Damn. She’s good.
Always digging deeper.
“And what about this Miles fella?” Dad asks, looking between Mami and me like he missed half the conversation. “I thought he was just Gio’s brother-in-law.”
“Ay, Ed.” Mami waves him off like the answer is obvious. “Miles has always had a thing for Penny.”
“What? Why would you say that?” I hurry to ask. The last thing I want is to explain my personal life to my father. “You don’t even know him.”
“Penny Marie, I don’t need to know him.” Mami points at me with her wine glass. “I get the gist of things through you.”
“She got you there, sweetheart.” Dad lets out a knowing laugh. “Your mom is basically psychic. Nothing gets past her.”
The two of them exchange a mischievous look, like they know something I don’t.
I take the opportunity to change the subject.
“So, what do you two have planned for the summer?” I ask, grabbing an empanada and practically shoving the whole thing into my mouth.
“Oh no, not so fast.” Mami tsks, and I know I’m about to be interrogated until dawn.
“You and Easton aren’t exactly spring chickens anymore. I suppose when you reach a certain age, it makes sense to marry someone you’ve known most of your life.” She pauses, clearly waiting for Dad to weigh in.
After a moment, he nods slowly. “I guess that makes sense. You’ve been close to Easton for decades.” His eyes lock onto mine. “But that doesn’t mean you have to marry him.”
Does he know?
“I mean, if you’re in love, then by all means.” His voice softens. “But don’t say yes just because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
Before he can continue, I force out, “I do love Easton.”
I smile as convincingly as I can, trying to relax my face enough to make it believable.
“This is a good thing. I promise.”
I know I’m laying it on thick, but I can’t tell them the truth.
“Okay, well.” Mami reaches across the table to pat my hand gently. “If this is truly what you want, you know we’ll support you every step of the way.”
I’m not sure if she was secretly rooting for Miles and me, but I’m glad she doesn't push any further.
“I love you so much, my Penny girl,” Mami whispers after getting up from her chair and pulling me into a tight hug.
She gives me one last squeeze before reaching her hand to Dad.
He takes it without hesitation.
Then the two of them disappear down the hallway hand in hand toward her studio.
“I need to call Helen,” Mami says excitedly over her shoulder. “If you two lovebirds are getting married at the speed of light, then we have a lot of planning to do.”
Her excitement fills the entire house.
Meanwhile, something inside me starts to dim.
Here I am, letting my mother plan a wedding while all I think about is how I’m supposed to go back to the life I had before Miles.
Before him, everything felt manageable. Predictable.
