Chapter 9 Roxy
Roxy
I stare at Jamie as she puts on her best Theta Gamma Mu smile. I mean I know she’s got it in her. After all, she was my little sister and followed in my regal footsteps, becoming president of the chapter once I graduated. She knows how to fake it.
“You’re right, of course,” Jamie says, dropping her eyes to the original Spanish tile floor, no doubt admiring its sheen. “I apologize. It’s just, well, it, this place, has thrown me off. I can’t wait to meet Zach and Celeste.”
“That’s the spirit,” I say, relaxing a bit. Everything is perfect. Everything will be perfect. It must be. Zach is my only child. He picked Celeste, for some strange reason, and I’ve come to terms with his choice.
Besides, despite the rather unnerving but elegant setting, this is my chance to shine.
I want all the attention focused on me. I especially want Ryan to see me in command, and crushing it, with beauty and poise.
And I will, of course. Despite being way out here in the desert, everyone who is anyone will hear about this lavish weekend back home at the beach.
And then I’ll one-up myself with the official engagement party. I can’t wait.
They’ll all wonder how I pulled it all together, every last detail of this special weekend, knowing there are more parties, more celebrations, on a much grander scale to come for my son and his wife-to-be.
I’ve already tipped off the party and society pages of the magazines, and they’re waiting for photos.
And I’ll supply them, making sure I look the best. I’m excited for what’s to come too.
There will be over-the-top bridal showers, and a rehearsal dinner so grand it will take every guest’s breath away.
Yes, the rehearsal dinner should be Beth’s to plan, but I’m glad she cannot afford what I want to do. It’s all mine.
Do I already have an outfit for each occasion, each celebration?
Of course. For example, notice the bright orange Gucci dress I’m wearing now to welcome them, selected to match the Aperol spritz I hold in my hand.
This entire weekend will be my own private fashion show, for this deliciously jealous group of sisters.
They say the mother of the groom should wear beige and be quiet throughout the wedding process.
That color and that attitude do not suit me.
In this case, the mother of the bride will fade into the background.
Beth always has been in the background, even though she actually is more attractive than she thinks she is, with her natural dirty-blond hair and big brown eyes.
She has an innocent look that turned a lot of heads in college; she just didn’t notice them turning toward her.
I, for one, was not about to enlighten her and add to the already fierce competition back then.
I lead the boring ones and the rest of the party back into my gleaming new kitchen.
“Attention, everyone,” I say in my fabulous hostess voice, “we’re all here. Some of us unexpectedly. But it’s fine. The more the merrier. Let the party begin!”
I catch a look from my spoiled-rotten son, Zach, whom I love dearly. Oh, of course he’s pouting. He wants me to put the spotlight on him too. He has a few of his mom’s tendencies, I’ll admit, but mostly he’s just like his father. I wink at Zach.
“And cheers to Zach and his beautiful fiancée, Celeste, the reason we’re all gathered here this weekend,” I say.
Zach smiles at me. “Thanks, Mom. This place is amazing, Dad. We’re so excited to get this weekend started. Cheers!” He clinks his glass on Celeste’s and grins. He has his father’s smile, small teeth, poor boy. I glance at my husband. For some reason Ryan isn’t smiling, not at all.
I hurry over to his side. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong,” he says. “Let’s show them all to their rooms. I could use a break. You know I didn’t want them here but agreed to go along with it, for you. And for Sunny, I mean the memories, you know. And now they’re here, and it will be fine. It’s overwhelming. I need a break.”
“Memories are great, but these are our long-lost friends, our college buddies,” I say. “You should be happy to reconnect. Come on. Cheer up. All your hard work on this house, and now you have a captive audience eager to explore every room. You need to stick around, take us on a tour.”
From the look on his face, I can tell he’s not buying what I’m selling. And that, despite his assurances, something is wrong with him. He’s off.
“I have a call to make, so why don’t you show your guests around?
” he says before walking out of the kitchen.
So rude. I see a few of the guests watching his departure.
I paste on a smile. He’s acting like a baby.
I mean, we’re all here now. The weekend has started.
What could possibly be more important than getting our guests settled in?
Fortunately, before they all arrived, we reviewed which room to put each guest in, so I can settle them in myself.
Amelia is a surprise, but that’s what the pool house is for.
To house people you don’t want under your own roof.
Ha. She will not steal my thunder or ruin my event. That’s not going to happen.
I focus my attention back on Zach, my glorious son. His frown matches his father’s. He must have seen Ryan leave. So much for my perfect weekend.