Page 38 of Father of the Bride

Mark thought it at the same time Orion said it out loud.

“Alittle?”

She rolled her eyes at her ex and looked up at Daisy. “What are the rules?”

“Well this one is just an ice-breaker, but I’m gonna ask questions about the happy couple and we’ll see who knows them best. Feel free to yell out the answers. First person to five points wins a lovely trip to the Oasis for a full spa day.”

“Aw, come on, man.”

Vince wasn’t the only one grumbling. All of the guys sans Mark complained under their breath.

“OR,” Daisy continued, “tickets to the Panthers’ season opener.”

Amari clapped his hands together once. “Okay, now we’re talking!”

Satisfied, Daisy pulled out her notecards. Every question was embroidered on the front in a fancy font and stamped with gold leaf. Dr. Bennett had spared no expense.

“Okay, question one. Where did the happy couple meet?”

“Damn, I know this one…” Amari tapped his forehead as he stared at his brother. “Cancun?”

“Close,” Daisy said. “But not close enough.”

Mark knew, but he didn’t need a spa trip, and he already had season tickets to the Panthers. He sipped his drink and felt his muscles relax. This wasn’t too bad. At least he got to stare at Sunny all night.

Panties, or no panties?

He’d find out soon enough.

“I know,” Sunny said quietly. “Tulum.”

Daisy nodded. “Good job, Mom.”

“That’s not fair,” Sylvan whined. “I don’t think parents should get to answer.”

“Don’t be a sore loser,” she told her son. “You should want your mama to win. I need a massage.”

“Ew. I don’t wanna be thinking about you getting rubbed by a stranger,” Amari said, and all three Dixon boys laughed at that.

Mark, on the other hand, loved the thought of Cici being pampered. He pulled his phone out to handle some business, trying to be as covert as possible.

“Next question,” Daisy said. “Where did Davion and Brooklyn go on their first date?”

Mark snapped his fingers. “I know this.”

But before he could answer, Sylvan yelled out, “Cheesecake Factory!”

All of the Bennetts laughed at that. Brooklyn’s childhood nickname was Princess. Hilary Banks was her idol. That girl wasn’t going to no Cheesecake Factory on a first date.

Just another side effect of the way she was raised. Mark’s first date with Sunny was at a McDonald’s after a football game. He smiled at the memory. Two big mac combos and two apple pies. They ate under the stars in his Geo Tracker, then made out until dorm curfew.

Those were some of the best days of his life.

“Why is it taking y’all so long to answer this?” Davion asked with a smile. “Actin’ like y’all don’t know us at all.”

“Didn’t you take her to your apartment?” Amari blurted out. “Yeah, cuz you told me she—“

“Nah, nah, nah!” Davion put his hands up, while Brooklyn froze next to him. “Chill, bruh.”

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