“Yes,” David repeated firmly. “We would love to. Let’s water this bad boy and get started.” David completely abandoned his friend and the tree and moved into the kitchen, leaving Dorsey to lift the whole thing inside the apartment. His shoulders flexed, and the soft material of his sweater lifted to expose a smooth abdomen with deep V cuts. Lord have mercy, this man comes with penis arrows? Liza looked around, but everyone was huddled around David as he rummaged in a messenger bag.

Granny offered David and Dorsey some leftover oxtails. David nodded and Granny shoved two plates on the table. “For you and your friend.”

But Dorsey was busy pulling the gigantic tree into the small living room. Everyone hovered over David eating oxtails, but the fools were missing the show of the century: Dorsey single-handedly dominating that immense tree and flashing those Olympic swimmer’s abs. Nothing was more interesting than this.

When the tree teetered, Liza rushed to steady it as Dorsey closed the clamps on the tree stand. The top branches of the tree bent under the low, yellowing ceiling and the fat branches obscured the television. But it was glorious. A bit grander than the surroundings, but so the fuck was she.

David cleared his plate of oxtails. “And before I forget, here are your formal tickets to the Pemberley anniversary ball, your plane tickets, and your hotel accommodations.” David handed everyone a ticket. “Yours was truly an excellent garden, Granny.”

“Thank you.” Granny beamed under his attention. He had finished her grandmother’s oxtails and complimented her garden. David was batting a thousand.

Liza rolled her eyes. “Yes, thank you for making our homes unaffordable. I’m sure this party should make up for it.”

If looks could kill, the one Bev shot Liza would have her cold in the morgue.

“We host our Garden Sweepstakes in all of our developments in nearly every neighborhood across the country. Your grandmother’s creative use of space and variety and health of her greenery beat out everyone, fair and square,” David said. It was the most serious tone Liza had ever heard him use.

“I’m not saying Granny didn’t deserve an award,” Liza said.

“Then what are you saying, Liza?” Bev asked tartly.

“And all of you are allowed a plus-one, so . . .” David continued awkwardly. “Except you.” He winked at Janae, who laughed that truly terrible laugh of hers. Everyone else in the room winced. God bless David if he could live with that laugh for the rest of his life.

“I know exactly who’s coming with me.” Bev spoke before Liza could say another thing. “The reverend is finally coming around, and I’m bringing him to Philly.” Bev thought for a minute. “But if we all get a plus-one . . . My word, that’s gotta be, what, ten thousand dollars for all of those people and the hotel and the food?”

“Momma,” Liza said under her breath, mortified.