Chapter 2 Lisa
LISA
Mama Soto’s attempt at curing Rafael might have almost accidently killed him, but Lisa wanted to purposely kill her mother.
Or at least banish her to a deserted island without any means of communication.
The woman was enough to send the tamest bride into bridezilla territory.
And they weren’t even in the same state yet.
Although, even from a deserted island, Mom might still be able to send passive-aggressive messages.
She sent them via any instrument—phone, email, text—any medium would do.
If she and Rafael were to get snowed in as Stone and Pepper had when they came out to Emerson Pass to scope out the wedding venues, she might have sent smoke signals in her biting, sharp tone, perhaps in the shape of the middle finger.
For the hundredth time, she reminded herself that this was supposed to be fun. Dwelling on her mother would only allow her to ruin everything. She would not give her that power.
She focused on now. They were on their way to Emerson Pass from Denver in a cozy SUV.
Stone was driving, with Pepper beside him in the front passenger seat.
Lisa sat with Rafael in the back seat. He hadn’t taken his hand from hers since they’d begun the climb toward the mountains.
The landscape out the window was draped in white, but the cloudless sky shone a bright blue.
“It’s so Christmassy,” Lisa said.
“That’s what we need. Christmas music,” Pepper said as she picked up her phone.
A minute later, they were rocking around the Christmas tree with Brenda Lee.
Lisa settled against Rafael’s shoulder and gazed out at the breathtaking views, feeling warm and festive and grateful.
Then, from her phone in her purse, the sound of a text interrupted Brenda’s last chorus.
That was her mother’s text tone. Festive mood evaporated.
From her mother:
Call me. I need to talk to you about this makeup situation.
Lisa responded:
I can’t talk right now. I’m in the car.
Pepper’s face appeared from around the front seat. “What does she want?”
“How did you know it was my mom?”
“The bullhorn text alert was a dead giveaway,” Pepper said.
“As were your fingers pounding against the surface of the phone,” Rafael said.
Another text from Mom:
Why can’t you talk in the car? You’re not driving, are you?
Lisa set her phone in the cup holder next to her seat.
“She’s upset because she wants her hair and makeup done for the wedding.
Which is completely contrary to what she said when I booked the team for us.
She could do her own face, and her hair always looks better when she does it herself, thank you very much.
She said she wanted to look like herself in the photos, not some harlot. ”
Stone laughed. “Harlot? Did she really use that word?”
“She did,” Lisa said. “And now she’s changed her mind.”
“Why?” Rafael asked.
“I’m assuming it’s because she found out Mama Soto and Ria are having theirs done.
” Lisa didn’t think. She knew. She’d known it the minute Mama Soto had mentioned yesterday that she and Mom had chatted over the phone about wedding details.
Mom wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of the others getting something she wasn’t.
Without even talking to her, Lisa knew exactly how her mother’s thought process had unfolded.
There should be equal treatment of mothers.
If Mama Soto is having hers done, then for goodness’ sake, I should have mine done as well.
I’m the mother of the bride. And Ria isn’t even related to Rafael.
Lisa could almost hear Mom ranting to her father after she’d already convinced herself that she’d been wronged.
“I mean, really. Who is this Ria person? She’s not even related to Rafael. ”
Her father would have replied something like, “Dear, don’t fret. And Ria’s a close family friend—like an aunt to Rafael.”
“A pretend aunt? A pretend aunt gets the full Hollywood treatment and not me?”
“You told Lisa you didn’t want it.”
She blinked away this imaginary conversation when her phone buzzed again. Cringing, she glanced at the screen.
Hello???? Are you there???
“So now she’s bugging me to see if I can get the team to sneak her in,” Lisa said. “Pepper, this exchange is reminding me why I had to have you take over the wedding. Someone might have been dead by this point.”
Pepper clucked her tongue. “Don’t worry, sweetie.” She turned back to face the front as she tapped Stone on the shoulder. “Stone and I will take care of everything.”
Stone raised his gaze to the rearview mirror and shot her a sympathetic look. “Don’t let her ruin this for you.”
“He’s right, honey. This is about us,” Rafael said. “And we have Pepper Shaker to keep her in line.”
Pepper’s head reappeared from the front seat. She flashed an evil grin. “I knew I had a purpose in this life.”
Lisa gave them all a smile to reassure them she was fine.
Even though right this minute she wished they’d eloped in Vegas.
Guilt nudged that thought aside. To deprive Rafael’s mom and Lisa’s best friends, Pepper and Maggie, of a wedding would have been completely selfish.
Still. She was tired already, and her mother wasn’t even in the same state. Yet. Four more hours and she would be.
She jumped when her phone rang with a call. “It’s her. Hang on.” She pushed the accept button, then put it on speaker. “Hi, Mom.”
“Lisa, I’ve been waiting for a text back from you for like five minutes. Nothing but crickets.”
“Sorry. What do you need?”
“I need a status on the hair and makeup team.” This was her impatient mixed with why are you such an idiot tone. In the background, Lisa could hear the voice of an airline employee over the loudspeaker, announcing flight information.
“I haven’t heard back from her. I’ll let you know when I do.”
“All right. Well, I’m about to get on the plane.
I’m going to worry about this the entire flight.
Why didn’t you tell me I’d be the only one in the wedding party without professionally done hair and makeup?
I’ll look like a hick. And I’m the mother of the bride.
” The last four words were given great emphasis.
“Mom, it’ll be fine. You can have my appointment. Pepper and Maggie can help me with my hair and makeup like the old days.”
Pepper’s head whipped back around the seat. She mouthed, “No.”
“That’s not an option. You have to have your hair and makeup done,” Mom said. “These pictures will be the only thing you’ll have after the big day. You don’t want to look washed out like you did on that talk show the other day. Especially next to Rafael’s dark skin.”
Lisa didn’t say anything, other than to exchange a look with Rafael. He tightened his grip on her hand.
“I called David three times this morning and couldn’t get him,” Mom said.
“He was on the same flight as us. He’ll be there by the time you arrive,” Lisa said.
“Why isn’t he with you in the car?”
“I told you Maggie and Jackson brought their nanny. She’s helping with Lily and David’s kids, so the adults can enjoy themselves.”
“How is he affording that?” Mom asked.
“Maggie pays the nanny a salary.”
With two toddlers and a four-year-old coming on the trip, Maggie had suggested it would be easier for David if he had help with the kids and offered to share her nanny with him.
Lisa had wanted to cry in gratitude when she offered.
Since David’s wife had been killed last summer, he rarely had any time to himself, let alone a night to have fun and let loose a little.
“I’m sure the kids won’t know me,” Mom said.
“It’s only been four months. They might.”
“I’m warning you right now that I plan to have a heart-to-heart with David this weekend. He needs to come home.”
“Go for it,” Lisa said, already exhausted. “I have to go now. Have a good flight.”
Without a second of pause, Mom continued. “How is Rafael’s mother getting there?”
“Our friends Trey and Nico are with them on a flight this afternoon.” They’d offered to fly with the older ladies and drive them up to Emerson Pass from Denver.
“Fine. I’ll call you the minute we land. Your father made the rental car arrangements, so who knows if we’ll have an appropriate car for all that snow. Having it in the middle of nowhere is so like you. Making it difficult for everyone else.”
“Bye, Mom.” She hung up before her mother said anything else. Fighting tears, she looked out the window, breathing through the pain.
“I always forget how awful she really is,” Pepper said softly. “Or has she gotten worse?”
“She’s gotten worse.” Lisa couldn’t keep the tears out of her voice. “Since everything with David, she’s even more mad at me. Plus, I didn’t let her take over the wedding. She’s lost control, and she doesn’t like it. I can tell she’s going to make everyone miserable for the next four days.”
“Not us,” Pepper said. “We’re going to have the most magical weekend ever.”
“We have everything planned,” Stone said. “Down to the last detail. My fiancée did an amazing job.”
Pepper beamed up at him. “We did it together.”
“We’re grateful for all your hard work,” Rafael said. “And I for one am excited for every moment.”
Pepper’s face appeared between the seats once more. “I cannot wait to see my best friend walk down the aisle. Rafael, when you see Lisa coming toward you in that dress, just hang on to Stone when your knees buckle.”
“He’s a former Navy SEAL,” Lisa said, laughing. “I don’t think the sight of me in my dress is going to take him down.”
“Trust me, Stardust,” Rafael said as he brought Lisa’s hand to his mouth. “You already took me down the moment I met you. Seeing you in that dress might be the end of me.”