Page 80 of Dear Pink

“Thanks for the invite. I would love to help.” I gather the bags containing the nail colors, including five light pastel colors I grabbed after they left, and a bottle of wine for Franny.

We enter the house and my senses flood with the strong scents of garlic, oregano, and onions. I calm down immediately. This home is a remedy for any sad mood. I love it here.

“The house smells delicious.”

Gina leads us to the kitchen. “Yeah, Mom’s a true Italian chef.”

Franny rounds the corner. “Oh good, you’re here.” She takes the wine and squeezes me tight. “Tiramisu or cheesecake? I can’t decide.”

I hug her, loving the Mom-ness of her. “How to choose? Both are my favorites.”

“Both it is. I hope you came hungry. I made fresh garlic bread too.”

“You’ll have to roll me out of here after dinner. I might fall into a carb coma.”

“That’s the idea.” Franny grins and opens the wine. “Head into the living room. The girls plan to stage the beauty shop in there.”

I place my Target bag on the sofa and a throat clears behind me. I spin, surprised to find Gloria scowling, hands on her hips. She glares for a moment without speaking. Her angry facial expression sobers my mood. Oh, I’m in trouble. She knows about me and Gabe. I must escape before she kicks my ass. Isn’t that what siblings do for each other, kick their enemies’ butts?

I glance around, wondering if I walked into an ambush, but the other sisters have conveniently disappeared. Great. They sent in the heavy to deal with me. I deserve whatever she plans to throw at me . . . I think.

“We gotta talk.” She pokes me in the chest with her sharp fingernail. “Are you playing games with Gabe’s head? He doesn’t deserve any more relationship problems in his life. Elise did a number on him, and it took him a year to recover from the anguish. I won’t allow any more bullshit.”

I gulp. Elise was terrible to Gabe. Did I behave in a similar manner? Maybe I did. But wait, no, I didn’t cheat.

Gabriela walks into the living room, interrupting the scene. “Stop it, Gloria. We agreed to remove ourselves from Gabe’s dating drama.”

Gloria turns to her sister. “She ghosted him for no reason. This is exactly what I mean. It’s Elise all over again.”

Gabriela shakes her head. “We don't understand Hannah’s side of the story,andit’s none of our beeswax.”

Gloria ignores Gabriela’s attempts to defuse the tense situation. “We should make it our business.”

My neck hurts from the verbal tennis match in front of me. I should have snuck out the front door when I had a chance. Hell, I shouldn’t have accepted the dinner invitation in the first place.

Pinned against the sofa, my only escape is inside the couch. I plop onto the deep cushions to hide among the many pillows.

Gabriela moves her hands to her hips and faces Gloria. “You don’t like when people ask you about Jacob.”

“Don’t go there,” Gloria mutters under her breath.

“Don’t go where, exactly? Don’t pry into your relationship with Jacob, Glory?” She saysrelationshiplike it’s a dirty word. Seems Gloria has a secret of her own.

“Are your ears broken? I said not to go there.” Her nostrils flare in anger.

“What?” Gabriela says in a mock innocent tone “You don’t enjoy discussingyoursex life?”

“Screw you and shut the hell up.” Gloria’s voice rings loud and strong.

Franny yells, “Language,” from the kitchen. Great. I’ll either be the star witness in this family battle or the cause of it.

Ghita runs into the living room. “Hey, you guys. Chill out. Let’s stay out of their shit. Okay?”

I guess theyallheard Gloria’s version of the story. And is her version wrong? I ghosted him, lied about my plans, and got caught red-handed with Mexican takeout. I consider throwing the couch blanket over my head. Would they think I disappeared? Ha. I giggle into my hand at the image.

“Girls, I said language.” Franny appears with a sponge in her hand, wiping splattered tomato sauce off her shirt.

“Sorry, Ma,” Gloria says. She turns her attention to me, her face softer. “Gabriela’s right. It’s none of my business. I’m sorry.”

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