‘Cool,’ I said.
Dylan was dressed for her one-on-one in a swishy dark blue maxi dress that showed off her arms. Her hair was down from thePride and Prejudiceupdo, spilling over her shoulders, held back by a pink headband. She looked beautiful. It was a big, big problem.
‘Earth to Mandie,’ she said, snapping her fingers.
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘Just drifted away for a second. It was a big day. I know it wasn’t even that long a day really, but…’
‘I get it, I get it,’ Dylan said. ‘It’s the emotional energy. It’s a lot.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Our groceries came while we were on the group date,’ she said. ‘I just threw about a third of a bag of oven chips in.I figure I need to carbo-load to have enough energy for this one-on-one thing tonight. Want to help me eat them? Carbs always make me feel better.’
I shook my head. ‘I’m okay,’ I said. ‘I think I might take a walk outside. Before it gets too dark.’
‘Don’t fall in the lake.’
‘I’ll try my best,’ I said. ‘Enjoy your date. If I don’t see you before.’
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘I will. Hard not to, with that man. Look what he did for me.’
She unfolded a serviette, revealing three eclairs.
‘He made Murray save them for me,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that sweet?’
‘Yeah,’ I echoed, remembering the way Romeo-Dylan’s eyes had creased in the corners as he’d smiled at Dylan across the table, the most perfect couple in the world. ‘Super sweet.’
The sun was setting as I tramped through the gardens. I didn’t go far. I’m a rule-follower, and I took Suzette’s warning to heart. But even going only a little way showed me just how big the property was.
The Juliet Villa was on the top of a hill, sloping gently down towards the lake we weren’t allowed to drown in. If I squinted, I could make out another, smaller house down the bottom of the hill. That must be the Convent. I hoped Cece was doing okay down there.
There were rose gardens on two sides of the Villa, one surrounding the pool, the other planted in long lines, likegrapevines. At the front was the long entranceway where our limos had pulled up on the first night, now with significantly fewer lanterns and chandeliers. On the other side were walls and walls of hedges.
I’d only ventured in a little way before I realised that they weren’t just random walls of hedges. It was a maze.
I glanced up at the sky. It was getting darker. I should go back.
But the cool evening breeze felt nice on my face, blowing some of that nervous sweat away, so I went a little further.
What was I going to do?
The breeze might feel nice, but it didn’t have any answers for me.
I trailed my hand against one of the hedges. Someone had told me once that you could always find your way out of a maze if you just put one hand on the wall and followed it faithfully. It might lead you down a few dead ends, but as long as you followed the wall, you’d get out eventually.
Pity I didn’t even know where the wall was these days. I was just flailing around, hoping that someone would take my hand and lead me along the right path.
Whenever I had a problem, Jac had always had a solution. ‘Okay, here’s what you need to do,’ she’d say decisively when I told her about some issue with the guys at work or some drama with my friends, or even when I couldn’t decide what to make for dinner. Then she’d give me clear, concrete advice. Sure, it wouldn’t alwayswork(she’d never come up with anything even close to as effective as the Mummy Mandie strategy), but she’d always sound so certain, and even if theadvice turned out to be garbage, it still helped me figure out what I needed to do.
For a moment, I wanted her here so badly.
Babe, I’ve got a problem,I’d say to her.A few problems.
She’d lean back against the opposite wall of the maze and cross her arms.Hit me.
I’m onMarry Me, Juliet, I’d say.I like the Romeo, but Ireallylike my friend. Who’s straight. And also dating the Romeo, who seems to be pretty into her. Also no one knows I’m bi. Except the whole crew. I think, anyway. And if I don’t out myself, then chances are they will.
Easy solution,Jac would say.Don’t be onMarry Me, Juliet. What the actual fuck, Mandie? Don’t you have any self-respect?
