’ll keep you posted.”

Daisy stood at the front of the cozy den and smiled at the guests around her.

“Welcome to the Bennett Family Wedding Game Night! Can we all scootch in just a little closer? Remember, the theme is family. Let’s show how much we like each other!”

Everybody moved their bodies a few centimeters closer to one another, but besides Dav and Brooklyn, there was more segregation in the room than 1960s Alabama. The Bennetts; Mark, Drew, Vince, and Mark’s sister Mishon were on one side. The Dixons; Orion, Sunny, Amari, and Sylvan, sat on the other. Daisy wasn’t going to be defeated, though. She’d seen far worse and triumphed by the end of the night.

“Now, I know everyone thinks these are corny, and you’re absolutely right,” she said to laughter. “BUT, we’re gonna have some fun tonight! And to facilitate that, let’s go ahead and bring in the libations.”

Two young men rolled gold bar carts into the room. Dressed in black slacks and white button downs, they expertly mixed drinks to order. Once everyone was served, they retreated to the back of the room, ready to refill if necessary.

Mark had a feeling it would be necessary.

He sipped his old fashioned and snuck a few glances at Sunny, who was sitting pretty next to her ex-husband on the couch. Their body language was confusing, but he resigned himself to the fact that until she wasofficiallyhis, he had no say in what they did.

But he was definitely gonna need a refill.

“Okay, first game,” Daisy announced. “Bride and groom trivia!”

When nobody reacted, she crossed her arms. “Did I mention there are prizes associated with these games?”

“Okay! Now we’re talking!” Drew cheered.

Sunny’s smile was contagious, causing a grin to break out across Mark’s face.

Then he wondered if Sunny was wearing panties under her green sundress.

“Fair warning,” she said. “I’m a little competitive.”

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