The Hustle (Irreparable 4)

“Oh, come on, tell me about the bedroom? Is he . . .”

“Whoa!” I wave my hands in front of me. “Stop, no way. Not going there.”

“Oh, come on. You can’t be embarrassed. You’re a grown woman and great sex is important for a healthy marriage. I just want to make sure you know that. I mean . . . You don’t want to promise forever to average, do you?”

What I want is to die of humiliation, but I figure appeasing her so we can move on is best. “Don’t worry. We’re way above average. Can we talk about something else now?”

“Yes,” she answers, sitting on the couch. Her expression is more serious now. “Tell me what kind of man he is.”

“He’s . . .” I smile. “Brilliant and unexpected. He’s complex and funny.”

“A sense of humor is good. You don’t want to promise forever to a bore either.”

Aidan is definitely not boring, I think to myself. “You know he’s fierce and loyal. He’s a good man, Mom. And he’s a terrific father.”

Pride twinkles in her blue eyes again. “Oh, yes, when do I get to meet Javier?”

“He’ll be here in a little while.”

I see a hint of worry in her expression. With everything my parents and I argued about Aidan’s past, Javier was the biggest hurdle. As traditional people, the thought of me being with a single dad was a hard pill for them to swallow. Though thankfully, they’re conscious enough that, with a little time, they were able to get out of their own way and understand Javier is a gift.

“I’m glad he has you.” It takes me a moment to realize she’s talking about Javier. I throw my arms around her to hug her tight. “You’re going to be a terrific mother.”

I wasn’t necessarily ready to be a mom, but hearing I’ll be great at it from my mother means everything to me.

Later that afternoon, Tori and Liv show up to bring Javier home and to go with me to the tailor’s to pick up my dress. It’s abundantly clear when we leave the guys that my father is already wrapped around Javier’s little finger.

As we walk to the tailor, I think about how very soon, I’m going to be Aidan’s wife. It’s surreal, as it seems like just yesterday I was packing up and moving home to forget I ever met him. Not that I would have been able to forget. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, I knew he was the one. I tried to deny it. He was forward in a way that felt wrong, but each time he looked at me, I turned to complete and utter mush on the inside.

I couldn’t fight him and when I finally caved, he was gone. My epic love . . . loved someone else. Someone he lost. I never thought he’d move beyond the suffering of losing Maria, but somehow he found the strength. It’s her memory that keeps him strong. That keeps all of us strong. It’s strange to think, but I hope she

’s happy. And more than anything, I hope I can be the influence Maria wants me to be in Javier’s life.

“Are you okay?” my mother asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’m perfect,” I say with a smile. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“You look so beautiful.” My mother weeps into her hands as I step out of the fitting room and stand in front of the full-length, three-part mirror.

I love the simplicity of the dress. The only noticeable details are the thirty satin buttons running down the back. It’s how the dress fits that truly makes me feel beautiful. As I stare at the reflection, admiring the tailor’s exceptional work, I see Liv behind me. She’s not smiling and doting in the same way as Tori and my mother. Instead she glances at her cell phone several times and to the door like she’s hoping for an excuse to leave. She probably is. Her wedding would have been last week and as we meet eyes, I feel how incredibly hard it is for her to be happy right now.

“Hey, Liv, will you do me a favor?”

“Sure, anything,” she says, standing up.

“Mom, give Liv some cash. There’s a Starbuck’s on the corner, and I could really use some coffee.”

Liv shakes off the money my mom offers. “I got it,” she says and I love the bright smile on her face. “Anyone else?”

Both Tori and my mom tell her what they would like. As she breezes by me toward the exit, I hear her whisper, “Thank you.”

After another few minutes, I change out of the dress and the clerk packs it up in a garment bag where it will remain until this time next week.

Liv returns with our coffees and we explore for a bit downtown. While my mom and Tori venture ahead, I walk with Liv. “I’m sorry I was a bummer earlier,” she says with her gaze lowered.

“Not a bummer at all.”

“Thanks for letting me off the hook.” I smile and notice my mom and Tori have stopped to watch a street performer playing the guitar.