“Look,” she cuts me off. “He’s a real estate developer. Recently divorced and looking for the right girl to spoil. I think you’ll approve.”
“But—”
Mom shows me a photo from her phone. The guy’s gotta be in his fifties at least, with graying hair receding like a tide and a doughy complexion that would make a beluga whale proud.
This is her idea of a “perfect guy”? She wants somebody like Josh for Katt, but this for me? Hurt and anger at Mom’s blatant favoritism dig their talons deep into my heart, but I press my lips together. She’s on a roll, which means nothing’s going to penetrate right now.
“He won’t even need a baby from you, so you don’t have to go through labor and ruin your body more than it already is. And he’s fabulously rich. What do you think?” She sounds entirely too pleased with herself.
She isn’t going to listen to anything I say, so I just show her the back of my left hand.
“What’s that?” Katt’s eyes narrow.
“I got engaged.”
Mom’s jaw slackens. “Engaged?”
“You have a boyfriend?” Dad’s tone says,That’s news to me,with a hint of displeasure.
“Yes. I mentioned him on Father’s Day, I think?” I’d bet my big toes that he doesn’t remember. He was too entranced with a new golf club Katt bought him. But it was a very handsome club. Limited edition. Autographed by some pro golfer Dad loves. “But I guess he’s a fiancé now.”
“Let me see that ring,” Mom demands, leaning over. I extend my hand. She grabs and pulls it toward her. “How many carats?”
“Not sure.” I shrug.
“You should know things like that.” She tuts. “They’re important. The bigger the rock, the more he loves you.”
I pull my lips in. “I’ll, um, make sure to find out.”
Katt studies the ring. “Eh. It’s not bad, just tiny.”
Dad’s expression stays taut as he leans over to glance at the ring, then looks at the stones on Mom’s hands. Mine’s smaller than Mom’s for sure. His mouth relaxes a little. “Less than eight carats,” he announces with authority.
“It’s the sentiment that counts,” I say, but I don’t think anybody hears me.
“This barely passes for a ring. Why is the band loose?” Mom’s eyes light up. “Wait—are you finally dieting like I told you to?”
I cough awkwardly. She’s going to be disappointed. “No. There was a mix-up at the jeweler. We’re going to get it resized, so it fits properly.”
Mom visibly deflates.
“So who is this man? Shouldn’t he have spoken to me first? Gotten my blessing?” Dad demands. “Neville and I already met. And I told him he was welcome to you if he wanted.”
“You haven’t met him,” I say, ignoring Dad’s statements about Neville. “He was going to talk to you, but then got carried away in the moment. And I said yes because he’s right for me.”
“Righthow? Is he rich?” Mom asks.
I swallow a sigh. Money never came up. It’s so weird and awkward to ask anyway, like asking a guy you just met about his favorite sex position. “Well… He seems to be doing pretty well for himself. He drives a brand-new Lexus and has a swanky condo with the right zip code, so… I guess…?”
Mom looks at me like she’s raised a hopelessly challenged child.
“Didn’t you check?” Dad frowns. “Things like that are important. You need to make sure the man you marry can support you properly. It would be awkward if you had to rely on others.” Translation:You shouldn’t think about mooching off Katt.
“Idohave a job. One that pays well.”
Katt scoffs. “A pittance. Besides, it isn’t a stable career. Josh can replace you any time with somebody better qualified. You didn’t even go to college.”
“Community college isn’t bad,” I say quietly.
