Sly chuckles. “Yeah, that might have been a slightly questionable decision on her part.”
“Well, I’m glad she didn’t give up on you because I wouldn’t have had this amazing dinner otherwise.” We look up to see Sisi walking toward our table. She wraps her arms around Sutton while he stays seated. She’s been at her own table tonight with her fiancé and their parents, but she’s made it a point to stop by a couple of times on her rounds.
“Cheers to that.” Grace raises a glass of champagne and everyone else at the table joins in on the toast.
“Wow, I’m right here guys,” Slade groans to the table. “What am I, chopped liver?”
“Yeah. You were a great sous-chef,” Sutton deadpans, rolling his eyes, and Sisi shoots him a playful look.
This type of sibling interaction is something I never had growing up as an only child, but it’s easy to tell how much they love each other. It’s also easy to tell why Sutton feels so obligated to help each of them.
“Yeah, your grandma wasn’t much for listening to our advice. We told her not to teach him that, but she didn’t listen.” Everyone at the table glances over to see Mr. Sterling standing behind Slade and Sly. It’s impossible to miss the resemblance of the three brothers and their father. For someone in his late fifties or early sixties, he’s tall and still imposing like his sons. He has the same distinct blue eyes and a wide, dimpled smile. When he grabs Slade’s shoulder and gives it a squeeze, I note the worn hands that remind me he works in the garage with Sly, or at least part of the time since Sutton said his arthritis has been getting worse recently. “Then again, I see why your sister never listens to us,” he says, laughing to himself.
Sisi lets go of Sutton and walks over to their dad, wrapping him up in a hug even tighter than the one she gave me earlier today. “That’s not true. I listen perfectly fine. I just don’t always do what you say.”
We all chuckle and Mr. Sterling shrugs. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess that’s fair.” He places a kiss on top of her head before looking at his middle son. “And thanks again, Sutton. The food was amazing.”
Sutton dips his chin and stands. The sound of Slade clearing his throat has all the eyes at the table turning to him. Their dad rolls his eyes. “And you too, Slade. Thanks for helping your brother.”
Slade mumbles something about 'having stars’ under hisbreath and Sutton gives him a brotherly slap on the back. “On that note, I need to go check on the desserts.” I watch him get up and head back over toward the food truck and the staging tables set up between it and the back of the house. This has been his routine all night—spend a few minutes with us each course, and spend the rest of the time making sure all the food is perfect.
I hear his siblings and even TJ and Grace continue to chat away and tell jokes, but I can’t take my eyes off of him as he walks away and into his parents’ kitchen. I see the way he’s done so much for all of them and, while I know they appreciate it, I don’t think they all realize the collective toll it has taken on him. He should be getting to enjoy this moment with them.
I excuse myself from the table and walk over to the food truck. Combined with his parents’ kitchen, he’s set up quite the operation for the night.
“Hey, thanks again for coming.” Footsteps from behind me get closer and a second later Sisi is at my side, beaming with a smile that instantly reminds me of Sutton’s.
“Thanks for inviting me. I’m glad I was able to make it.” I look around the backyard and take in the beautiful sunset. The purples and oranges on the horizon match the hues of the desert in the distance, and it's absolutely stunning. I smile back at her. “I’m glad I got to see his home. I can understand why he likes coming back here as much as he does.”
She snorts a laugh that borders on a girlish giggle. “Home? No. I love my brother and how much he insists on coming back to help, but this isn’t his home anymore.”
I tilt my head in confusion and she arches a knowing brow.
“He’s been coming back here almost every other week for two years. Every time he says he glad to be here…” She pops up on her toes to look over my shoulder to the kitchen door before she sighs and continues. “…but I can tell his heart’s not really in it anymore. It’s like he’s itching to get back to something—always bouncing his knee.”
I huff. “Oh my god, the knee bouncing. He’s terrible.”
“Yeah, right?” She laughs and nods rapidly. “My point is that his heart’s in Jackson, at least part of it. Ever since that first weekend he arrived, he hasn’t shut up about the town. And maybe the girl who he met his first night there too.” Her smile widens and she winks at me.
I don’t know what to do with that information. He hasn’t been shy about the fact he’s never stopped being interested in me, but hearing from his brother and sister that they’ve known about me for this long makes my chest feel tight and like there isn’t enough air.
Part of me wants to run into the house and throw myself at him, my stomach in knots over all the time I wasted. Instead I look back at Sisi and nod, sharing a silent exchange of gratitude with her.
“If you’re looking for gelato…” I turn to see Sutton walking up behind me, his deep voice sending heat up my neck.
“Oooo. Gelato!” Sisi bursts out, and Sutton’s eyes go wide when he sees his sister with me. The little red splotches on his cheeks make me giggle because I know exactly where he was going with that and I fully intend to ask him to finish that thought later.
“Oh,” he says, his mouth making an O when he stops in his tracks. “No gelato tonight. Sorry, just pie.” He holds up two trays, and the gentle summer breeze carries the scent of the miniature pies our way.
His sister claps her hands together. “Ah, these are perfect. Just what I wanted, like mini versions of Grandma’s favorite.”
He nods and sets the trays down on the table next to the food truck with all the serving utensils and plates.
“I was actually just coming to find you and help finish up dessert so you can go enjoy the rest of the party.”
“You don’t have to. I’ve got this,” he starts, but I shake my head.
“No, I want to.” I turn to Sisi. “Now go do bride stuff. I’ll have your brother over there soon enough.”