Page 36 of The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean

“Speaking of not missing things, I haven’t seen Edmund. We didn’t miss him, did we?” Mom didn’t hide the disdain in her voice. Edmund had not been a particular favorite of her mother’s, but Mandy was sure he’d grow on her in time. If Edmund were a painting, he’d be an abstract one—one that you had to study, and learn, and try to get to know intimately before you could really make an assessment about it. He wasn’t an open book, or “warm” in the traditional sense. But he loved Mandy, she knew that; he supported her even if he truly didn’t understand her, and even if he had meetings, Edmund always made the time to show up for Mandy if she asked him to. He wasn’t perfect but neither was she, so they were imperfectly perfect together—or at least that was what Mandy liked to think.

“I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Mandy reasoned. “Probably just caught up in a meeting.” Edmund was routinely caught up with something work-related that had him showing up late or changing plans at the last minute, but that’s why Mandy was good for him. He was all business and schedules, and Mandy was much more go-with-the-flow. Opposites were supposed to attract, right?

“Hmm…” Mom said. “I did see Isa though. She looks amazing.”

“Sounds like residency is going well for her too,” Dad chimed in.

“Yeah.” Mandy didn’t know what else to say. If it were just her and them, she would’ve let it spill that she hadn’t spoken to Isa yet. But it wasn’t, and Mandy couldn’t be seen crying at her own opening.

“Obstetrics is a good specialty,” Dad continued. He had always been so proud of Isa, as if she were his own daughter—Mom and Dad both, really.

Mandy was proud too. Maybe she should get over herself and just go talk to her.

“Oh, I didn’t tell you,” Mom said. “I talked to Janice at the gym, and I think I’ve finally got it right.” Janice was one of Mom’s new friends that got her into baking—or attempting to bake. Mom had been on a bread kick, trying to make her own sourdough. It seemed so much easier to just buy it at the store.

“Yes. It’s crispy on the outside, and the middle is nice and spongy,” Dad chimed in.

“You really think?” Mom blushed.

“I told you I could’ve eaten the whole loaf.” Dad chuckled.

“I thought you were just being nice,” Mom said.

Was bread supposed to be spongy? That didn’t seem like the most flattering word to Mandy, but she’d never really thought about bread that much. She just enjoyed eating it. “That’s awesome, Mom.”

“The next time you come to paint, I’ll make sure to bake a fresh loaf.” Mom beamed.

Even though Mandy didn’t live with them anymore, she still used the space in the back of the garage for her art. One day she would have a real studio, but for now it worked just fine.

“I was thinking of dropping some off to Sandy and Abuela,” Mom said. “Maybe you could help me with that?” Mom was trying to be encouraging—she knew everything there was to know about what happened with Isa, but Mandy wasn’t sure she was ready to face Isa, Isa’s mom, and Abuela at the same time. Mandy really needed to suck it up and just go talk to her now. As she was about to excuse herself from her parents, someone came up behind her.

“For the lady of the hour.” Edmund thrust a large bouquet of red roses at Mandy and pressed his lips to hers. A rush flooded through her like it did every time she was with him. He was the kind of guy Mandy never thought would be into her. Smart, handsome—someone who commanded attention. She had felt so lucky that he had chosen to be with her. Yes, he was late. And yes, he brought her flowers that she could absolutely not carry around all night, but it was the thought that counted. He took the time to stop and get them for her—or had his assistant do it—but either way, Edmund liked to make a show of how much he cared. Sometimes it was too much, and other times it made Mandy feel important. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it tonight. There were too many emotions swirling through her gut.

“They’re lovely,” Mom replied on Mandy’s behalf, as though she knew Mandy was struggling with finding all the right words, and took the bouquet from him. “I’ll keep these safe for you until later.”

“Thanks, Mom, and yes, they are lovely, thank you.” Mandy leaned into Edmund, the scent of his cologne subtle but still there from when he applied it that morning. It was a tad too peppery for Mandy’s taste, but she wasn’t the one wearing it allday, so she didn’t complain. Pick your battles. And when it came to love, Mandy always chose love.

Edmund took a moment to survey the room. It was still quite bustling, considering the hour. A couple stood in front of one of the paintings that hadn’t been sold, peering around as though looking for Aziz, but he was nowhere to be seen. Mandy didn’t like the thought of losing a sale because he took a bathroom break. She’d had to pee for the last hour, and you didn’t see her running off to the ladies’ room. No. She was going to tough it out.

“I should probably—” Mandy gestured, but Edmund stopped her.

“Before you go, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

Just then the lights dimmed except the one Edmund was standing under, and the rumble of idle chatter faded. Performative art was a thing some artists did during their shows, but Mandy wasn’t one of them. Sometimes she didn’t like people knowingshewas even the artist at all. What the hell was going on? Music started playing, a song Mandy recognized from Edmund’s favorite album.

“Amanda Dean…” It was at this moment Mandy realized Edmund had been speaking to her, and now he was on one knee, a little black box in his hand. “Will you marry me?”

Mandy glanced up. The crowd of people all stared at her. Mom and Dad stared at her. Isa was staring at her. Weren’t there supposed to be conversations that took place before…well…this?What is happening?

“She’s speechless,” someone in the crowd said.

“Aww…isn’t that sweet,” said another.

Mandy wasn’t suresweetwas the word she’d use, but sheplastered on a smile. Why was her heart beating so fast? Wasn’t this what she had always wanted? What was wrong with her? Was it the stress of the show?

“Make me the happiest man in the world…” Edmund leaned forward. His light brown eyes were wider than Mandy had ever seen them before.

Fuck. Shit. Fuck. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t even think. How could he put her on the spot like this? On this night? In front of all these people? Mandy didn’t know what to do. She could picture the headlines—Artist Shuns Lover at Opening. Or would they think it was a stunt?Artist Arranges Proposal to Sell Paintings—Pathetic.What would the critics say? She would be eaten alive. That’s all they’d talk about. Not her work that she poured her heart and soul into but how she crushed some guy’s heart in front of a crowd. Her career in the art world would be over before it ever had a chance to start.

---