"Well, I didn’t know that we had this tablecloth on. Don’t be difficult. It’s just the placemats. It’s not like you have to walk ten miles." Having imparted her sage advice, Christine finally turns to leave. "And Ashley," I stare blankly at her. "Some of those plates seem chipped. Use the new set."

Somehow, I manage not to scream.

When the doorbell rings, Kyla and Ben shoot up out of nowhere and race for the door. Christine follows sedately, emanating regal elegance. Aiden runs his fingers through his hair and is nearly trampled over by Waldo who smells like— shaving cream? Talise gives the sigh of the damned. Joe realizes that he has to shower and plods as quickly as he can upstairs.

I have no idea what to do. Does one night make us friends for life? How am I supposed to greet her? By the time I shuffle into the foyer, the Carlins are all inside and while almost everyone is wearing their it’s-nice-to-meet-you smiles, Talise is scowling. I follow her glare to a blond boy.

In fact, the blond boy. The lotion blond boy.

Who happens to be Spencer’s brother Glen Carlin.

Fantastic.

"We’ll all have such a wonderful evening together," my mother assures us.

Spencer spots me before I can mutter something along the lines of "yeah right" under my breath. I smile, and she waves. Out of nowhere, Kyla’s all over her and trying to take everybody’s coat. Ben looks ridiculous trying to help people take off their shoes. Meanwhile, Aiden calmly approaches Mr. and Mrs. Carlin and respectfully shakes their hands.

"Let’s all move to the dining room, shall we?" Christine suggests.

Kyla basically drags Spencer into the dining room.

"I have to use the bathroom," Spencer half-shouts and darts off to safety.

In the meantime, Kyla and Ben begin running around the dining room, trying to block any chance of Spencer sitting with the other person while shoving the rest of us out of the chairs we are about to sit in.

"Kyla, Benjamin!" Christine chides in her stern mother voice. "Please allow the Carlins to take their seats and stop galloping around."

Demurely, the two take their seats opposite each other, next to Christine and Joe. There’s no way I’m going to sit near Kyla and Ben tonight. They’ll spend the entire night kicking each other (and anyone else caught in the crossfire) underneath the table.