“Oh, Mady.” My cheeks warmed. “Of course, I’ll be your maid of honor. I love you.” The warmth between us was the kind only chosen family could offer.
“Okay, don’t get too sentimental. It’s gonna be a lot of work,” Mady said, tissues rustling in the background.
“It’ll be worth it,” I raised my wine glass in a silent toast.
“Well, not tonight. You sound exhausted.”
“What’s with everyone today? I’m fine.” Did I really look that bad?
“Who’s ‘everyone’?” she asked.
“You, Thomas, Luke...”
“Luke? Who’s Luke?”
“You know, corporate-suit Luke. The guy who’s always running around with different girls. Sunday walk-of-shame Luke. Usually arrives with his colleagues. I recently found out one of them makes questionable tattoo choices. Funny guys.”
“Oh, the hot Luke who hits on you. The one I’ve told you a million times to hook up with? The strong, athlete Luke?”
“Athlete?”
“I stalked him on Instagram. He’s a gym bro. And very sexy.”
“Not surprised you have that information.”
“Wait, he said you look exhausted? Rude. He’s not wrong, though.”
“Right?! Wait, no. Who says that to a person? Then offers me a random vacation. Like, who does that? I don’t even know him that well.”
“Hold up, what? Details. I need more details.”
I reenacted the conversation with Luke, pointing out how ridiculous his offer was.
“Hazel, are you crazy? You have to go.”
“Is it me who’s drinking, or you? I can’t go.”
“Why not? You need rest, and it seems I’m not the only one who thinks that. It’s a paid vacation to a place you’ve been, with the language you know. WITH A HOT GUY, HELLO!”
“I’m not gonna hook up with him. He’s sleeping with a different girl every other day. Plus, I’m not interested in him.”
“Yeah, Hazel, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear the garbage you just said. He’s everyone’s type. Also, I remember how you described him the first time you told me about him. Butwhatever, even if you believe all that, you don’t have to hook up with him. Just go on the trip, get some rest. Leave me all the names, numbers, and addresses. I’ll call the embassies and make sure you don’t get kidnapped. I’ve got you, girl!”
I was trying to form any kind of protest in my head, but I was too tired to argue, unsure of what to say.
“I can’t ask him for a vacation just because I need rest. It’s selfish and ridiculous.” My voice dropped.
“Babe, it seems you don’t have to ask, since he already offered it. Just take the opportunity. Take a chance. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You telling me ‘I told you so’ forever?” I sighed, setting down my glass.
“That’s a chance you will have to take.”
We talked for a few minutes. Just before hanging up, I promised to let her know about Luke’s offer, even though I already knew I had no intention of accepting it.
* * *
Over the next two days, I worked and organized my apartment. The process didn’t go as planned because I had no boxes, so I just made piles and sorted everything. I had spoken to Ernesto at the bookshop I often visited, and he promised to give me some boxes after their next big shipment. In return, I offered to help stock the shelves, which was great because I got first dibs on the new arrivals.
