Page 15

“So what are we talking about?” she asked as she slid back into her chair, laying the napkin back over her lap.

“Bridesmaids,” Dad said as he picked up his champagne flute and took a sip.

Mandy scrunched her brows. “Who’s getting married?”

“No, not like that, honey,” Mom said. “The movie with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig.”

Mandy nodded. She’d heard about it, but with finals and everything, she hadn’t had time to go, though she had wanted to. “Isn’t that like the girl version ofThe Hangover?” she asked.

“Yes, exactly.” Mom slapped her hand on the table. “Which I went to with your father, and so I think he should go to this movie with me.”

“And you don’t want to see it?” Mandy asked Dad.

“That’s not what I said. I just suggested your mother might have more fun going with some of her girlfriends is all.”

Mandy and Mom exchanged a glance. “So exactly what I said then.” Usually, Mandy was all about team Dad, but tonight he was being ridiculous. “It looks really funny. Plus, you love popcorn.” It was because of Dad that Mandy knew the best way to eat movie theater popcorn—extra butter with M&M’s mixed in. Salty and sweet—the perfect combination.

“I’m sure it will be,” Dad reasoned.

“Then why won’t you take me to see it?” Mom prodded.

“You think you’re going to be the only guy there, is that it?” Mandy asked.

“It just seems better suited for a female audience is all.” Dad’s cheeks got red.

“Why do men think that movies for women aren’t as good?” Mom’s cheeks were also getting red.

“I think we should all go.” Maybe it was the tequila talking but, at the moment, sitting in a dark room stuffing her face with buttery deliciousness didn’t sound half-bad.

“That’s a great idea.” Mom rubbed Mandy’s arm. “What do you say? Family movie night?”

Dad glanced back and forth between Mandy and Mom. “Now how can a man say no to going out with his two favorite girls?”

“Good answer, Dad.”

Mom winked at Mandy.

“I think you’re going to like it,” Mandy added.

“I’m sure I will.” Dad drained his champagne and gave himself a refill.

“We should wear coordinated outfits too.” Oh, it was definitely the tequila, because Mandy was poking the bear. But sometimes teasing Dad was just fun. It wasn’t often Mom and Mandy were on the same side, and Dad was being really silly about the whole thing. He’d go and he’d laugh, and he’d have a great time—sometimes he just needed an extra nudge.

“Yes, perfect,” Mom chimed in. “We could all wear pink like in the movie poster.”

Now Mandy winked at Dad. He smirked back, acknowledging he knew what she was doing.

“Sounds like a great idea, love,” he said to Mom.

Mandy laughed. “Can you pass the bread?”

“This bread is so delicious, isn’t it?” Mom said.

The two of them each took a slice, and Mandy slid the plate of olive oil with balsamic vinegar between them so they could share. That was another thing Mandy and Mom could agree on—their love of carbohydrates.

“Maybe we can get some loaves to take home,” Mandy said.

“Another great idea,” Mom replied.