Page 20 of The Love We Make

I look over the set, pondering Nora Levine a few minutes longer. The previous weekend, when Austin just kept going on and on about how absolutely out-of-this-world amazing Juan was, I went out on a limb and texted Nora. I hadn’t expected her to text me back, but she did, and we had a short but fun exchange. But Kate’s right. I shouldn’t take any of this personally. Besides, it’s about time to stop thinking about Nora Levine altogether—and, perhaps, focus my attention on finding someone who delights in seeing me.

CHAPTER9

NORA

Austin must really take after his father, because he doesn’t look like Mimi at all. He’s all curly blond locks and piercing blue eyes. His cheeks are the kind you’d want to pinch, if you were so inclined, whereas Mimi’s cheekbones are sharp and defined. He does have the same warm, enthusiastic way his mother has. It’s easy enough to see why anyone would fall for him, although I still have my doubts about Juan. Sure, he’s smitten now, but how long will it last?

“My mom says hi,” Austin says. “While my sisters are the greenest of green with envy.” He looks at Imani’s dress. “Come to think of it, about as green as that lovely shade of emerald you have on, darling.” He speaks to Imani as though he has known her forever.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me for brunch at the St James’ tomorrow, Nora?” Juan asks. “You’d make their day.”

“I’m sure,” I say drily. “You can always take Imani if you need a wingwoman.”

“No more wing persons required.” Austin drapes his arm over Juan’s shoulders and smooches him on the cheek. “It’s all in the bag already.”

Granted, they are cute together, but someone has to keep a shred of realism about them—it’s usually me.

“Is your self-partnered sister into men or women?” Juan leans into Austin’s embrace. “‘Cause this gorgeous lady’s on the prowl.” He points at Imani.

“Jen’s not looking,” Austin says matter-of-factly.

“A bit like Nora then. I get it and I respect it,” Juan says.

“You must have so many suitors though, Nora.” Austin hasn’t been around me long enough to know not to say silly things like that. Juan leaves me to fend for myself. His boyfriend and I are getting to know each other so I’ll let him off the hook. Austin slants his head. “I totally respect my sister’s decision to be single, although I’m not allowed to call it single when I’m around her. I’d never dream of pushing her into doing something she doesn’t want to. But boy, is it wonderful to be in love.”

“Aw,” Imani says.

“Does that mean you are also self-partnered?” Austin asks me. His sister has him drilled pretty good.

I scoff. “I’m just—yeah. I guess I am. If that means I’m perfectly happy by myself and prefer to be single, then yes. I declare myself successfully self-partnered.”

“Jennifer’s going to love you,” Austin says, as though it’s a foregone conclusion that I’m going to meet his sister just because he’s dating my best friend. At least he doesn’t ask me what most people would: but for heaven’s sake, Nora, why? Maybe Juan did warn him about that.

“What about your mom?” Juan asks.

“What about her?” There’s something instantly defensive about Austin at the mention of his mother.

“She’s single and looking,” Juan says.

“Jay,” Imani says, using her stern voice. “Please.”

“Oh, I’m just playing. I can’t wait to get to know your family better, babe—especially your mom.”

“You’ll have to get past my sisters first.” Austin grins at Juan. “They’re going to be all over you. Prepare for twenty-thousand questions about Nora.”

“Story of my life.” Juan shrugs. “But if it weren’t for Nora, I might never have met you.” The smile on his face as he leans into Austin is so sweet, I barely recognize my best friend.

“So.” Austin fixes his gaze on Imani. “What’s your story, girl? Why is a delightful, charming, intelligent, and gorgeous woman like yourself single?”

“Because The Bitch left her and broke her heart into a million pieces,” Juan says.

“She must really be quite the bitch if she left the likes of you.” Austin shakes his head.

“Darling,” Imani says, “What you see here, is not all you get.” She laughs her devilish laugh—the one she only belts out occasionally.

“I didn’t for one second think it was,” Austin replies. He’s not intimidated by my friends in the least—maybe he also gets that from his mother.

I tune out their banter and wonder what Mimi is doing tonight. Working? Babysitting one of her grandkids? Or maybe she’s on a date. Did Juan just imply she was looking? When we had dinner, Mimi asked about my relationship status, but I never asked about hers, although I know she’s single. Why would I need to know more than that? I only have to look at my own life to realize that the ways of the world can be strange and unpredictable, and maybe Mimi and Imani will somehow end up together—who knows?—but until then, I don’t need to worry about Austin’s mother’s dating life for one single second. Nor about my own.

---