Page 3 of Rules of Engagement
"You can't let James destroy you."
"It's not just James and you know it. James was… James was just the icing on the proverbial wedding cake."
"Fine. Your parents' marriage was pretty awful."
"As was everyone else's in my family."
"I know, but that doesn't mean—"
"Maybe it does. Ever think of that? I'm sorry, butI thinkyou're delusional, Miss Matchmaker. These two?" she said, lowering her voice to a cautious whisper. "I give them six months andthat'sbeing generous."
"Eliza. That's awful."
"Hey, I've been doing this since I was sixteen with my first job as an event assistant. The rose-colored glasses have long since shattered, especially after all I've been through this past year. I've learned the signs, and trust me, they don't have it."
"What signs?"
"For one, he's twice her age."
"Sometimes those work."
"Andsometimesthey're because Flirty Child Bride broke up the first marriage. He was also in the bar last night with his hands all over a—"
"No need to continue," Marsali interrupted, lifting her hand toward Eliza. "I like my naive state where I can still believe in love. Don't ruin it for me."
Eliza chuckled at her sweet friend's expression and hooked their arms, tugging Marsali toward the bar. "That's because you're in love with love. And a Hollywood hottie."
"Stop it. I am not."
"Hmm. Lie to yourself if you like. Me? I see how you eye yourOllie."
"Shh. Keep your voice down," Marsali ordered, taking a quick glance around. "He has other friends here, you know."
"So you admit it?" Eliza asked.
"Absolutely not. Oliver is… a good friend. Who, I might add, lives in LA while I'm here. Besides that, he only sees me as Mac's little sister."
"Which is why Mac's little sister needs to focus on the release of her book in what? Three weeks?"
"Two. And thank you. But you're still cynical," Marsali muttered.
Eliza shifted her weight on her aching feet and wished once again the bride hadn't been so anti-sand. The hardwood floor wasn't nearly as forgiving, and she had several hours to go yet. "I'm realistic. Love gets most everyone to the altar, but it does nothing to keep them married. Or even in business together."
"That's called integrity—and commitment."
"No argument there."
"That's it. You're killing me. I am going to fix you up no matter how much you protest. I didn't like James because there were some red flags you chose to ignore."
Eliza flinched. "Ouch."
"You know it's true. And I'm not saying that to be cruel, but simply because you settled for less than you deserve," Marsali added.
"He… I…"
"Exactly. The right guy will never treat you the way James did, and I'm going to make it my mission to find a man who will make you realize that. From now on, you are going to let me match you."
Eliza stared up at her taller friend and shook her head wryly. After the devastating betrayal by James and watching her mother scrimp by between men and the financial support they offered, the last thing she ever wanted to do was fall in love and find herself vulnerable to a man again. "Wanna bet?"
