Page 4

Chapter Four

IZZIE

I usually only bartend at Triana, but when Paco, my boss, called me earlier asking if was interested in working as a waitress at a private event he was catering, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for two reasons. One, I need the extra cash, and two, the private event is hosted by the owner of the Miami Lions, and that means Jane’s fiancé will be there. I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, and I’m damn curious about the young goalie.

I’m about to head out the front door when Jane comes bursting through, out of breath and with a panicked glint in her eyes.

“Jeez, where’s the fire?”

“I have to get ready. We were just booked to perform at the Miami Lions’ party.”

“Wait? Really? I’m working at the party.”

Her blue eyes widen. “You are? Do you have to leave right now? We could drive together.”

I look at my watch. “I need to be there early to help with setup. Can you be ready in ten minutes?”

“Yes, I’ll take a quick shower and grab my things. I’ll put on my costume and makeup on-site.”

The front door opens again, and Lydia strides in with her manic pixie energy, followed by Mari Carmen. The teens couldn’t be more different than one another—Lydia takes after my mother with her high energy and no-filter mouth. Mari Carmen is quiet and shy. But they’ve been friends since kindergarten.

Lydia drops her backpack in the middle of the entry hallway and asks, “Are you leaving for the Lions party already?”

I narrow my eyes. “In a few minutes. Why?”

“Great! Then I can come with you.”

“Excuse me? I’m going to work, Lydia.”

“Mari Carmen said I could come.”

I turn to Paco’s daughter. “What’s going on?”

“I asked Dad if I could come and bring Lydia. We’re going to help him.”

I know Mari Carmen will actually help her father. Lydia won’t. She’ll be trolling for autographs and selfies. I wish I could say not my problem . Paco knows how Lydia is. But I can’t simply not care. She’s my sister, and therefore, my responsibility. Besides, I don’t want her doing anything embarrassing in front of Chad or, God forbid, Jackson Darcy. When I googled Chad, several pictures of him came up standing next to Major Stick Up His Ass. They’re friends.

“Have you asked Mom if you can go to the party?”

“Not yet. Mom!” Lydia shouts as she walks down the hallway. “Mom!”

“Are you sure your father said it was okay to bring Lydia?” I ask Mari Carmen.

“Yeah, as long as I don’t let her wander off on her own.”

I grimace. Good luck with that . Sometimes I wonder if Paco can ever say no to Mari Carmen. Her mother died when she was a baby, and he’s been raising the kid alone. He spoils her rotten, and I honestly don’t know how she’s not a brat.

Lydia returns to the entry hallway with Mom in tow, talking at a hundred miles per hour. “The party will be great, Mom. Lots of famous people will be there.”

Mom looks at me. “Izzie, what party is Lydia going on about?”

The less details Mom knows, the better. “I don’t know, Mom. Paco asked if I wanted to work at a private event. That’s all I know.”

“It’s a party for the Miami Lions! All the hockey players will be there. Please, Mom, can I go?”

Mom’s eyes light up. “Hockey players, you say?”

“Yes. It’s gonna be so much fun.”

I can tell Mom is no longer listening to Lydia. The gears in her head are working furiously as she appraises me. “Are you sure you want to wear your hair like that?”

I touch my low ponytail. “Yes, Mom. I need to wear my hair like this. It’s part of the dress code.”

She presses her lips into a thin, flat line.

Jane joins us then, looking like a goddess with her beautiful, silky blonde hair and perfect skin. “I’m ready,” she announces, not knowing what she walked into.

Hope flares in Mom’s eyes. “Are you performing at the party?”

“Yes. Why?”

“What dress are you wearing?”

“The usual red and black dress.”

“What about after the performance?”

Jane looks at her leggings, ballet flats, and oversize off-the-shoulder top. “Uh… this?”

I can sense Mom has a retort on the tip of her tongue, so I butt in. “We need to go, Mom.”

“Wait! I can’t go like this.” Lydia points at her jeans.

“Did you just assume I’d give you a ride?” I arch a brow.

“Dad sent you a text. Did you not get it?” Mari Carmen asks.

“No.”

“See, now you have to wait.” Lydia smirks.

“Oh, I could drive you, hon,” Mom offers.

The horror. I lock eyes with Jane and see distress in hers. If Mom drives Lydia to the party, she’ll find a way to come inside and stay. If having Lydia at the party is a bad idea, having Mom there would be disastrous.

I glance at my watch again. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late. But it’s Paco’s fault for letting his daughter invite Lydia and asking me to drive her and his daughter.

“Oh fine. I’ll wait for you to change clothes, but be quick about it,” I tell Lydia.

“Okay. Give me five minutes, ten tops. Come on, Mari Carmen.” The girls run down the hallway, leaving Mom pouting.

“I could have driven them.”

“Then you would be late to cook dinner. You know that Dad can’t function in the kitchen. He’d probably burn the house down.”

She frowns. “That’s true.”

“Where’s Dad, anyway?” Jane asks.

Mom turns toward the living room. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s in the stables checking on the horses. I’d better go find him.”

Dad used to be a polo player, and once he retired, he dedicated his life to the ranch. He’s great with horses and training them, but lately, things have been difficult. He doesn’t have as many clients as he used to, and it’s been hard financially. That’s why Mom’s so excited about Jane going to the party and meeting hockey players. I’m no prize, and I doubt I’ll catch the eye of anyone unless they’re glaring at me.

Mom’s putting all her hopes on my beautiful sister marrying well, and her future husband taking care of the family. Little does she know; Jane has already done that without Mom’s meddling.

I hate that that’s what she expects Jane to do. I know Jane would never marry someone for his money, and if she said yes to Chad Bingley, it’s because she truly loves him.

“Thanks for the save,” Jane says once Mom leaves us alone. “I’d be a nervous wreck knowing I’d have to introduce Mom to Chad while she was busy playing matchmaker.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But you’re going to be late. You know what? Why don’t I wait for Lydia, and you go ahead?”

“What about driving only one car? I know why you don’t want to take yours.”

Jane blushes. “It’s okay. I can follow Chad to his house in my car.”

“All right. I’ll go then. See you in a bit.”