Page 39 of Let's Call a Truce
“Lola, you’re sweet, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”
“Please,” she said with a hand clutched over her heart, like she was a benevolent god come to fix my life. “A woman like you deserves to be loved and taken care of.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t need to be taken care of. I have a good job and am up for a big promotion. My family’s happy.”
She waved her hand. “Pish,I know youcantake care of yourself. You girls today are so sensitive. I don’t mean take care of you with money, though it certainly doesn’t hurt.” She winked, and I smiled in spite of myself. “I mean someone who will be there to support you. We all deserve to be taken care of, and that’s what a relationship is about. You will take care of him just like he takes care of you.”
It was an oddly comforting thought, and I found my mind jumping to how well Jason and I had taken care of each other over the years. We had complemented each other well, our strengths lining up to perfectly support our family.
“But don’t worry,” she said. “I have been subtle, so you can decide if you like him with no pressure.” The woman was well into her eighties and wearing a bright neon dress covered with sequins. I wasn’t sure she knew the definition of subtle.
“Who did you have in mind?” I eyed her, curious about her choice, against my better judgment.
“My grandson, Marcus. He is Gabriela’s cousin and so handsome. I convinced her to pair you two up to walk down the aisle so you have an excuse to meet him. Oh, you’ll be so beautiful together! He is tall, and he’s a doctor. Very successful. And he always wanted children but never got around to settling down, so he will take on your daughters.”
“Wanting kids of your own and being willing to date a woman who already has kids are two very different things.”
She nodded pensively. “Very true, but I already know he is open to it.”
I forced in a deep breath. “How do you know this, Lola?”
“I asked him before I convinced Gabi to put you together.”
“So he knows your plan?”
“Of course he does! Why wouldn’t he?”
So much for subtle.I opted to ignore the conflicting statements and focus on getting out of her matchmaking scheme instead.
“Fine.” I hoped placating her would move her attention to someone else, at least temporarily. I turned back to the woman in front of me, who was using her magic makeup to transform me into the most beautiful version of myself. I focused on the feeling of the brushes and glimpses of the colors she was using, trying not to stress over the potentially disastrous embarrassment waiting for me at the church. The end result shocked me, the version of myself I always strived for but could never quite achieve with my makeup skills.
I moved to the next chair, letting the stylist straighten and then recurl my hair into long, romantic ringlets falling halfway down my back. She braided in flowers and ivy through a crown at the top of my head, keeping my hair off my face but leaving it soft everywhere else. As I looked over the final product, I wished they had been at my wedding.
Still in my robe, but ready otherwise, I moved over next to Gabriela. “Hi, friend!”
“What do you want?” She barely moved her face in an attempt to stay still for the makeup artist.
“Nothing. Can’t a girl visit with her best friend on her wedding day?” I feigned innocence as I fiddled with my robe. “But since we’re already talking, I was wondering if the pairs for the bridesmaids and groomsmen were set in stone.”
Gabriela turned quickly to me, her eyes bright and excited.I saw the makeup artist cringe, annoyed by the disruption but unable to say anything to the bride.
“Why? Is there someone you want to be paired with?”
“Kind of the opposite. Yourlolais setting me up with your cousin, Marcus, and she already told him. It’s going to be so awkward. Can you switch us?”
She patted my arm. “I’m sorry, honey. There is no stopping Lola when she gets an idea in her head. I wish I could, but the pairs are already printed in the program and given to the DJ to announce us at the reception. Maybe you can make the best of this. Marcus is a great guy!”
“God, you are all going to kill me. You, Sophie, Lola, and Dani should make a club. The Set Up Juliana to Death Club.” I slumped back into the chair dramatically. My pout would have made Sophie proud.
“You’re right. We should leave you alone—”
“Thank you.”
“—since you’re already in love with Ben.”
“Piss off.” I pushed off the chair.
“We’ll get you to admit it eventually,” she called after me, and I flipped her off without turning around.
