Work has been crazy busy for the past month and I have been seeing a lot of Enzo. Tonight is my brother and Claire’s official engagement party. I don’t want to attend but I wouldn’t do that to Eddie. With both our parents gone, we only have each other. One good thing though is I have a sexy date to bring with me for once. I’m usually Darin’s date when he’s between bed hopping. He called me to coordinate me picking him up from the airport; he’s flying in. It felt slightly empowering to tell him that I already had plans.
His voice deflated but that was just too bad too sad. I have always been his backup plan, because I never had steady men in my life. I didn’t lose my virginity until I was twenty-one to some frat guy and that was only because I was part of his “pledge haze.” I was humiliated but none of that matters now. I have Enzo in my life and he’s kind of perfect.
I’m nervous though. He’s the first guy I am introducing to Eddie. It’s as nerve racking as it would be if I were introducing him to my father. I love and respect my brother a lot. It would kill me if they don’t get along. Tonight is also the first time I will have seen Claire bear as my brother calls her in months. I avoid her at all cost. She is like every mean girl I have ever known rolled into one. Eddie doesn’t see it, but he also doesn’t hear the nasty shit she says to me when he isn’t around. Sure, I could tell Eddie but he’d only get mad at me. He has always been that way. He’s the type to shoot the messenger because in his eyes she is a goddess.
Spinning around, I check out my reflection in the full-length mirror that I have in my bedroom. It was my mother’s. I used to love watching her get dressed for the charity banquets her and my dad would attend for the hospital. Remembering her is hard. I miss her terribly. She always told me how beautiful I was and coming from her I always trusted in her words. She had that something that made you know she was a genuine person.
I get my facial features from my mom but she was half my size. My dad always said I took after his family, but I never met any of them. Whether by his choice or not I still don’t know. No one called or visited when he passed away. Although Eddie and I didn’t know who to call if anyone.
In this black form fitting dress, I feel beautiful. Admittedly my cleavage is a bit much but I am hoping my matching black sheer wrap will camouflage the girls some. I’m meeting Enzo at his place because the dinner is at some hotel downtown Claire’s parents reserved.
Stepping into my shoes I smooth my hand over my hair. I have it styled in the classic Marilyn Monroe glamour look.
When I am getting out of my car at Enzo’s I see Darin getting into his car. He does looking smashingly handsome in his heather grey suit. When he sees me, he shoves his keys back in his pocket and starts in my direction.
“Faye. Wow…” he breathes out, shaking his head. “You’re beautiful.”
“You think so?” I turn sideways looking myself over and it doesn’t escape my notice the way his eyes linger on me. Warmth pools in my belly and I am not sure what to make of him staring at me like that.
“You better save me a dance.”
“Since when do you dance?” I tease him remembering him freaking about having to dance at prom when he was in high school.
“Since you started wearing dresses like that.” Heat flares in his eyes but before more can be said Enzo is joining us. I can’t believe it. He isn’t sporting his famous beanie. His dark hair is styled in a tousled fashion and he could use a shave but it gives him a rough edge next to Darin’s clean-cut appearance.
“Hey man, trying to steal my date away?” He jokes and kisses my cheek.
“Can’t steal what’s always been mine,” Darin tells him and I gasp. What’s he doing?
“Is there a problem here?” Enzo asks looking at me.
“No problem. Darin is only teasing. He’s my boss and my brother’s best man.” My cheeks redden and I narrow my eyes at Darin wondering what in the hell he is doing. Is he trying to scare off the one man who has shown an interest in me? Why is he being a jerk right now?
He slaps Enzo on the arm and grins. “Just giving Faye here shit. I’ll see you two at the party that is unless you’d like to ride together.”
“No,” I say at the same time Enzo says, “Sure.”
“Good. I’ll drive,” Darin offers and I don’t get a chance to protest. Enzo is taking my hand and urging me over to Darin’s car.
This is going to be fun. Not. I move to get in the backseat with my date when Darin says, “Faye you should ride up front. I’m afraid there won’t be any room back there. You know I have to have my seat reclined far back.”
I narrow my eyes on him but Enzo squeezes my hand and assures me it’s fine.
Huffing and puffing to display my annoyance I get in and Darin smiles at me. I want to knock him up side his smug head. Why is he doing this to me?
The drive to the party doesn’t go any better. Darin is questioning Enzo as if he is interviewing him.
“So, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a freelance photographer but I mostly work with travel blogs,” Enzo answers curtly. I can tell by his tone he is beginning to grow annoyed with Darin as well.
“Ah a traveling man. I do some traveling myself. Maybe we can employ your services when we update our website and portfolio. Faye, I am sure has all of your contact information.”
“Darin, can we not discuss work,” I implore him.
“What are your intentions with my sweet Faye? I only ask because…well, she is highly valuable to me and I look out for her.”
“Darin! Stop it!” I snap at him having had enough.
“No, it’s perfectly fine,” Enzo calls from the backseat. “I can’t blame him. We are casually dating.” Enzo’s words hurt me, I thought we were more than casual by now.
“So, nothing too serious then?” Darin pushes and I wish I could melt into my seat.
“We’ll see,” Enzo answers tensely.
Thankfully I am saved from further humiliation when we arrive at our destination. I am practically jumping from the car before the wheels stop.
Enzo follows me and while Darin parks I apologize profusely. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why he is being like this. He’s not normally so invasive and involved.”
“Faye, relax. It’s cool. You’re important to him. He is just making sure I’m not taking advantage of you. And I think he has a thing for you.”
My breath catches in my throat. “No, he um is like a brother to me really.”
“Well, see. He’s just protecting you from the big bad hot photographer.” He winks. “Shall we get this over with. If that was the best friend I am almost afraid to see what your brother will throw at me,” he teases. At least I hope he is.
Eddie will be protective but not a jerk.
Inside once I show my invitation we are shown into the ballroom that has been transformed into a gorgeous dining room. There is even a fountain in the center of the room with live swans floating in it. The round tables are covered in white lines with ornate floral centerpieces. Her parents probably spent more paying for this party than I make in a year. I don’t know how Eddie can compete and top them with a wedding of this scale. I spent three hundred dollars on this dress on sale and I still feel out of place.
Enzo squeezes my hand and murmurs in my ear, “Everyone here is enraptured by your beauty. You are so damn stunning. I can’t wait to slowly peel that dress from you.”
Blush stains my cheeks. “Enzo,” I whisper his name feeling not embarrassed but bashful I suppose. “There’s my brother.” Eddie and Claire are standing near the fountain. Eddie looks so handsome with his hair slicked back in a low ponytail. Claire looks as though she were cut out of a high fashion magazine–––so plastic and perfect. I nearly gag at the sight of her fake smile as we approach the happy couple.
Something passes across Enzo’s face but before I can think much of it I am being swallowed in a bear hug from Eddie. “Save me, Muffin,” he whispers in my ear nearly squeezing the life out of me. I don’t know how he does it…pretends for Claire that he enjoys this big scene.
“Eddie, this is my date, Enzo.”
They shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Claire smiles at me. My stomach turns as she greets me, air kissing both my cheeks. “Faye, darling. You look great. You are simply glowing.”
“You look beautiful as always,” I tell her.
“I’m gonna get this guy a beer,” my brother announces stealing Enzo away and leaving me on my own with this bitch.
“Hurry back. I miss you already,” she coos after him.
I smile and try to think of something nice to say to her. “The décor is beautiful.”
Her eyes narrow into slits like that of a wild jungle cat stalking its next meal. Her hand goes to my stomach. “Is this why you’re glowing? I don’t know if we will have time to make so many alterations to your bridesmaid dress.” She feigns shock and I grab her twig of a wrist wishing I could snap it.
“We both know I’m not expecting.” I lick my bottom lip and lean in close. “One day my brother is going to find out what a shallow and ugly fake bitch you are.”
She pulls away from me making a face. “Like he’d believe you.”
“Everything okay here? You two look a little tense,” Darin interrupts, saving us from making a scene.
“It’s fine,” I answer. She glares at me as Darin looks me over, concern etched on his face.
“I’m just disappointed is all. Faye just told me she didn’t want to be my bridesmaid. I know Eddie wished it but I won’t force her to share in our special day. You know Faye never has been too fond of me.” This is what she does. She insults me and then plays the victim.
“That true?” Darin asks as though he is challenging me to say otherwise. Everyone always trusts her and her little miss innocent act.
“Afraid so.” With that I spin around and go in search of Enzo.
Darin is following closely behind me. I see Enzo chatting with people I don’t know by the bar and Eddie is making his way over to Claire. She will make me out to be a monster to him and he will side with her as always. I don’t know why I don’t tell him what a troll twat she truly is. I guess part of me doesn’t want to see him heart broken or demand he chooses between the two of us, but if they have children I don’t know how I will ever love the little monsters if they are like their mother.
Before I make it to Enzo, Darin is tugging me behind a pillar. His grip on my wrist is too tight but I don’t pull away. I don’t want to attract an audience. “What’s going on? Why don’t you want to be in the wedding party?” He demands. My eyes search his wondering what has gotten into to him to today.
“Don’t worry about it,” I hiss through my clenched teeth.
“Faye, talk to me. Don’t shut me out.” His hold on me loosens.
“Now isn’t the time. Today is about Eddie and Claire.”
“I was looking forward to walking you down the aisle.”
“What is this today, huh? You’ve not ever showed this much interest in me unless you want something. So, what is that you want? Are you lonely, Darin? Don’t have someone to warm your bed, so what? Now I am on your radar? Is that what this is? You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me?”
“It isn’t like that, Faye.”
“Then enlighten me. What’s it like?”
I wait for him to answer but he can’t look me in the eyes. I follow his gaze, landing on Claire and her best friend. I scoff and shake my head. “Grow up, Darin.”
With his attention elsewhere, I go find Enzo. Before I can find him, Eddie grabs my arm and leads me out to the hallway.
“Claire told me you are refusing to be her bridesmaid.”
I shrug at him.
“You’re going to be standing up next to her, Faye. You’re my sister, you have to be part of my wedding.”
I’m done. “Look Eddie, I love you, you know that, but you also know I do not like that woman you’re marrying. I refuse to stand up next to that fake bitch. I’ll still go to the wedding, but I’ll be there under protest.” His face is so angry and I know he’s about to say something that will hurt us both so I put my hand up and cut him off. “Don’t, you’ll only say something you’ll regret. I’m not being in the wedding party, and that’s that.” I walk off. Feeling good about myself for once and spot Enzo looking around the room, finally his eyes land on me.
I go up to him and smile, grabbing his arm. “Let’s get out of here, I’ll call a cab.” We move through the room and ignore both Eddie and Darin calling my name, but I don’t miss the ugly smirk Claire sends me.