Page 39 of Fixed Up Ever After
“So you opened a bookstore, huh?” was Marisol’s only response. Her tone bordered on amusement and astonishment, sounding as if she didn’t see the value in what Lola was doing nor understand the concept of a passion project.
Because that was what the bookstore was to Lola. It was a way to turn something she loved into a full-time career. A place where she could spend her days lost in books and the customers. Where she could read to children and find the perfect book for anyone who walked through her door.
“You must send us some progress pictures. I would love to show some of my golf buddies the work you are doing. They were impressed to hear you starting on your own little entrepreneurial path,” Travis said, eyes glinting with pride. Marisol narrowed her eyes. Obviously, she had not been expecting that response from her father.
“Yes, you really must show us some progress photos. Such an interesting thing, a bookstore,” came a new voice. Everyone’s heads swiveled toward Archie. Javi felt Lola tense next to him and he felt his own body move closer to her, as if trying to shield her from the smug smile on Archie’s face.
Javi didn’t consider himself a violent person, but something about Archie made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He wanted nothing more than to put the man in his place, but he knew that would embarrass Lola and possibly get him kicked out of the wedding. He wasn’t willing to risk that.
“It’s admirable. We all have to start somewhere. It is hard to start new businesses these days; most end up failing. But I’m sure that won’t be the case with yours,” Archie said the last part as if it were an afterthought. Javi hadn’t realized he was clenching his hands into fists until he felt Lola’s hand covering them.
She was trying to comfort him when it should have been the other way around.
The rest of the table quieted until Travis and Archie launched into work talk about the upcoming grape season. None of it piqued his interest so Javi let his mind wander to Camilia and how much fun she was probably having with Ofelia. To the men back in California working under the watchful eye of Mona or Mattea. And finally to Lola, how she appeared so calm and collected, but how her family had caused an abundance of anxiety.
Their dinner saved him from reliving anymore from yesterday. He hadn’t remembered what he ordered until a large lamb chop was placed in front of him, with a veggie combo and a baked potato. His mouth salivated. Lola was given the same except instead of the baked potato, white rice was placed in a single mound on the plate.
Travis and Archie both received similar meat platters while Marisol and Luciana ordered a large salad with what looked to be apricots and almonds, along with a reddish vinaigrette. It didn’t appeal to Javi, but Luciana stared pointedly at Lola’s plate.
“Sweetheart, are you certain you ordered that?” she pried, even though they had all listened to Lola's order.
“Oh, no. Did I make a mistake?” their waiter asked.
Lola’s cheeks tinged red, signaling her mortification from her mother putting her on the spot once again. “No, no mistake. I ordered this.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind getting the correct order,” the man assured, not realizing he was making the situation worse.
“Looks right to me. Lola was always an…adventurous eater when we were together.” Archie commented and it took everything in Javi not to jump across the table and plant his fist between his eyes. His anger only flared when Luciana laughed, seeming to find his words charming rather than hurtful.
Javi saw the panic set in, the way all eyes were on her and how Lola slowly retreated back into her shell. He wouldn’t stand for it. “This is exactly what she ordered. Thank you.” His voice held a certain dismissal that could not be ignored.
The waiter seemed taken aback by his abrupt answer, but composed himself swiftly. “Of course. Enjoy your meal. Please let me know if you need anything,” he said and quickly made his way to a different table.
“Thank you.” Her voice came out low, barely above a whisper, but he caught the relief in her features. He, however, was far from relieved. Javi's body tensed up even more than it had been only moments ago. He felt like a too tightly wound rubber band that was about to snap at any moment.
How the fuck could she be so goddamn calm during all of this? How the hell did she grow up in a household that made belittling comments her entire childhood? If Javi had been subjected to that, he doubted he would be half as bubbly as Lola. Not when he carried so much hurt and trauma with him from the very people who should have loved him unconditionally.
His words should have been the end of it, but Luciana Roberts couldn’t read the fucking room and had to make one more comment, not knowing that Javi was seconds away from bursting. “Just remember you have a dress to fit into for your sister’s wedding. There wouldn’t be enough time to properly alter it now.”
Javi had enough and threw his hands down on the table. The glasses and silverware shook and everyone jumped to attention, staring at him with wide eyes and open mouths. “I have only met you guys twice and in that time you have done nothing but make offhanded comments about Lola.”
He knew he should stop. Knew that this wasn’t his place, but the lava within him had bubbled over and he couldn’t stop the flow now. “What gives you the right to police and comment on her body? Because frankly, Lola is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. That’s the least impressive thing about her though, because she also has a huge heart and anyone would be lucky enough to call her a friend. Which, you would know if you both stopped trying to tear her down for two goddamn seconds and got to know her.
“And you—” his eyes darkened, narrowing to slits, as he turned to Archie “—keep your unsolicited comments and dickhead behavior to yourself. You have no goddamn right to speak to or belittle my girl. Hell, you aren’t even worthy enough to be in the same room as her. I highly suggest you keep your mouth shut when she’s around.”
His passionate proclamation and threat were met with stunned silence. Everyone's faces had different degrees of astonishment, but then the spell broke and Luciana and Marisol began to sputter their retorts back at the same time.
“I never—”
“How dare—”
But Javi didn’t give a shit what they had to say. He turned to Lola, barely registering her expression, saying, “I need a moment.”
Wordlessly, Lola scooted out of the booth and Javi followed her. “I’m sorry,” he managed to say in passing, listening to the chaos he left in his wake. Perhaps he should turn around and apologize for his behavior. Maybe he made it worse for Lola, but going back now wouldn't repair anything. He would only make it worse. Better to beg for forgiveness later when his head was clear.
Javi stormed out, passing disgruntled patrons attempting to locate their seats. He thought he heard someone calling his name, but he didn’t dare look back. He didn’t stop until he was out of the restaurant and back at the elevators. He found a hallway that only led to bathrooms and hooked a right, using the space to pace back and forth, allowing his anger to dissipate.
Fuck, he blew it. He had always been a hothead when it came to people he cared deeply for and he tended to act first without thinking. If he was a better man, he would walk right back in and apologize and offer to give back the money. The money he needed, but didn’t deserve because he wasn’t upholding his end of the bargain.
