Page 10 of Faking the Pass
“I hope I’m wrong,” she said, “but some of the catering staff were commenting about how arrogant and entitled he acted. He apparently really undertipped as well. And they said he sort of ignored Rosie all night while he chummed up with his director and producer friends. He toasted just about everyonebuther.”
A bitter wave of something that felt like anger swelled up inside me.
What the hell wasthatabout?
I hadn’t seen the girl in fifteen years. I’d never even met the guy. And their relationship was none of my business.
So why did I feel so protective suddenly?
Randy Ryland was probably just a highly focused guy who didn’t have time to spare for pleasantries. Several of my own former girlfriends would probably sayIwas an a-hole because I hadn’t given them the kind of time and attention they’d wanted from me.
But then I hadn’t proposed to any of them, had I?
Not even close.
And Rosie deserved the best. She was one of the sweetest girls I’d ever met. Crazy talented too.
I’d kept up with her career from afar, seen her in a couple of commercials, and sure, I’d admired her beauty. Who hadn’t?
And of course I’d been happy for her when the news came out about her big break, that she’d be co-starring with the great Randy Ryland in his upcoming romantic comedy film.
Like me, Rosie was going for it and achieving her dreams. Until this minute, I’d assumed she was getting everything she’d ever wanted, including true love.
Now I wasn’t too sure.
“How long have they been together?” I asked Jessica.
“I don’t really know any details, just what I read online,” she said. “Apparently it’s a whirlwind romance kind of thing. They pulled this massive wedding together really fast. He proposed on Oscar night. On TV. In front of nineteen million people.”
Dylan, who was walking around with Theo on his shoulders, snorted. “How romantic. No pressure there, right?”
“Well she’s a lovely girl from what I remember, and I’m happy for her,” Mom said.
She picked up my empty plate and carried it to the sink.
“Now we need to work on you two,” she said, eyeing me and Dylan. “I bought several mother-of-the-groom dresses for Wilder and Jessica’s wedding, and I want a chance to wear the others before they go out of style—or the menopause spread turns them into scarves.”
“Oh yeah, I’d be agreatmarriage candidate.” Dylan snickered. “Barely hanging onto my job with the Nauticals, making NFL minimum wage, oh—and with a sassy six year old as part of the package deal.”
Mom patted his shoulder. “You’re anexcellentcatch, and Lily is the most adorable little girl who ever lived. Any woman would consider herself lucky to have youboth.”
My brother rolled his eyes and bobbed his head, using a silly tone. “Thanks Mom.”
“Sanks Mom!” Theo echoed in his high baby-voice.
We all laughed, my nephew most of all.
“Have you ever considered that a wife might actuallyhelpwith your career? Not to mention be good for Lily,” Mom said.
She gestured toward the TV. “Take Rosie for instance. The fact that she and her co-star fell in love during filming and are now getting married is going to make that movie so much bigger than it would have been. It’s already making her a householdname. Marriage candoubleyour happiness and success, not halve it—ifit’s the right person.”
“Hear that, Pres?” Dylan called out. “Maybethat’swhat you need to win that eighth Super Bowl and be the G.O.A.T.—a wife.”
“I won’t be winning anything ever again unless I focus on rehabbing my shoulder.”
My tone sounded grouchier than I’d intended.
Yep, it was high time I got back to my own house where I could be alone and focus—away from other humans who required actual civility.
