Page 86 of Past Due

Chapter Twenty-One

Mom?

Are you okay?

I haven’t heard from you in days.

Mom?

Please, call me!

Mom.

I’m getting married today.

Mom?

“Quit fluttering your eyelashes,” Rina chastised with a giggle. “I can’t get this eyeliner straight if you keep moving.”

“Well, stop trying to jab my eye with that sharp stick,” I shot back, laughing.

"She’s so dramatic, right?” Aston interjected conspiratorially. Her smiling face filled Rina’s iPad that we had propped up on the closest table. She watched from the comfort of her own bed, piping up every now and then to offer her opinion on makeup colors and hairstyles. “This is why I stopped glamming her up when we were in college together. She’s impossible!”

“I’m sitting right here, you know?” I grumbled, my eyes still closed as Rina applied the eyeliner.

“But not sitting still,” Rina said in a sing-song voice. “Okay. What do you think?”

I checked my reflection in the mirror and couldn’t help but grin giddily. “It’s perfect.”

“Let me see!” Aston called out. “Move the iPad closer!”

“Is she always this bossy?” Rina asked as she picked up the iPad.

“Always,” I confirmed.

“I’m not bossy. I’m assertive,” Aston corrected haughtily. “Now, show me!”

Rina held the iPad in front of me, giving Aston a full view of my bridal hair and makeup. Aston gasped—and then, to my horror, she began to cry. Not little silent tears either. Big, gulping, ugly sobs.

“Aston?”

“I’m sorry,” she cried. “You’re just so beautiful, and you look so happy. It’s your wedding day! I should be there,” she wailed. “You’re my best friend in the whole world. You’re more than a friend. You’re my sister. We’ve been through everything together, and I should be there now.”

“You will be,” I assured her. “You’ll be able to see the whole ceremony.”

“It’s not the same,” she sobbed.

“I know, but it’s what we’ve got, Aston.”

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being so dramatic. ”

“It’s okay,” I said gently. “I can only imagine what kind of wild hormone swings you have right now.”

“The books and blogs say it gets worse the longer I’m pregnant!” She shuddered. “At this rate, I’ll be lucky if Ben doesn’t flee the country to get away from me.”

Unable to help myself, I laughed. Aston pouted, but a smile slowly transformed her mouth. “You’re a mess, Aston.”

“I know.” She sniffled again and dabbed at her face with tissues she plucked from a nearby box. “Okay. Stand up. Let me see the whole ensemble.”

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