We sat on one edge of the table while Emma and Gio were on the opposite side. My great aunt, Benita, was the first to arrive. I shot up from my seat to hug her and kiss her on the cheek.
“I’ve missed you,mi hermosa bebita,”she whispered in my ear. “And who is this handsome young man?”
Grant stood next to me. “I’m one of Serenity’s best friends, Grant. Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He extended his hand to shake, but my aunt opened her arms wide and welcomed him in for a hug.
“Such a gentleman, too,” she whispered to me, but Grant overheard her.
“I was raised by my Gram, who taught me respect before I could talk.” We all laughed so easily together.
“Come sit,” I told Aunt Benita. “You’re one of the first ones here.” She followed and chose the seat next to Grant—of course.
Emma’s friends, Allie and Sasha, walked in next. “Thank you so much for coming,” I told them both, bringing them both in for a hug.
“Your dress looks so good on your body type,” Allie said condescendingly. That was her subtle way of complimenting me while also reminding me how different my body was compared to theirs. My hips were too wide for my petite frame, and I definitely didn’t have a flat stomach.
“Isn’t she stunning?” Grant said as he approached us from behind. Both Allie's and Sasha’s expressions remained bored.Why did they even come?
“And you are?” Sasha asked.
“I’m Serenity’s lesser half since she’s obviously the better half. But you all can call me Grant.” He extended his hand to shake theirs. They both looked at each other for a moment and proceeded to shake Grant’s hand.
“Emma’s here, sitting at the other end of the table.” As soon as the words came out, they ran toward each other. They jumped up and down in greeting like schoolgirls.
I turned my attention back to Grant. “Thanks. They kind of suck.”
“I know a jealous mean girl when I see one.”
“Jealous of me?” I questioned. “What’s there to be jealous about?”
“You want me to complement you more, don’t you?” He nudged my shoulder.
I laughed softly. The door to our dining area opened with a new guest. I braced for my mom, but instead, someone I had hoped I’d never see again stepped through the door. Andrés locked eyes with me and gave me his most smug smile. I froze, the walls closing in around me. I wanted to make the signal to the group that I needed to get as far away from him as possible.
“Hey, what happened? Are you okay?” Grant’s voice snapped me back to reality. My mom was right behind Andrés, walking toward us.
“My mom and her husband are here,” I voiced quietly.
“I didn’t realize she was married.” He noticed my distress. “I got you, just breathe.” He put his arm around my shoulders, and we faced my mom and Andrés.
“Happy birthday,mija.” My mom came in for a hug as if it hadn’t been years since we’d been in the same room together.I couldn’t be around her often once she married Andrés. She pulled back, standing close to Andrés, who gawked at me.
Grant shifted his eyes between the three of us, noticing the tension. “I’m Grant, Serenity’s plus one. You must be her mother.” He once again extended his hand to introduce himself.
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” my mom said to me while shaking Grant’s hand. I bit my tongue because we hadn’t had a real conversation since she married Andrés. I refused to go to the wedding; I even gave her more information about what he did to me, but she married him anyway. He abused her daughter, and she didn’t even believe she deserved better.
“I haven’t had the opportunity.” I shrugged.
Grant introduced himself to Andrés, and they moved to the side to talk. I couldn’t help but notice Grant smiling and laughing while he talked with Andrés. They even walked back to the table and sat across from each other to continue talking. My mom and I followed, taking our seats next to each other at the table.
I made eye contact with Emma, who looked as mortified as I was. She walked over to me and whispered in my ear, “Do you want me to ask him to leave?”
“I don’t want to make a scene,” I replied. “I’ll be okay.”
Mikey walked in, yelling, “The party has arrived,” across the dining area. I laughed, thankful for the distraction.
Everyone fell into comfortable small talk around the table. I was still surprised she would bring Andrés. I thought I had made my boundaries clear. She hadn’t forced me to be around him since they got married, so why now?
The waiter came, bringing everyone’s drinks and taking our food orders. When Grant ordered, I caught Andrés’s gaze on me. I felt exposed, a flush of heat through my entire body, palms sweating. Grant’s hand rested on my thigh; I slowly turned to face him, and he gestured for us to breathe together.
