I take a sip of water to give myself time to marshal some composure. Then I clear my throat loudly. “I, uh, have something to say to all of you.”
Everyone quiets down one by one. Hugo’s lips are pulled in tight in disapproval.
I ignore him. “It’s about…” Engagement. I’m engaged to Aaron.
My mouth opens but refuses to form any words.
Hugo’s shoulders start to relax.
Since I’ve suddenly gone mute, I raise my left hand. The sapphire ring glitters under the restaurant lights. It’s still incorrectly sized because I’m not wasting the effort to get it fixed, but since Edgar pointed out my “rude gesture,” I extend all of the fingers rather than just the middle one.
“See this?” I croak out.
Everyone—except Hugo—looks confused. Tía Bea squints, and Mama shakes her head.
“Not really your style, is it?” Mama says hesitantly.
The man isn’t my style, either, Mama. I wonder when she’s going to put things together, because the announcement is stuck in my throat for the moment.
“The stone is too small,” Hugo grouses.
“Do jewelry stores take stuff back?” Tío Manny asks Mama. “If you bring it with a receipt, you know…?”
“The ring looks old. She probably got it secondhand.” Tía Bea turns to me. “Don’t worry, dear.” Her tone is positively consoling. “Everyone buys bad jewelry sometimes. Just ask your mama. Why don’t you pawn it? Recoup some of the cost?”
Oh, if only I could send it back to the asshole it came from!
“I can’t,” I say. “It’s…” God. It physically hurts to say it.
Angel cocks an eyebrow. “It’s…?”
Hugo makes a cutting motion across his neck, shaking his head.
Too late, cousin!
“It’s…” I inhale deeply and arrange my facial muscles into what I hope is a happy smile. “It’s an engagement ring. I’m engaged.”
“Engaged?” Papa looks around. “To whom?”
“Are you engaged to yourself?” Hugo’s brother Rinaldo booms. I bet that’s the voice he uses to put God’s fear into slothful staff members at the Aylster Hotel, where he’s the director of rooms. “Where’s the guy? He has to be here to introduce himself to the family.”
“Rinaldo’s right.” A scowl carves deep lines on Tío Manny’s face. “This is…disrespectful.”
Shit. I should’ve seen this coming. Of course they’re insulted that Aaron isn’t here to say hello, leaving me to do the announcement alone. On the other hand, if he were here, I might’ve been tempted to stab him with my fork. I don’t know where all the major arteries are, but I can always ask Pablo before making an attempt.
Suddenly, there’s a commotion outside. I can hear Becky saying, “Sir? Sir! You can’t go in there. It’s a private party!”
There’s only one private party today—ours. We took the party room for this dinner…which means…
Oh shit. Is Aaron here?
But why? I told him not to come!
Stop him, Becky! Hit him with a chair, like a pro wrestler! The chairs at Manny’s are sturdy. They won’t break.
But apparently she’s no match for the intruder, because the door starts to open.
Oh my God. It’s going to be exponentially more difficult to fake happiness now. Maybe Hugo is going to follow through on what he said earlier and punch Aaron in the face. Bad for Aaron…but it would help me project some bridal delight.