A server came by with a tray of champagne. They all took a glass. “I’m going to talk to Mama. I’ll be right back.” Before asking Lisa if she wanted to join him, he barreled across the bar to his mother.
“Oh, there he is,” Mama said. “Rafael, you’ve met Dominic, right?”
“Yeah. Yesterday.” Rafael held out his hand. “Nice to see you again.”
“You as well.” Dominic shook his hand with the same vigor as the first time they’d met. “Your mother asked me to escort herthis evening.”
Escort? Like as in a date?
“The invite said to bring a plus-one if I wanted,” Mama said with a mischievous grin.
“It did, yes,” Rafael said. Knowing Mama would be disappointed if he displayed bad manners, he thanked Dominic for coming. “We’re glad you’re here. I hope you enjoy yourself.”
“I’m enjoying myself immensely,” Dominic said.
I bet you are. Feeding my mama with your King Kong hands.
“Mama, can you come with me a moment? I have something I need to ask you.”
“Yes, sure. I’ll be right back.” Mama waggled her fingers at Dominic, who bowed his head politely.
“I’ll be waiting,” Dominic said.
Rafael took his mother’s elbow and spoke softly through clenched teeth. “Mama, what’s going on here? Is this a date?”
“I suppose it is. I haven’t had one in so long I’m not quite sure.”
“Didn’t you just meet him yesterday?”
“Yes, and I can’t seem to shake him. Wherever I go, there he is.”
“So you just up and asked him to take you to my rehearsal dinner?”
Mama’s eyebrows knit together, then she pursed her lips and glared up at him.
“What?” he asked, even though he knew.
“You’re behaving like a child,” Mama said. “I’m surprised at you. Does it really bother you that much that I seem to have attracted the attention of a virile man?”
Virile.That was it. He might actually puke at his own party.
“Mama, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Lisa sang his praises. He’s a gentleman and quite smart.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, Mama was staring at him with a concerned expression. “Are you all right, son? You’re white as a ghost.”
“I’m fine.” He sighed. “It’s just been a weird day that keeps getting weirder. Lisa’s parents told her and David they’re getting a divorce.”
Mama brought both hands to her chest. “No. It can’t be.”
“In the spirit of worst-ever times, they told them this morning.”
“I wondered why they came here in separate cars,” Mama said. “Poor Lisa. Will it ruin the wedding for her?”
“She cried all afternoon.”
“The poor thing,” Mama said.
