Rachel and Chance have been together for years. They throw parties like this frequently, but this one is particularly over the top. Supposedly, it’s because they just bought a house and Chance got a promotion. I can’t help but wonder if there’s something else going on.
I love seeing my sister happy. As she walks around the room, literally everyone greets her. Her commute back to me takes longer than the New York subway system because of how much she works the room, a social trait that seemed to skip me entirely. It’s not that I’m not good with people. I’ve worked in hospitality for years, but Rachel is popular. She has an approachability about her. Girls want to be her. Guys want to date her. I’m more like the HR rep of the family.
Eventually, my sister saunters back over to me in her cute little floral dress and her strappy wedge sandals. “Good party,” I say, lifting my glass to cheers her. “Did you get the wine switch straightened out?”
“Oh no. Chance ordered a case of Chardonnay behind my back when I very specifically told him this is a Riesling slash Moscato crowd. But you know how he is,” she says, downing half of her wine.
“He’s a rebel, that’s for sure,” I kid, and she giggles. She’s tipsy and happy, and I’m happy for her. She deserves it, even if it has always come easier for her than for me. “How are you doing?” I ask.
“My face hurts from smiling,” she admits through a grin.
“You wanna sneak around back? We could do pineapple upside down shots for old times’ sake,” I joke, and she laughs.
“That literally sounds amazing right now,” she admits. “Listen, I don’t mind playing the arm candy girlfriend, but once in a while, I wish I could just throw on a pair of leggings and duck behind the–”
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Chance’s voice comes over the speakers as a fork tings against glass and about a hundred and twenty people turn to the stage.
“What’s going on?” I whisper, clasping my sister’s arm in my hand.
“I have no idea,” she admits.
“Rachel, darling, would you please join me on stage?” he asks.
“Oh.” I croon, waggling my eyebrows. “You’re on.”
“Jesus,” she mutters through a flashy grin and makes her way up front.
“First of all, everyone needs to know just how much I love this woman,” Chance says.
First of all, he’s drunk…I muse.
“And I know that this is a long time coming,” he goes on, and my stomach bottoms out a little as it hits me where this is going. “As a perfectionist, I am always waiting for the stars to align.Especially considering how incredible this woman is. I mean, I am out of my league, am I not?”
Everyone reacts accordingly, and I feel like collectively we all know where this is going.
“But I realized something. Stars only stay aligned for moments in time and then it’s all up to fate again. But forever is forever, and that’s what I want with you, Rachel. I want now, I want tomorrow, I want forever.”
There it is. The entire room swoons and sniffles as Chance Latona proposes to his girlfriend of six years. It’s true. It has been a long time coming. The ring box pops open, the diamond blinds everyone within a fifty-foot radius, and the room erupts with sounds of celebration. I watch as my sister, who has always glimmered, completes her life bingo card as Chance slides the ring on her finger.
After that, everything is a frenzy, and I quietly make my way out of the chaos of the main room to the bartender, who is filling champagne glasses for the mandatory toast.
“Almost done,” he tells me.
“Can I get a rum and ginger ale?” I ask.
“Oh. Not a fan of the bride to be?” he asks, pouring the drink.
“Oh, she’s my sister. I’m just not a fan of happy relationships,” I answer before thinking about it, and he spits out a laugh.
“Ouch,” he says before handing me my drink.
“No, that’s not true. I love my sister. And honestly, it’s about damn time he put a ring on it. I just…” I trail. I don’t actually know where I am going with this.
“I get it,” he says. “Living in the shadow of the golden child isn’t fun,” he says, and I narrow my eyes. Is that it? Is that what I’m feeling? Surely not.
But that night, as I tuck Luca and his blue-stained lips into bed, I can’t help but think about the bartender’s words.
Am I jealous?
