We turn the corner onto another residential street, and a smile comes to my face. I love these days when the weather is crisp but clear.
Jude is still not talking, so I continue to fill the silence rambling about various things that pop into my head. All I get in reply are random grunts of acknowledgment. I keep an eye on him, making sure he’s not fatiguing, but of course, he isn’t. The man is a pro athlete, he’s got stamina.
We make the final turn onto Main Street, and The Nutty Muffin is just ahead. At that moment, Jude’s cane catches on something, and he stumbles. I automatically reach out and grab his arm, supporting him.
“Thanks,” he says in a low voice.
“Of course. Wouldn’t look good if I let you get hurt when I’m with you, now would it?” I say, feeling a teeny-tiny bit breathless as my body registers the fact that I’m pressed up against his side and he’s not pulling away. He might not realize he’s leaning on me, but I sure as heck do.
“Lilian?”
“Oh shit,” I swear under my breath as the nasally voice of my cousin hits my ears. Jude looks down at me, probably surprised to hear me curse. “Look, Jude, whatever is about to happen, I’m sorry.”
I don’t know why I say that, but I do. Jude hasn’t had the privilege of meeting my family, so he has no idea what he’s in for. Sure enough, when I look across the street, there she is. Dressed in one of her uniforms, at least that’s what I call the pantsuits Marnie prefers to wear. To be fair, it’s what the family business expects of its employees, and Marnie is nothing if not the perfect Chapman employee.
“Hi,” I say, hoping she doesn’t stick around. But luck is not on my side. She crosses over and stands in front of Jude and I, her beady eyes taking in everything. It’s then I realize I’m still clutching his arm.
Shit. I drop it like a hot potato and put some space between us.
“I’m glad I ran into you, actually,” Marnie starts, her perfectly manicured hand tucking an invisible strand of hair behind her ear. “You haven’t been answering my emails, which is quite inconsiderate of you. After all, I’m sure you can imagine how busy this week is for my family and I, with all the last-minute wedding plans.”
Sure.Herfamily. As if they aren’t alsomyfamily. Not that it matters, considering that for the last two months all anyone — my parents included — can seem to talk about is Marnie’s wedding.
I might as well not exist.
Oh wait, that’s basically my life in a nutshell.
Marnie is still talking, or should I say berating, as usual. “I don’t know why you won’t show me the dress you’re planning on wearing. I truly don’t think it’s too much to ask that I be able to approve it. After all, Lilian, it’s not like your fashion choices are always appropriate. It needs to be suitable, and not a shade of red. The last thing we need is for you to clash with my bridesmaids or look out of place in photos.”
If I could mentally roll my eyes, I would. Instead, I keep my gaze steady, refusing to look at Jude and risk seeing his horror at my self-absorbed, superficial bitch of a cousin in all her glory.
“It’s not red, Marnie.”
She huffs, folding her arms across her chest. “Fine. And your date is aware it’s black tie?” Marnie turns her stare to Jude. “That means a tuxedo. Black, no colours.”
Oh my God. Oh hell, she thinks Jude is my date?
“Oh, he’s not —”
“Yes, of course. My Armani tux is clean and ready to go.” Jude’s gravelly voice shocks the crap out of me, and my mouth falls open.
Marnie sniffs, her nose up in the air, looking every bit the pretentious snob she is. “Good. Well. I suppose I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner. That will require semiformal apparel, Lilian. I hope you have something appropriate.”
“Actually, no, I won’t be there,” I interject, feeling the tiniest bit of relief that I only have to survive one day of wedding drama. “I have to work, so I’m not coming down until Saturday.”
Marnie lets out a sigh that is so laden with judgment and criticism, it’s a miracle she can hold herself up under the weight. I’m not sure why, it’s not as if she wants me there any more than I want to be there. We’re both well aware I’m only going to keep up appearances.
“Fine. Saturday. Don’t be late.”
She turns and walks back across the street without another word. I’m left standing there frozen, completely floored by what just transpired. I turn, eyes wide, to look at Jude.
“What the heck did you just do?” I whisper.
He pulls his gaze away from where Marnie has walked away, back to me. “I have no idea. But based on what I just experienced, I’m guessing you need a date to that bitch’s wedding, and I just volunteered.”
I choke back a hysterical laugh. “Um, yeah, that bitch is my cousin. You just claimed to be my date for her circus of a wedding this weekend in Vancouver.”
He’s silent for a moment, staring at me contemplatively. Meanwhile, my wheels are turning, trying to figure out how I can extricate him from this mess without it coming back to bite me in the ass.
