Kenzie huffs. “I’m not being sensitive.” Another piece of turkey gets stabbed.

“You sure about that?” Katherine presses her lips into a thin line. “You don’t see your brother getting all upset when we ask him about his career.”

“No offense, Mom, but I’m not one of your consulting clients.” A green bean stabbed.

Her mum humphs. “Well, maybe you should be.”

Finn claps his hands. “Okay, anyone ready for a refill of wine? I’m going to grab another bottle from the kitchen.”

In unison, Kenzie, Zahra, and I raise our glasses.

Finn chuckles and walks into the kitchen. It’s silent around the table, other than the sound of forks and knives scraping against plates. When Finn returns, he’s holding a bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes.

The meal I just ate threatens to rush back up.

Finn sets the bottle and glasses on the table between his and Zahra’s seats.

“What’s this for?” she asks, eyebrows drawn in.

Rather than take his seat, Finn pushes his chair back a few feet and drops to his knee, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a glittering engagement ring. Zahra’s hand flies to her chest and she inhales deeply.

Despite wanting to look away, I force myself to watch as a good friend should.

“Zahra, I’ve never been happier than I have been since we met, and I don’t want to waste any time before I let you know that I want us to spend the rest of our lives together. Nothing could make me happier. Will you be my wife?”

I steal a glance at Kenzie and gone is the anxiety from earlier, replaced with a huge smile and a twinkle in her eye.

“Of course I will. Oh, Finn.” She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him in.

The rest of us clap, and as soon as Finn has slipped the ring onto Zahra’s finger, Kenzie is the first to get out of her chair.

“Congratulations, you guys.” Kenzie pulls her brother in for a hug, then does the same to Zahra. When they separate, she takes Zahra’s hand to check out the ring, then looks over her shoulder at Finn. “Good job, brother.”

I have to swallow a couple of times before I’m able to stand and offer them my congratulations. My jaw is tight as I hug Finn and give him a few pats on the back. “Congratulations, mate.”

He pulls back with a smile wider than the English Channel.

I’m happy for my friend, but it’s hard not to remember when I was the one who thought he had the world at his feet.

I give Zahra my best wishes.

“I have to call my parents!” Zahra’s hand is pressed to her heart as though it’s beating too fast.

“Let’s video call them together from my computer,” Finn says.