Page 20 of If the Suit Fits
“So romantic,” Anna obnoxiously sighs. She probably has ahand pressed to her heart and the other sweeping above her brow to add to her silliness. But I can’t know for sure, because Nick’s stare is all I see. “What kind of ring did you buy, Nick?”
“Diamond, of course.” He speaks to me. Smiles for me. “It’s a princess cut cluster with dozens of smaller diamonds creating a bed of roses for the main stone to sit upon. I had trouble choosing between yellow gold or white and spent hours at the jewelers trying to decide. But since you wear a yellow gold chain and earrings, I realized your preference and chose accordingly. Whatever ring I give you, I’d want it to be something you’d love to wear every day.”
“Say yes, Mel!” Anna dramatically swoons in my peripherals. “A thousand times, yes!”
“Get much work done?” Nick chuckles, his voice low, so I know it’s just for us. “You had the house to yourself, but you invited someone else over?”
“I had something important to discuss with her.” I hate that he’s so handsome. So attentive. So kind. I know it’s nothing more than a paid service, just like receiving agood dayand a friendly smile from the barista at the coffee shop is a paid service. But if I loosened the tight grip I keep on reality even a fraction, I could almost pretend his affections were real. “What was that thing you wanted to talk to me about? The thing you mentioned before leaving.”
“Oh, right.” He pops to his feet and drags me up with him, surprising a squeal from the depths of my throat and catching me with one arm wrapped around the small of my back when I teeter to the side. “Get dressed. We’re going to my abuela’s birthday party.”
“I’m sorry… I…” My head swims, and my stomach lurches. “What?”
“You could stay dressed how you are if you want since my family doesn’t judge. But it is a woman’s ninety-second birthday, and I can see your ribs. I’m not saying you can’t go like that, but I’m gently suggesting a shirt if only so you’re more comfortable.”
“Your abuela?” Why does my head spin? Why does my throat hurt? Maybe I’m sick! Maybe I can’t go. It would be terrible manners to pass germs onto an elderly lady. “No, I— That’syourgrandma. That’syourfamily thing.”
“Ourfamily thing.” He drops his hand, but only to circle my wrist, then he turns toward the back door and yanks me in. “They don’t know we’re not real, so consider this a trial run.”
“Nick! No?—”
“My mom’s excited to meet you. Anna,” he comes to a fast stop, catching me against his side when he glances back to address my friend. “You can come, too.”
Her entire face brightens with happiness. “Really?”
“Of course. My abuela would consider your presence a gift. Of all the places you could be tonight, spending your evening celebrating her would make her infinitely joyful. Come on.” He turns and keeps going. “You have thirty minutes to shower, do your hair, get dressed, and have your ass in my truck. Bringing extra guests is encouraged. Being late is punishable by la chancleta.”
NINE
NICK
“Stop fidgeting.” I slide out of the truck, pulling Mel out my door and forfeiting my good manners when Anna is forced to help herself on the other side. As much as I’d like to be a gentleman to all, Anna is confident and brave all on her own, and Mel looks like she’s about to puke.
So I choose my focus, and drape my arm over her shoulders, tucking her under my arm so she has no choice but to touch me.
“My home.” I stop at the end of the walkway and gesture toward the house I grew up in. Me, my mom, my sisters, and abuela. My dad was gone too soon, and my abeulo passed years before that. “A lot of estrogen in this house. I was the man for as long as I can remember.”
“That probably means they’re very protective of you, huh?” Anna comes up on Mel’s left, flashing a taunting smile in spite of her sickly friend. “This is gonna be a bloodbath.”
“Oh, God,” Mel groans. But at least she cuddles into my side. “I can’t handle this.”
“You’re causing stress where it’s not needed.” I reach across and press my palm to Anna’s smiling face. Then, holding Mel close, I start across the footpath and make a beeline for the front door. “You don’t have to worry so much, Princess. They’re excited to meet you. They think you’re the best female God put on this planet since that’s how I described you, and I told them how utterly and hopelessly in love with you I am.” I bring us to a stop at the door and search her eyes. “They think this is the real deal, so make sure you’re holding up your side of the act.”
“If I were yourrealgirlfriend, I’d still react exactly how I am right now.” She lays her free hand on her belly. “I’m terrified.”
“Relax.” I set my lips on her temple and chuckle at the sound of thundering footsteps in the hall inside. Steeling myself, I pin Mel close and force her to be attached to me when Elena opens the front door.
“Bello Lolo!” My sister screams, bursting through the door and wrapping herself around me—and Mel—and squeezing us in a noisy hug. “You’re home!”
“Pollita.” I smack a noisy kiss on her cheek, then again on the other side when she makes a show of turning and expecting it. Then I pull back before Mel dies of discomfort. “Elena Ramos.” I gesture to my girlfriend. “Melanie Hamilton.” Then I laugh and point to our third. “And her emotional support best friend, Anna.”
“Emotional support?” Elena tut-tuts and snatches Mel’s hand, holding it between hers and studying her newest victim. “We’re not that scary. It’s so lovely to meet you, Melanie. My brother has told me so much.” Then she looks at Anna. “He hasn’t mentioned you. But I’m certain it’s because he was so busy waxing lyrics about the one he loves.”
“I’m always the forgotten one,” Anna dramatically sighs. “Nobody cares about me.”
Pursing her lips, Elena fights the twitch working so hard to turn them into a smirk. Then she spins on her heels, her hand still securely wrapped around Mel’s, and yanks her through the door. “Mami! He’s here.”
“You’re a monster, you know that?” Anna sidles up on my left. “This was cruel and unusual punishment.”
