Page 126 of Never With You
“I hate to break it to you, but you’ll have to wait for grandchildren.” I shake my head with a smile. “We’ve only been officially dating for two weeks. Let’s just give it some time.”
“I’m happy to wait.” My mom puts her arm around my shoulder. “I’m just glad to see you. If Nate is to thank for getting you to spend some time with us, then there’s no rush on anything else.”
I’m not sure what exactly changed, if it was Nate or me, but I’m finally realizing there’s a place in my life for my crazy family. I just had to accept them for who they are and then make room for that relationship.
* * *
Nateand I walk hand in hand into Oregano’s for my monthly friends' dinner.
“Since when did it become cool to bring your significant other to girls’ night out?” Blair mutters.
“If Juliet can bring Vinny every once in a while, why can’t I bring Nate?” I wait for Nate to pull out a chair for me before I sit.
Vinny’s hands lift. “Hey, leave me out of this.”
“I’ll leave if this isn’t allowed.” Nate points over his shoulder to the exit.
“It’s fine.” Camila waves Blair off. “She just doesn’t like the reminder that she’s single with no prospects.”
Blair runs her fingers through her short black hair. “I’m only single because I work all the time.”
“You and me both.” Camila gives her a commiserating look.
“That’s why you have to date someone at work.” I fold my napkin onto my lap. “Are there any cute lawyers at your office?”
Camila smiles, playfully tossing her black curly hair behind one shoulder. “Not that I haven’t already gone out with and ghosted.”
I frown then look at Blair. “What about cute IT guys at your work?”
“I don’t think cute and IT go together in the same sentence. Mostly, I just want to kill the men I work with.”
“There still could be potential there.” Nate laughs. “I’m pretty sure Carly wanted to kill me before she got to know me better.”
Blair shakes her head. “It’s not the same.”
“Well, I have an announcement to make that might explain why Vinny is here tonight.” Juliet sits up taller then pauses, dramatically looking around the table until she’s sure she has everyone’s attention. She flips her left hand out in front of everyone, showing off a princess-cut diamond. “Vinny and I are engaged!”
My mouth falls open, and I immediately swing my eyes to Emma. Her face turns pale against her red hair as she studies the engagement ring. Camila, Blair, and I exchange knowing glances.
Juliet’s smile falters. “How come no one is saying anything? Aren’t you excited for us?”
“We’re just shocked,” I sputter, searching for a smile. I guess I always thought Emma and Vinny would somehow find their way back to each other.
“Of course we’re excited.” Emma does her best to fake it. She grabs Juliet’s hand and examines the ring. “It’s beautiful.” As she looks up, Vinny and her lock eyes, until she sucks in a quick breath and looks away.
“So exciting!” Blair gushes.
Camila grabs her hand. “Yeah, the ring is beautiful.”
“When’s the big day?” Nate asks, mostly looking at Vinny.
“We were thinking?—”
Juliet places her hand on Vinny’s arm as she interrupts. “Don’t ask him. He doesn’t have a say in any of this.”
We all listen as Juliet tells us the story of how he proposed, which mostly is about her dropping hints until Vinny finally did it. From the corner of my eye, I watch Emma, and my heart breaks. It’s not like she didn’t know this was coming, but I know it hurts her.
“Well, that’s really exciting.” Blair holds her glass up. “The first of us to get married.”
