Page 159 of Anti-Hero

Dad, Lili, Charlie, and Bash stand in unison when we enter the room.

“Finally, the respectful welcome I deserve,” I state.

Lili literally shoves me out of the way to reach Collins. “You’re an idiot, Kit.”

“Something we canallagree on,” Bash declares.

“No one looks back on their life and wishes they’d studied more, bro,” I retort, flicking the back of his head as I walk toward the couch.

“People who flunk out of school do.”

“Scotch, Kit?” Dad asks.

I take a seat on the couch. “I’m good, thanks,” I answer, glancing at Collins.

She’s whispering with Lili.

Bash raises an eyebrow. “You sick or something?”

“I’m driving,” I retort. “And”—I glance at Collins—“being supportive.”

Bash rolls his eyes, but Dad looks proud. He’s made a real effort this past week to make up for his initial reaction.

I apologized too. Because if I’d heard about the facts of the situation, with no personal investment, I’d probably have done more than suggest an NDA. And because I should have told my dad sooner so he didn’t have to find out from a box.

Which reminds me, I really need to assemble the crib. I fell asleep reading the instructions last night.

Collins takes a seat next to me as I’m fixing a plate of the hors d’oeuvres set out on the coffee table.

I add a couple more cubes of cheese and hold it out to her. “Hungry?”

“Thanks,” she says, taking it.

I give her knee a quick squeeze before picking up a second plate for myself.

Drinks get served—Collins and I both opt for water—and then a brief pause falls.

Maybe I wastoofirm about the off-limits topics. I didn’t want my family to stress or overwhelm Collins, so I was overinclusive on the list.

“How’s the law firm going?” Lili asks between sips of wine, breaking the silence.

I decide I won’t berate my sister later for telling Collins about myfight with Dad over the NDA.

“It’s good,” Collins replies. “My first deposition is in a couple of weeks. And I have my own office.”

“It’s a nice office,” Dad comments.

Collins smiles at him.

“Well,anythinghas to be better than being camped outside of Kit’s,” Lili says.

Bash laughs.

“How are your parents doing, Collins?” Mom asks.

“They’re good, thanks. Both still teaching. My sister’s about to graduate in the spring.”

“That’s wonderful.”

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