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It was an awkward conversation to have, especially since the last time we spoke I was telling him that we can’t keep seeing each other. Well, outside of work. We have to see each other there. But we can’t keep sleeping with each other.

It was a conversation that literally left me in tears and kicking myself. What I really wanted to do was be that girl who runs through the building to catch the guy before he drives away, confessing that she was wrong about whatever happened thing. But of course, I didn’t do that. I let him go. Because this isn’t a movie, and there're real feelings involved. Not to mention a five-year-old with whipped cream on his face whom I have to protect at all costs.

Even at the cost of my own heart…

“It’s going to be a great party,” he tells me, pinching a sprinkle between his fingers and popping it into his mouth.

“It is,” I smile.

And it is a good party as far as Jamie is concerned. There are a handful of kids from his school, and they all spend most of their time in the splash pad area, while the adults sit around under the pergola, snacking, drinking, and chatting. Of course, it’s not without some drama and a decent dose of tension.

My dad, Reese, and Garrett are there, along with their daughter, Teagan. Jim spends most of his time grilling. He looks very beachy, in his white linen shirt, sun hat, shades, Tommy Bahama shorts, and Sperrys. It’s very Jim. Casually cool.

Garrett talks to a few friends of his, guys he invited without asking, who all look like they play golf on the weekends. Reese is busy with Teagan…well, she’s busy yelling at the nanny. Dylan, Charlie, and Brittany are hanging out with their feet in the pool, drinks in hand.

“You sure know how to throw a party,” Charlie says. “Even if it is a kid’s party.”

Charlie has made it very obvious over the years that he has no interest in children. Marriage, yes. He’s actually engaged to Simon, a radio show host. They already live together, and their relationship has quite the social media following. He’s happy to play uncle to Jamie, and that’s the extent of it.

“I agree,” Dylan chimes in, taking an angle shot selfie then running it through a filter. “Even if some of the guest list is a bit of a drag.”

All of our eyes shift over to Reese and Garrett, who are arguing. No doubt about whatever she thinks he’s doing wrong, while he struggles to maintain face in front of the golf boys.

“Yeah,” I sigh, glancing back in the direction of Jamie and his friends who are happily standing under the water bucket, waiting for it to fill enough to tip on them. Then my eyes sweep back over to the pergola where Marcus and my dad are talking. Marcus looks like he usually does, confident yet not off-putting. He’s wearing shorts, which is a first, a white short-sleeved button-down, and shoes similar to my dad’s. He’s also got shades on, making it hard for me to tell what or who he’s actually looking at as he nods at something my dad is saying.

“What’s going on between you two?” Dylan asks, and my attention snaps back.

“What do you mean?” I ask, and she gives me a look before lowering her voice to just above a whisper so she can still hold the tone.

“Come on, honey,” Charlie chimes in. “I’m not an expert in heterosexual relationships, but even I am picking up on the tension between you two. And it’s not the good kind of tension.”

“Really?” I ask, and they both nod. Then I sigh and give in. “It got complicated,” I say. “And I should have known that it would. I mean, we’ve all seen that movie where some ditz thinks it’s a good idea to date her boss only to learn the hard way why that’s a terrible idea.”

“Are you talking about your own life?” Reese suddenly appears next to me, shoving her way into our circle. Reluctantly, we let her, even though Charlie’s mouth goes slack and Dylan is giving her the stink eye. “I knew there was something going on with you two.”

“I mean, they did go to the gala together,” Charlie says, looking at his nails with obvious disinterest.

“And how many girls can say that they’ve danced to Olivia Rodrigo with a sexy silver fox CEO,” Dylan asks.

“Very few…” Charlie adds, and they both smirk at her.

Reese is no rookie to this game.

“I meant there seems to be something off between you. He’s not staring at you with rose-colored glasses, and you’re not hanging on his arm like you’re actually worthy of a man of that status,” she says.

And their smirks are gone.

“Did you need something, Reese?” I ask, already exhausted by her. And honestly, I don’t want to do this right now. Today is supposed to be about Jamie. But leave it to my sister to make it about her.

“I’m just making conversation,” she says with feigned innocence. “Is it wrong of me to be concerned about my sister’s well-being?”

“It would be wrong if that’s what you were actually doing,” I say.

Reese’s eyebrows lift.

“Not today, Reese.”

She blinks at me. “Excuse me?”