“Yikes.” I scrunch my nose. “Let’s not.”
“Let’s yes! Your birthday is this weekend, and you’re going to have a bouncy castle!”
“I’m not a very bouncy person.”
“And this weekend your brother will be gone, Ana,” Mick says. Alex’s fork clicks against his plate. Something shifts, and the silence in the room is suddenly tense as Lowe chews his meatloaf.
“Feel free to have the party without me,” he says once he’s swallowed, with the calm, effortless tone of someone who knows that every word of his is law. Then, with a conspiratorial wink at Ana: “Take pictures of Miresy bouncing.”
She nods enthusiastically as Mick offers, “Or you could cancel.”
Lowe sips on his water and doesn’t reply, but it’s clear that this conversation has been ongoing for a while.
“At least take Cal with you—”
“Cal
