Page 67 of The Match

“Come on, Evie, didn’t anyone ever teach you how to kiss and tell?”

I shake my head at her in mock reprimand. “Someone needs to teach you some manners.”

She grins and picks up another section of my hair to wrap it around the iron. My hair is officially too long for me to curl myself, but I want it to be in pristine condition when I go to my parents’ house later tonight. That way my mom can’t say anything about how I should really try putting an effort into my appearance before I go out.

“Fine. You don’t have to go into detail. But just tell me this . . . are you happy?”

I meet my own eyes in the mirror and take a long look. And yep, right there, reflected in my green eyes, is a spark of happiness I haven’t felt in a long time. I feel cherished by Jake, and I’m starting to trust that feeling. “I am happy. Things are finally starting to come together in my life. Plans for the fundraiser are lining up nicely, and I’m hopeful that we’re going to make enough to achieve our goal for the year. I’m seeing an amazing guy who truly understands me and my lifestyle, and I get to spend time with his adorable daughter who makes me feel . . .”

“Whole?”

I meet Jo’s eyes in the mirror and nod. “Yeah. How’d you know that?”

She gently wraps my hair around the iron. “Because that’s what happened to me three years ago when I met you.” My heart swells, and all of a sudden tears are pricking my eyes. I sit very, very still because I despise crying in front of people.

Joanna unwraps a curl from the iron and sets it down, resting her hip against the counter and folding her arms in front of her. “Did I ever tell you that Gary and I couldn’t have children?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I don’t like to dwell on it much. We found out back in the day before fertility treatments were as successful as they are now. The fact of the matter is a biological family just wasn’t in the cards for us, and it was tough to realize at first, but we got through it and have had an incredible, lovely life together just the two of us.” She smiles softly. “And then I met you and had the sudden distinct feeling that you were the missing part of our family I never knew I needed.” She pauses as emotion clogs her throat. “I probably don’t say it enough, but I love you, missy.”

I feel my smile stretch across my face and reach out to take her hand. “You tell me every single day, Jo.”

Her eyes are misty. “It’s not enough.”

Now my tears are falling too, and it’s no use trying to stop them. “I don’t know where I would be without you, Jo. I love you too. And you’ve been a better mom to me than mine ever has been. So . . . thank you for letting me be a part of your and Gary’s family.”

“You’re welcome, honey.”

We stare at each other for a minute, and then, as if we truly are mother and daughter, we both scrunch our noses at the same time and release each other’s hand. “Right. Well, no sense making your mascara run right before your evening at the palace. Wouldn’t want to give the queen anything to remark on.”

I laugh and turn my eyes to the mirror to finish up my makeup. I’m pulling out all the stops tonight. Mascara. Eyeliner. Blush. It’s all happening. Sephora would be so proud of me. “Oh, I’m sure Her Highness will find something to her distaste.”

“I wish you’d bring me instead of Jake. I’d like to take that woman’s hateful comments and shove them right up her snooty little—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know where you’d put them.”

Jo gives me a mischievous grin and then leaves my bathroom. “I’ll get your dress. Where is it?”

“On my bed,” I call out to her, and then I hear her loud, overly dramatic gasp.

“Please tell me you’re not going to wear this hideous thing.”

I knew she’d hate it. It’s a conservative little number I plucked from the sale rack of a department store. It’s a plain navy pencil dress with a high neckline, and it hits me just below the knees. It looks like I should be walking into a courtroom with a briefcase at my side rather than going to a dinner party.

“But this looks nothing like you. Where’s the color? Where are the flowers?” She sticks her head back into the bathroom, holding up the offending dress. “Oh gosh, don’t tell me you got matching pumps to go with it.”

“They’re by the door.”

“Why are you doing this?”

I sigh and stand up, taking the dress from her and walking out to lay it back down on my bed. “I know it’s nothing like me. But I’m not trying to be me tonight. I’m just trying to get in, grab that check, and get out as fast as possible with as few mean comments stuck to my back as I can manage.” It’s probably a little cowardly of me, but I don’t care. I’m tired of fighting my mom at every turn. Might as well play the game and blend in with their lifestyle until I can get back home and change into my sneakers and summer dress.

I peel off my clothes and slip into the dress, having Jo zip up the back. I spin around, and she gives me a begrudging smile. “Well, we can at least be grateful it hugs your curves.”

I shake my head at her. “I promise I will burn this dress as soon as I’m done with this dinner party. How about that?”

“Okay. As long as you let Jake unzip it for you.” She winks with a devilish smirk, and I swat her arm.

---