3 #3
Juliet’s face glows. “I’m pregnant!”
The Silva family cheers again as my jaw drops. I look around the room, but suspiciously no one is as surprised as I am.
“Why am I the last to hear?” I grouse.
Lisa reaches over and grabs my hand. “It slipped this morning after you left,” she explains.
Juliet looks apologetic. “We stopped by to return your mom’s Tupperware before my appointment with my OB and your mom put two and two together.
” I glance at my mom and Tita Pinky, whose eyes are glazed over with pride.
My chest hollows thinking about my beautiful, amazing cousin.
She must’ve been bursting to share the news with me at the bookstore but kept silent, choosing instead to console me.
“Congratulations. I’m so happy for you two.” I squeeze Juliet’s hand feeling genuinely happy, but also genuinely melting inside from the highs and lows of today.
“I know, Mimi.” She pulls me into a hug as my eyes start to pool with tears. In addition to shock, I feel guilty for comparing my own lonely situation with her happy one.
Juliet squeezes my hand. “I started feeling queasy after lunch today, so I think it’s best if I don’t go to a loud bar.
” I nod with complete understanding. If I learned I was pregnant, I would want to stay home, too, snuggled up with family and my partner.
“But I can still help you get ready,” she offers, then whispers in my ear.
“You’re gonna be fire tonight. You’ll have no problem meeting someone. ”
My eyes still brimming with tears, all I can do is nod. I wish I had her confidence.
A hand taps me hard on the shoulder. I look up and meet my sister’s determined face. “Can I borrow you a second?”
I exchange looks with Juliet. “Anything you say to me, you can say to her.”
Wit Wit shakes her head. “BBFFs. I know,” she snarks. “Come on.”
Juliet and I follow Wit Wit into the formal dining room across the hall. I glance nervously at my cousin, but instead of looking concerned she has a “listen to her” face. I sigh.
Meanwhile, my sister holds up her phone. “I have the perfect guy—”
“Whoa,” I interrupt, heat flashing across my cheeks.
“Wit, the last guy you set me up with still owes me twenty dollars.” It’s true—the guy conveniently left his wallet at home, which was especially upsetting given that he was an accountant.
You’d think he’d have better control of his money.
The only good part of that afternoon was my discovery of a new eggnog custard latte, which practically went viral when I posted about it.
That aside, I’m not excited for another sister setup.
True to her style, Wit ignores me and continues. “He’s cute and nice and—” She rolls her eyes. “And I think he qualifies for that STAR-Bae system you have going on.”
I laugh, taken back at her reference to the high school dating barometer that Olivia and even the ever-perfect Brooke used. Six-pack, tall, amazing kisser, rich. We stopped using that list long ago.
My sister continues. “And he’s stable.”
I frown. “Boring, you mean he’s boring.”
Wit Wit’s eyes widen. “Don’t be mean, Mimi.” She waves her phone. “He’s free tomorrow for our dinner and tonight. He can meet you at the bar.”
Tonight? I hesitate. “Why isn’t he with his family? What does he do?”
“He’s new to town.” She exhales loudly. “He’s mine and Tita Pinky’s dentist.”
I glance at my cousin, who looks like she’s watching one of her favorite reality dating shows. I shake my head. “A dentist? Really, Wit? With the amount of sweets I ingest daily, I’d rather date your accountant again. Bonus, maybe he’ll refund me my twenty dollars back.”
My sister does not look amused. “You needed a guy for tomorrow night. He’s available. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Juliet punches my arm. “Why not give him a chance,” she says. “Who knows where it can go?” Spoken like her former-cheerleader self.
I bite my lip, trying to hold back both the nerves and the impossible hope creeping up my throat. At minimum, he’s a guaranteed seat at Mom’s dinner table. I eyeball the Ten Lords a Leaping plate setting on the table.
“Does his name start with an L?” I ask half-jokingly. This would be convenient given Mom’s monogrammed stocking.
Wit Wit thrusts her phone at me with a determined clench of her chin. “Of course he does, Mimi. I’m always two steps ahead.” She holds up her screen and shows me the contact for “Dr. Leo.”
Juliet gasps and calls her a mastermind. But that’s just my big, always-prepared sister. If only I had half her initiative.
I exhale loudly, but my mind has already started racing with this new possibility.
“Okay,” I say with a firm nod. Then I turn to Juliet, squeeze her hands, and level her with a look like I’m about to trek into the treacherous Yuletide Court.
“Put your feet up, cousin, and take care of that little bun of yours. I have a date with a dentist.” And then I lean in and grin at my sister. “And if that doesn’t work out, there’s always the stripper.”
“What?” Juliet chokes.
“Nothing,” I say at the same time as Wit Wit.