Page 32 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

“Always such a snob,” Jasmine muttered.

“Hey, stop it!” Tallulah said. “This is my wedding week. You all need to get along.” Her eyes bugged out at me.

“What are you looking at me for?” I griped. “I didn’t do anything.”

Tallulah smiled. “Cause you’re my shit-stirrer, and I love you.”

I pouted, deflated.

“Ivy Jade, are you in there?” I heard my mami in the distance.

All the girls looked over at me nervously.

“I’m in here…” I let out, knotting another little bag in my hand.

“There you are, mija.” She appeared at the oversized arched doorway. Mami always had her makeup done and her jewelry on. She never left home without either. Mami thought women who didn’t dress up or wear makeup were too homely. She believed they’d never catch the big fish–which was true. However, it had been nice to dress more casually than I was used to. It was comfy. “Papi just got off the phone with a very good friend, and good news! Antonio will be here soon!” she said, clapping her hands together.

“Right now?” I sat up, my knee bumping into the table. Everyone’s attention was on me once again.

“Aye, no, mija. He’ll be here in a couple of days, but the flight has been arranged. It’s finally happening.”

I looked at Tallulah, and she rolled her eyes.

“Who is it?” Jasmine asked.

“Oh, bless you for asking.” Mami ran over to Jasmine, giving her a hug, and sat beside her. “Ivy Jade’s future husband is coming to the wedding this weekend. He’s a doctor. Very rich. His family owns many hospitals.”

“Future husband? Wouldn’t that make him your fiancé?” Jasmine asked, confused.

“No…” I said, annoyed.

“Yes,” Mami corrected my comment and nodded sweetly.

“I haven’t even met him yet,” I said, sitting back down, working on another wedding favor. “But I know everything about him. He’s six-two, has black hair, loves baseball, and has a fear of large cats.” I shrugged, listing only a fraction of the information I knew about him, not to mention that he loved collecting old swords and skydiving.

“It will be love at first sight,” Mami assured.

“I’m so confused.” Jasmine looked over at me, and I knew it was bad when she looked uncomfortable.

I was starting to feel embarrassed. “It’s okay. Mami’s right. It will be love at first sight. It’ll be great. She knows these things…”

“What about your tattoo?” Tallulah asked, purposefully poking at a sore subject. “What if Antonio doesn’t like it?”

I kicked Tallulah under the table.

“Ow! Jesus, Ivy Jade,” Jasmine screeched.

Oops! Wrong leg!

“The tattoo won’t be a problem. We can always get it removed for Antonio,” Mami said.

“What about Ivy Jade?” Hollie asked, eyes softened with concern.

“It’s okay. It’s fine,” I said, not wanting to make a scene.

Mami laughed. “All of this is for Ivy Jade. And for Papi. And for me! It’s for all of us. Anyway, he will be here by the dinner rehearsal. I’ve already talked to his mother and father. They said he can’t wait to meet you!” she said delightfully.

Tallulah sighed. “Can he visit her on a different week?”