Oh, great, she’s going into full-guilt mode. “That’s not what I saidat all. I just don’t want to be forced on some stranger because he’s the only other single person in the wedding party. Is that so unreasonable?”
“No, but you didn’t have to insult Sharon by turning down her nephew without even seeing him. He sounds like a real catch. He’s the only one in the family to have gone to university, and now he works as a financial advisor. He’s done really well for himself. He drives anAudi.” She says this like it’s a huge selling point.
“An Audi? Why didn’t you say so before?”
Mum hands me the bronzer case and a huge fluffy brush. “No need to be sarcastic. I just want to see you happily married for your sake, as well as for Isabelle’s. It’s not healthy for her to be an only child living with a seventy-one-year-old foul-mouthed crazy person and her man-hating mother.”
“I don’t hate men. I just don’t trust them. It’s completely different.”
“Well, the end result is the same. You’re robbing Isabelle of having arealfamily.”
“That isnotfair,” I say, tossing the bronzer back in the bag without using it. “I’m doingeverythingI can to give her the best life possible. So it’s a little unconventional? She’s happy, she’s loved, and she’s going to have every opportunity.”
“Knock, knock. I hope I’m not interrupting,” Amber’s best friend, Kandi, says, bursting into the room. Kandi has huge brunette hair that matches her personality. She and Amber have been best friends since grade three, and people call them the tiny twins because they’re both so cute and skinny. In fact, most people mistake Kandi for Amber’s sister instead of me.
“Hi, sweetie,” my mum says, standing to hug her ‘otherdaughter’ as she calls her.
“Hi, Second Mum,” she says. “You aregorgeous.Cher wishes she lookas good as you. Seriously, you and Mr. Lewis are anepicSonny and Cher.”
“Oh, you,” my mum says, waving off the comment in spite of the broad smile on her face. “You look beautiful. Cute bunny ears.”
“Thanks. It was Patrick’s idea,” she says, pretending to be annoyed to be wearing her ultra-sexy costume. She turns to me. “Bree, I was hoping we could chat about Amber’s hen’s party without her overhearing.”
Crap. I totally forgot about throwing her a hen’s party. How much is that going to cost me? “Oh, sure.”
“Now, as the maid of honour, I know it’s usually your place to plan it,” she says, planting one hand on her hip. “But I thought maybe you’d be okay with letting me take the lead since you’re so busy with school and Izzy.”
“Thank you. That isso thoughtfulof you, Kandi.” It’s not really. She just doesn’t trust me to come up with somethingepicenough because all of Amber’s friends think I’m a stick in the mud. Which I am, but there are worse things a girl could be. She could be eye Kandi.
“No probs. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and Amber deserves anepicweekend away.”
See? I told you.
Kandi gives me a big smile. “Cool. Okay, I’ll start a group text of all the bridesmaids so we can sort out the deets.”
“Awesomesauce,” I say, hoping I sound enthusiastic instead of sarcastic.
Her smile falters for a second, then she says, “I better go find Patrick before he makes some other bunny next month’s centerfold.”
She spins in her four-inch stilettos and walks off, her fluffy little tail wagging behind her.
***
The sound of Calypso music assaults me as soon as I walk out the sliding door from the kitchen to the back garden. I scan the yard for Isabelle and see she’s with Dolores. They’re mugging for the camera as the photographer snaps some shots of them over by a naked-lady waterfall statue.
“Here she is now,” Sharon calls from across the yard. “Brianna, come and meet Evander.”
The pair walk toward me with Sharon practically dragging her nephew, who seems about as enthusiastic to meet me as I am to meet him. He’s tall, thin, surprisingly handsome, and is dressed as Sherlock Holmes, complete with the pipe and deerstalker hat. Huh, maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
“Evander, Brianna’s the one I was telling you about. The miniature Sonny Bono is her little girl.” Turning to me, Sharon beams. “Evander doesn’t even mind that you have a daughter.”
So that’s nice…
Her smile falters a little. “Anyway, I thought you two would have a lot in common since you’re both studious types, unlike my Dane.” She laughs a little and glances back and forth between us. “Okay, well, you two get to know each other. I need to go check on the other guests.”
“Hi,” I say, feeling super awkward. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Holmes.”
He nods, looking uncomfortable as he sips some of the boozy punch through a swirly straw. “Are you Jane Goodall, then?”
