Page 99 of My Infatuation with Isabella

I lean forward, placing my forearms on the counter. “You look...beautiful, but...I have to agree with dad. It’s a little weird.”

“In a good way?” she asks apprehensively.

“In agreatway.”

That seems to settle her nervousness because she lets out a slow breath. “Isabella helped me choose this one.”

“She’s got good taste,” Dad says. “Where is she anyway?”

“Dylan isn’t allowed to see her between dates, so she didn’t come in?”

“Oh, my God! Dana!” My mother’s high-pitched voice draws the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Thankfully, there are only four people there right now.

Dana immediately faces me. “Fifty bucks says she bawls her eyes out.”

“I’m not taking that bet. I’m with you on this one.”

She turns to my father. “Daddy?”

He looks past her to my mother walking over to us. “Nah, I think she’ll hold.”

They shake on it right before my mother spins Dana around to look at her. “You’re wearing a dress?”

“What’s the verdict, mom?” Dana asks, coating her voice in sugary sweetness.

“I think you look amazing.”

“And Isabella even let me drive back here.”

My mother is already on the cusp of being tearful but requires a bit of a push. “She did? You drove here? I’m so proud of you. And how was your day at the mall?”

“It was great! I bought another two dresses.”

“Are all of them black?”

“Yes, but one has some pink and yellow flowers on it. I also bought some makeup, but I don’t know how to apply any of it.”

“Honey, I can show you how to do all that.”

“Will you? That’ll be great, mom.”

Oh, she is milking this for everything it’s worth because Mom clasps her hand over her mouth to contain her excitement. My dad rolls his eyes before glancing at me with amusement.

“Mom, we should go shopping together sometime, you know...have a mother-daughter day.”

And that’s it. My mother folds like a cheap suit. She pulls Dana in for a tight hug as tears run down her cheeks. Dana gives my father a smug smile from over my mother’s shoulder and discreetly holds out her hand so he can slip her a fifty.

“You cheated,” Dad mouths, but she doesn’t care and just gives him an arrogant smile as she squeezes my mother tighter. “Dammit, Lorraine. You’re such a disappointment.”

She wipes the tears from her face, then looks up at my father. “I got played, didn’t I?”

“Like. A. Fiddle,” he replies.

She knows Dana meant every word, so it doesn’t bother her. “I have no regrets.”

“Well, you owe me fifty bucks, weakling.”

“How about I get you dessert instead?” she suggests, nodding her head toward one of the booths. He smiles, then she takes his hand, and they walk away.

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