It was the only card I had to play and, for Jet, I played it.
Jet was smiling at me, beautiful and huge.
Eddie wasn’t smiling, exactly, but I could see his dimple.
Hector was shaking his head but his eyes were warm and intense in a new way that was mixed with humor and affection and that brought back that lovely, snug, comfy feeling.
Tex’s head snapped in my direction.
“Fuckin’ A, woman, you’ve never had a s’more?” he boomed.
I shook my head.
“Christ, everyone’s gotta have a s’more before they die. Fuck that shit, I’ll build a fire in my backyard tonight and I’ll stop by Kumar’s on the way home to get the stuff. Everyone can come by –”
Damn and blast!
Tex was being really nice but he was ruining everything!
“No,” I cut in quickly, “I can wait until Jet’s wedding.”
“There’s no waitin’ for s’mores,” Tex boomed back.
“But –” I started.
“No lip!” Tex boomed again.
“Sadie and I have plans tonight,” Hector put in smoothly and Tex’s eyes went to him, they narrowed then I watched as the light dawned and, slowly, he sat back.
“I’ll make you a s’more latte so you’ll have somethin’ to go on until Jet and Eddie’s wedding,” Tex told me then his eyes moved to Jet. “Now, where’s this f**kin’ barn and do I have to wear a f**kin’ tie?”
The power, I could tell, had shifted.
I could tell this because Nancy and Blanca went thin-lipped.
“Yay!” I shouted as my finale, hoping to shift the balance irrevocably to Jet’s side. To do this, I clapped, YoYo yapped happily in my lap and maybe I went a little OTT. “Roasted hog!” I cried happily. “Hayrides! Bonfires! I… can’t… wait!”
Blanca and Nancy looked at each other.
I held my breath.
They stayed silent.
That’s when I knew we won
They didn’t like it but they didn’t push it.
I let out my breath and sat back.
My work was done.
And, believe it or not, Jet gave me a look of such shining gratitude, no kidding, I almost cried right there on the spot (I, of course, did not).
Then before we left (believe it or not again!), she asked me to be a bridesmaid.
Me!
A bridesmaid!