Page 6 of Born to Make You Smile

As soon as Dorina saw me, she greeted me with a loud, “Here she is!”

Her long chestnut-brown hair was styled sleek and straight, and it fell over her skintight magenta dress.

“Damn.” Her eyes ran over my body.

“This old thing?” I teased and struck a pose in my favorite little black dress. It emphasized my hourglass curves and hid the extra weight I’d gained over the past few years. My golden curls fell to my shoulders, and I actually made an effort with my makeup. Eyeliner and mascara to highlight my blue eyes, and ahint of blush and bronzer to bring some color to my porcelain skin.

I hollered a hello to Vanessa, who was still in her bedroom getting ready.

“I can't believe you’re actually coming out with us tonight,” Dorina said. “I'm so happy! You have no idea.”

She flailed her hands and hugged me. She smelled of coconut and vanilla, her signature perfume since high school.

For once, I decided to be more outgoing and accept Dorina’s invitation to join her tonight. I figured I’d have a few pre-drinks here, then nurse one at the club. I just prayed the cover charge wasn't astronomical.

“Want a drink?” she asked.

“Yes, please!” I removed my nude pumps and felt small, sinking about four inches below Dorina’s five-foot-seven height.

I met Dorina in grade nine. She saw me sitting alone at lunch on the third day of school and plopped herself next to me. We talked and realized we lived just a few streets away, and we immediately bonded over our love for shows likeOne Tree HillandDegrassi. We kept each other sane during the four long years. She also taught me how to tame my unruly curls with all the right products and blow-dry techniques. She had a natural talent for doing hair, and it wasn’t surprising when she became a successful hairdresser and an assistant manager at the salon.

Dorina and I took our vodka sodas to the couch. She vented about her day. A disgruntled older man had made a fuss and refused to pay his hairdresser. Dorina managed to calm him down, and he ended up settling his bill, even leaving his hairdresser a very generous tip. Dorina had that effect on people. Calm but firm. Like a mama bear.

“Your hair looks amazing,” she gushed. “You’re using that new curl activator lotion I got you?”

“Yeah. It’s a game changer.”

All thanks to Dorina’s exclusive freebies from the salon, my hair always looked fabulous.

“Dor,” Vanessa called from the kitchen. “Did you pay this hydro bill or no?”

“I paid it,” Dorina said.

Vanessa groaned. “Goddamn, why is it so high?”

I shifted on the couch. I had so many overdue bills I knew I’d have to tackle this weekend. My stomach dipped as I remembered my mortgage increase.

When my mother had passed away suddenly, I was left to handle the house payments. She had nothing set up—no life insurance and very little savings. While most eighteen-year-olds were planning their summer grad trips and prepping to attend university, I had been mountain-deep in debt, trying to keep my head above water.

Five years later and I was still drowning.

“Random question,” I said with a sigh. “How much is a normal mortgage rate increase? For a house? Asking for a friend, obviously.”

Dorina tilted her head at me. “Oh,pollita. How bad is it?”

I shrugged. “It’s fine. I'll just have to dip into my emergency savings. Cut down on extra groceries this week.”

And then the next...

“It’s going to be okay!” She placed a hand on my arm. “You’ll figure it out like you always do.”

I nodded with a forced smile, trying my best to believe her optimistic words.

“I may have something to help take your mind off your mortgage woes. Will’s friend Ethan is coming to the club tonight, and I thought maybe you two might hit it off.”

While I’d gone on many dates, I never really felt that spark, that longing to continue seeing them. Not to mention, the expectations of a sexual relationship intimidated me. Because ofthat, things would typically fizzle out after the first or second date. In the end, I’d decided I didn’t have the desire nor the time to deal with any kind of commitment. I had enough on my plate these days.

“I’ve met him a few times,” Dorina said. “He’s really nice. Gorgeous. Smart. Successful.”

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