“Very good.” I’m watching her in the mirror but I’m thinking about him on the ice. The way he moves. “He loves it. It’s not just a job for him.”
“That’s nice. Having passion for something.” Melissa’s voicedrifts over. “Though I imagine the lifestyle is challenging. All that travel, the parties, the attention. Must require a lot of trust.”
There it is.
My shoulders pull up. “We’re fine.”
“I’m sure you are.”
My phone buzzes.
Rodriguez
Owen’s friends are already drunk.
It’s barely 11
Rodriguez
I know. They started with mimosas, now it’s whiskey.
How’s Garrett?
Rodriguez
He just got here. Quiet. Drinking.
That’s ominous.
Rodriguez
I’m keeping an eye on him.
Emma’s telling a story about her boyfriend. Everyone’s laughing. The makeup artist starts on Olivia’s face while the stylist finishes my hair.
I look at myself when she’s done. Hair pinned up in soft waves. Elegant. Put together.
My phone lights up.
Rodriguez
You’re going to look incredible today.
You haven’t seen me yet.
Rodriguez
Don’tneed to.
“He texts a lot,” Melissa observes. “That’s nice. Garrett was never much of a texter.”
“Some people aren’t,” my mom says diplomatically.
“True. Everyone’s different.” Melissa takes a sip of champagne. “I’m sure Rodriguez is just very... expressive.”
The way she says expressive. Like it’s a character flaw.
Emma catches my eye in the mirror and mouthswhat is her problem?
