Say Forever(29)

I raise my water glass as his uncle recites some sort of sappy congrats. I'm so numb from apprehension, I don't even remember what he says. When everyone says "salud" and clinks their glasses, I notice Marie sitting in her seat with her hands fisted by her plate.

She can't even toast us. What the hell is her problem?

Everyone downs their champagne and then the table breaks into a chorus of chatter. Tia leans across the table, saying something to me about wedding preparations. I know I need to tell her my mom is handling everything, but Tia is so excited, I hate to let her down, especially here in front of everyone... in front of Marie.

Andrés nudges me several times during dinner when he sees me picking at my enchiladas. I mumble that I'm not that hungry as I push food around on my plate. Then Andrés's gaze travels to his cousin, who's been shooting eye darts at me the whole time. My stomach churns when I see them locked in a stare-down.

Finally, Marie gets up, thrusts her chair against the table, and stomps away. Andrés doesn't say a word, but he squeezes my hand tight before leaning over and kissing my temple. That's his way of apologizing for his cousin. And though I appreciate him trying to soothe me, it doesn't change Marie's attitude. It's obvious she doesn't like me. I only hope she keeps her opinion to herself and doesn't try to ruin this wedding.


***


Tia and I clear the dishes, along with Andrés's other aunt Inez. The guys go into the den to watch football. I notice Marie follows them and doesn't offer any help in the kitchen. Andrés's aunts keep telling me to go with the guys, but I can't leave them with all these dishes. Besides, I've never been a fan of football. That's what I tell myself, anyway. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I don't want to be in the same room with Marie. I suspect she's probably giving Andrés a hard time right now. The more I think about the way she reacted at dinner, the more my insides burn with anger.

I rotate my sore neck and set another platter on the drying rack. I shouldn't have sketched so long today, but I was so enamored with those little flowers, I couldn't stop drawing them. I can't wait until this dress is finished. I can already tell it will be beautiful.

"You should have Andrés rub that kink for you." Tia winks before bumping me with her hip.

"Ohhh, I like a good kinky rubbing," Inez says with a throaty growl as she fans her heavy breasts with a dishtowel.

Tia laughs so hard, she snorts.

Oh, gawd, I'm flanked by two horny old women. I can't help the blush that creeps into my cheeks, flaming my face like wildfire.

"Now that the dishes are finished, we'll open a bottle of wine and start planning this wedding." Tia smiles broadly at me as she nods toward a barstool at the counter.

"Arturo and I will do the catering," Inez says matter-of-factly as she stacks the last dry dish and wipes her hands on her apron. "You like Mexican food, don't you, Christina?"

"Of course she does," Tia says as she grabs a bottle of wine from the fridge and two glasses. "Haven't you seen the way she scarfs down my tamales?" She sets the glasses on the counter and pops the cork, then flashes me a knowing grin. "You can't drink, can you, mija?"

"No." I shake my head as I dry my hands on a towel. I didn't think I could get any redder, but I feel the flush all the way to my toes. Both of Andrés's aunts are looking at me with smirks and raised brows.

Inez comes up to me and places a chubby hand on my belly. When she leans over, breathing against my neck, I can smell the strong residue of wine on her breath. "Pssst," she whispers rather loudly to me before nodding her head toward Tia. "Her oldest boy was born seven months after she married."

"Inez!" Tia shrieks before throwing a towel at her.

"What?" Inez shrugs before slanting a sideways grin. "I didn't always pay attention in school, but I can add seven plus two."

Tia's tanned cheeks flush pink. "He was premature."

Inez rolls her eyes. "He was ten pounds!"

"Enough," Tia holds out both hands before picking up her glass and gingerly taking a sip. "We need to plan the wedding."

"Uh," I say as I anxiously eye one woman, then the other. "My mom hired a wedding planner, and I'm not sure who she's getting to cater the wedding."

Inez looks at me with an arched brow. "Find out who she's using and cancel them. The Cruz family caters all of our own weddings. "

"I'll let them know," I say with a hesitant smile, though I already suspect what my mom will say. She was pretty adamant about those shrimp puffs.

Tia looks at me expectantly with one hand on her hip. "Your mom is planning the whole wedding?"