Page 46 of Take My Love
“I’m gettin’ one in an hour, actually.”
My other two sisters, Sabrina and Corinne, come for lunch along with a few of their kids. Mom called for a family luncheon so we can discuss the tragedy that is my life.
“Have you talked to Aundrea since it happened?” Sabrina asks while we eat.
“She texted on Sunday before I left to leave her keys on the counter and that’s it.”
“Her family wrote a post on your engagement website that it was canceled due to a mutual split,” Corinne says, curling her lip in annoyance. “Mutual, my ass.”
“Corinne, language,” Mama scolds, nodding her head toward the kids.
Corinne’s only two years older than me, so we’ve always been closer, but she made it clear months ago she didn’t like Aundrea.
“I think she had a side piece,” Sabrina says. “It’s already goin’ ’round that she’s datin’ another guy.”
“Who?” I ask.
“Some suit from Knoxville.”
I scoff. “Probably an investor her dad knows. I wouldn’t be shocked.”
“An even better reason to move on,” Mom exclaims.
“It’s only been a week,” Celeste reminds her. “Give him time.”
“Thanks,” I mouth to her when my mom continues talking about how I’m too good for a woman like Aundrea.
“He’s livin’ with Posey now.”
“Warren’s sister? She’s adorable.” Sabrina grins, reaching across the table to swipe a butter knife out of Henry’s hand after he swung it around like a magic wand. “Is she single?”
“Uhh…yes, but?—”
“You two would be cute together!” Corinne gushes, putting mashed potatoes on a fork to spoonfeed Nico who spits it right out.
Looking at my family, it’s pure chaos, but I’ve never known anything else so it’s almost comforting.
“We’re just roommates,” I repeat for the second time. “We agreed to keep things platonic.”
“Why?” Celeste asks. “Do y’all have history or somethin’?”
When I stay quiet, my mom and sisters stop what they’re doing and all stare at me.
“What?You never told me!” Corinne shouts, throwing a piece of broccoli my way. Daniella, my five-year-old niece, picks it up and throws it at her little brother.
“No throwin’ food!” Sabrina catches it midair.
I’d laugh if everyone’s attention wasn’t on me again.
“It was a long time ago, okay? It was one time.”
Their jaws drop and Mama’s eyes brighten with ideas.
“But we’re only friends now.”
“Give it time…” Sabrina snickers. “I wasfriendswith Reid once upon a time too.”
“We’re goin’ to Honky’s tonight to be each other’s wingmen, so don’t get your hopes up.”
