“It’s Marley,” I remind her coolly. “And hello,Carina.”
“How are you two enjoying the night?” she asks, but she’s not even looking at me. Her eyes are on Othello. The bartender calls to get our attention. My liquid courage is ready. Othello reaches for it and hands it to me before he puts an arm around my shoulders.
“It’s going well. We’re having a good time.”
Carina’s smile is tight and pinched. “I’m glad.”
Are you really?
“I love your dress,” Minion One says to me. She extends her hand and introduces herself as Carina’s cousin, Jaylah.
“Thank you.”
Minion Two speaks up. “I’m Camila. I heard you’re the editor-in-chief ofModmagazine. I read that all the time.”
I’m glowing now. Finally feeling less intimidated.
“Thanks for your support.”
“No problem. You guys do a good job of recycling trends.”
My glow fades.
“Excuse me, everyone,” Collette calls out, vying for everyone’s attention, lightly tapping a silver fork against her water glass.
The music lowers.
I cut my eyes at Camila. But she doesn’t look moved.
“Good evening, family and friends! We’re about to start dinner. But I just wanted to say that I’m so glad everyone was able to make it out to celebrate Carina and Gavin’s next step in their journey. This week is about love, laughter, and new beginnings,” Collette coos. “Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple. May this be the first of many memories we’ll cherish together.”
Carina drinks in all the attention, raising her glass in the air and smiling proudly. Gavin joins her, taking her hand and leading her to their assigned seats.
Othello touches the small of my back and lowers his head to whisper in my ear.
“Ready?” he asks.
And I’m not sure if he means to eat or to finally put on a show for these people.
“Ready,” I answer, and he takes my hand in his and leads me to the long rectangular table large enough to seat fifty guests. The place cards have us seated right in front of Carina and Gavin.
How convenient.
Othello pulls my chair out for me, and I take a seat, setting my clutch on the table next to my water glass. Everything is styled to perfection, reminding me of a spread straight out of a luxury bridal issue. Crisp linens, layered place settings, and white dendrobiums that I know cost a pretty penny to ship this far.
Collette sits between her daughter and husband, looking very much like the Queen of an empire. She’s wearing a sleeveless sequined halter-neck jumpsuit in a beautiful shade of purple.
“Marley, I don’t think you met my husband, Jerome.”
“No, I haven’t,” I reply, offering him a polite smile. “But I’m a huge fan of your music.”
Jerome’s expression warms, clearly used to recognition but still gracious about it. “I appreciate that,” he says.
“I commend you and my wife. Yoga at the crack of dawn takes the kind of discipline I don’t possess.”
I laugh, and a man sitting to my left and in front of Jerome joins in.
He’s a husky man with broad shoulders and a belly that reminds me of Santa Claus.
