The girls shake their heads in disagreement, writhing as loud, boisterous laughter escapes them.
I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “This is tragic. You should both feel bad for me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Vivienne.” Evelyn wipes the tear rolling down her cheek. “This is the most entertainingthing I’ve heard in a while. Literature gold, as I like to call it. Do you know how many books I’ve writ—read with that same premise?” She doubles over as a fit of giggles overtakes her. “Too many to count.”
Sutton nods vigorously in agreement. “It’s such a good book concept that you’re giving Lennie Woods,the romance author of all romance authors, a run for her money.”
For a margin of a second, panic lights Evelyn’s face, but it’s gone as quickly as it came when she joins back in on thelet’s cackle at Viviennetrain.
“I will say, my favorite part of that story is your reasoning for being wet when we were getting into the Uber after the event. A three-second thunderstorm? Really?” Sutton clutches her stomach as her laughter breaks into a harsh cough.
I’d offer her my cup of water sitting on the sink, but I’m not feeling so generous anymore.
“Also, the dizziness and blacking out you experienced when you got up from the fountain? It sounds a lot like the consequences of that iron deficiency of yours. That could have been avoided if you’d taken your supplements like I told you to,” Evelyn rasps.
My lips flatten into a thin line, thoroughly unimpressed by their reactions. I was expecting a little more sympathy from them.
“In all seriousness.” Evelyn’s tone softens when she comes down from her high. “This may not be theworstthing that’s happened to you. With those dates once a week, you’ll get out of the house more often—breathe some air, get a change of scenery. It’ll be a good break to cleanse yourself from the negative science energy.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Sutton adds on. “You’ll be Dr. Vivienne Brown in no time, and we’ll both be sitting in that crowd, watching you walk across the stage. I have no doubt.”
My nose stings at the thoughts I’ve refused to indulge in. I think about finishing my PhD often, but it feels more like a wish than anything else. With the way Sutton talks about it—that sense of the finality in her voice—it’s like she really believes it.
“No crying!” Sutton hits my arm lightly. “Especially not with makeup on. You have an engagement party to get to. We want to look like a bride,nota raccoon.”
At her demand, I hinge at the hips, letting the tears fall straight down.
“Now show us the ring!” Evelyn finally enters the bathroom—no longer afraid of the madhouse that is Sutton Alister.
I turn my hand over, drawing out loud gasps. The girls lean in cautiously, taking in the gold pavé band and large, oval diamond.
“That has to be weighing down your finger.” Sutton’s the first to break the silence.
“Uh-huh.” Evelyn nods mindlessly, mesmerized by how the rock catches the light.
“You know what they say,” Sutton says, equally as entranced. “The bigger the diamond, the bigger the dick.”
I shriek in surprise, slapping a hand over Sutton’s mouth. Hazel eyes wrinkle in laughter, setting off a domino effect, prompting Evelyn and me to follow suit.
“Now, back to business.” Sutton gestures down my body like the fashionista that she is. “Loving the outfit, makeup, and hair, but we’re missing the finishing touch.” She runs out of the bathroom and heads back in with a green makeup pouch, looking less human and more like a Cheshire cat.
“Uh-oh.” Evelyn’s eyes widen as she takes in Sutton frantically raking through the bag.
The clinking of plastic on plastic goes on for a good minute before it stops. Eventually, a tube of red lipstick makes its way out, dangling between Sutton’s forefingers in a silent taunt.
Evelyn chooses life and runs out of the bathroom, while my heart drops to my stomach.
“What did you say his favorite color was again?” Sutton smirks as she takes a step forward.
I take one back, hands raised in fear when the bell rings. I know who it is at the door, and while I would have been stressed about my impending “engagement party,” I have more pressing matters at hand.
“Looks like it’s time for me to leave!” I try to sneak away, only to be pushed back into the corner.
Rich red lipstick inches in my direction—the tube so close to my face I’d look like your friendly neighborhood clown with one wrong move.
“I am not trying to seduce him,” I hiss, right as the creamy texture touches my lips.
“Guess it’s too late for that now.” Sutton smiles wickedly, paying extra attention to my cupid’s bow. She leans back to admire her work, nodding in approval before dashing away.
