Page 3 of The Unexpected Lineup (Lost in Translation #2)

FINDING TIME FOR A TIME-SUCKING ACTIVITY SUCH AS MODERN DATING IS LAST ON MY LIST

HAISLEY

Maravilla is a family legacy built on decades of hard work, sacrifices, and innovation.

As the first grandchild, I inherited my mother’s board seat after her passing, but I never aspired to be part of it.

My extended family ran the company fine without me, calling me into monthly meetings once I was legally an adult.

Now, those meetings happen weekly with major changes on the horizon.

Balancing my role on the board with my career as a fashion buyer has been a challenge for the past six months.

I’m still determined to carve out my own path rather than work solely for the family business.

But I’m starting to slowly realize this pace may not be sustainable much longer.

There needs to be some changes if I want to keep both roles.

The alarm blares again, taking me away from my thoughts.

Shutting it off, I drag myself out of my warm, comfy, king-sized bed.

Downstairs, I start my morning routine by gathering green smoothie ingredients, then open my cupboard of funny mugs.

Grabbing the one that says Bad Ass Bitch Fuel , I fill it halfway with cold brew and add pumpkin spice creamer.

One sip in, I set it down and start tossing smoothie ingredients into the blender.

While the blender does its thing, I run back upstairs for my phone. Five missed calls and a string of texts from tío Pepe, the CEO, greet me. My stomach tightens as I skim through them.

Tío Pepe

Why aren’t you answering your phone?

Oh, sorry, I forgot the time difference.

I wanted to let you know that the meeting is canceled today.

Let's talk later.

Te amo, mi nina.

Phew. Nothing major. I love how he calls me a little girl, even though I’m well into my thirties. I'm about to reply when a crashing sound comes from the ground floor.

Fuck, my smoothie!

As I return to the kitchen, a green mess greets me. The lid popped off before the entire jug fell, and now my breakfast is everywhere. Spinach, kale, chia seeds, and other ingredients are smeared across the counter, the walls, and the floor. There’s even some on the ceiling.

I unplug the appliance. “Well, shit,” I whisper into the quiet room and my body starts shaking. My uncontrolled laughter fills the space, and I swipe my watering eyes on my pajama sleeve.

Moments like this make me wish I lived with a partner, someone who’d groan at the mess with me, then help clean it up while we laughed through the chaos.

But no, I'm the most single person in a ten-mile radius.

And that says a lot because I live in a city known for having a large percentage of single people.

Taking a quick photo of the current situation, I send it to my best friend, Soph, knowing she’s pulling an all-nighter at a recording studio.

Haisley

Meet me at Fred’s in 30?

Soph

What the fuck happened??

Haisley

My blender turned into Hulk and had a meltdown

Soph

I think it's mad you didn’t add enough kale (which is disgusting btw)

Haisley

It's a freaking crime scene in here, but everything’s puke green instead of bloody red

Soph

I knew those daily smoothies were evil when you told me you started drinking them last month

Haisley

You aren't wrong. I need caffeine and our specialty to get through this.

Soph

I'll be there with Lactaid *peace sign*

Chuckling, I react with a thumbs up to her latest text and start cleaning the mess around me. This was not how today was supposed to start, but I better get moving if I want to be at the diner in half an hour.

Let’s be honest, it’ll take me at least forty-five minutes to get there. But Soph already knows that.

Fred’s is an old-school diner from the sixties located about halfway from my place to where Soph used to live with her parents.

We found it by accident a few years ago after a night out and have returned many times since.

Now that my best friend lives with her partner, we visit the place less frequently.

But mornings like today scream for waffles with extra whipped cream and strawberries, not to forget Fred’s signature brew that I still haven't managed to copy at home.

Stepping in, the bell above the door signals my arrival. Tove, a sweetheart of a waitress in her twenties, turns my way and smiles warmly. “Soph is in the corner booth. I'll bring coffee after putting your order in. It’s a quiet morning, so I should have that for you soon!”

Thanking her, I walk toward my best friend, who's checking something on her phone. She looks tired but happy.

“Rough night?” I ask, taking off my pink overcoat and placing it on the bench. My flower-printed scarf follows with the bigger yellow handbag.

“Is it that obvious?” Soph rubs her tired eyes. “My producer and I wanted to have tonight off, so we stayed up all night writing and trying new things. But I can’t complain. I love it all.”

Tove brings me a glass of water and a steaming cup of coffee, leaving another smaller cup of cream with it. I love that she remembers how I want my morning beverage.

“How’s the album coming along?”

My friend lets out a content sigh. “It's all I’ve ever wanted, if I'm being honest. Being able to work on my music with all these big names is truly a dream come true. It's hard to believe that this is my life.”

“Chica, you deserve it all and more. It’s not surprising how far you've come since bartending between your sets at Warm’n’Cool.”

“You’re only saying that because you're my best friend.”

I trace the condensation on my glass. “You know I don't talk shit.”

“True. So, what happened with the meeting you were supposed to have?”

“Who knows? My tío Pepe said it's canceled without giving me any reason.”

“Well, I'm glad we could meet before we go out tonight.”

“Why?” I ask with a frown.

Soph suddenly looks uncomfortable, fidgeting in her seat. “Um, I've been a bit worried about how you're doing. ”

“Don’t—”

“Let me finish, H,” my best friend mutters. “It's just that you have such a busy schedule with your day job alone. In addition, your family business has been taking up more of your time lately. Then there's the fact you haven't even mentioned dating in months. That’s very unlike you.”

I let out a frustrated huff, not wanting to admit she’s right. “My days are packed without any space for extracurricular activities.”

“I get that, but I still worry.”

“And all the material for my family business is in Spanish, too, so I've been learning a lot of new corporate jargon lately. I thought I was fluent, but it’s challenging when there’s specific terminology for a certain topic that I’ve never read about. Lots of googling, for sure.”

“At least that's positive, right? Learning more of your second language is never a waste.”

“True, but I haven't even been to Pilates in weeks, either. So finding time for a time-sucking activity such as modern dating is last on my list.”

“You should let loose for tonight and focus on yourself. No work, no family matters, no obligations. Have fun, live a little.”

“I mean, it wouldn’t hurt. I do miss dancing and meeting new people,” I admit in a whisper.

Her expression brightens. “That’s what I'm talking about!”

“I think I’m going to get more sleep before my hairdresser appointment this afternoon. And I’m getting my nails done to match my dress. ”

“Are you still keeping your costume a secret?”

“Yes, you have to wait until tonight to see it. But you should know it'll be my best one yet.”

“Any hints?”

I play with my hair, acting coy. “This won't be the golden blonde you're used to seeing. That's all I'll say.”

Tove brings our plates stacked with waffles and strawberries, and extra whipped cream. “Here you go, ladies. Enjoy.”

“Thanks, Tove,” we say in unison and take the first bites.

The sweetness of the berries mixed with the warm, crispy texture of the waffle makes me hum in delight. This place knows how to make breakfast feel like an indulgence.

“I’m so excited for Halloween,” Soph says between forkfuls. “I honestly can't remember the last time we went out with Rose, Marianne, and Timmy. It must’ve been over a year ago.”

“I know, right? It definitely has been too long. I miss them.”

We used to live together in a brownstone my parents own before all three of them moved in with their partners.

It was a big adjustment to live alone for the first time in my life.

But I'm now totally enjoying the freedom it brings.

There's no one to complain about dirty dishes in the sink or my music choices.

I get to listen to my girls, Britney, Christina, and P! nk without any comments.

Basically, I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want. And I freaking love it.

Being thirty-four, it was about time I experienced that. At the same time, I always thought I was going to have my own family by now. My parents were ten years younger than me when they had me. Heck, I'm already five years older than my biological mother was when she died unexpectedly.

“Where did you go?” Soph asks.

I take a sip of the coffee, enjoying its smoothness. “I was thinking about my mother and how I’m already older than she ever was.”

“She’d be so proud of you and the woman you've become.”

“Thanks.” I say with a melancholic tone to my voice.

“That’s what friends are for.”

While we finish our breakfast, Soph shares hilarious stories from the studio and how she’s been experimenting with some songs.

I’m fascinated by the way she’s changing in front of my eyes.

I’ve always loved my best friend’s carefree nature.

And since she met Jax and he introduced her to his cousin, who happens to own a successful record label, she’s blossomed.

Long gone is the lost young woman I met all those years ago.

And I love seeing that. I really do! But I can’t help but wonder if I need change in my life as well.

My mind keeps wandering, going back to the feelings I haven’t been able to shake off lately.

All my friends found partners and are living the next stages of their lives, and I’m still doing the same things I’ve been doing for years.

“Holy shit, Haisley!” Timmy exclaims as I open the door for him and Marianne later that evening. “You look so damn hot. Our own femme fatale. I didn’t know what to expect, but your outfit is literally fire. ”

I shimmy, running my hands down the front of the crimson satin dress that hugs my body perfectly. “Why, thank you.”

“If that ensemble doesn't make every head turn, I don't know what will,” he replies, giving me a long bear hug. “I’ve missed you so much, my sweet angel.”

“Same. The house has been so quiet without you and that cute cat of yours.”

“Pickles misses Auntie Haisley as well.”

Marianne steps inside behind Timmy, balancing her heels and a clutch in one hand while giving me a playful look. “You’re out to slay tonight. I love the hair.”

“Thanks, it took my hairdresser almost two hours to apply the wig.” I twirl a dark mahogany strand around my freshly manicured finger. “I wish I could pull something similar off outside Halloween. These long, sparkling red nails are the cherry on top of my outfit.”

“If anyone can pull this off any time of year, it’s you.”

“I mean, you might be right. But for tonight, it all helps in channeling my inner goddess,” I comment, taking two bottles of sparking rosé from Timmy. “Pregaming?”

“Obviously,” he states, walking toward the living room where Rose and Soph are waiting. “I’ll quickly say hi to the girls and then change into my get-up.”

Soph went all out with a silver sequin dress with dozens of tiny disco balls. Her short, dark curly hair is covered in glitter. It’ll be such a pain to get that all out by the end of the evening.

Rose’s choice for the evening is Belle’s blue dress from Beauty and the Beast, which fits her curvy body to a T. Her natural red curls match the outfit, even if that’s not Belle’s original coloring. But that isn’t the most eye-catching part.

“Oh, Rose, show us your bling!” Timmy exclaims, spotting her stunning engagement ring. Rose puts her left hand out, and we all admire the oval-cut diamond on a white gold vintage-styled band that shines almost as bright as our friend does.

“It’s so breathtaking,” I sigh dreamily. “Beyond beautiful.”

“Thank you. I can’t believe Eli custom-ordered it and got the design exactly right. It reminds me of my grandma’s ring, but still looks unique,” Rose explains.

“I love it,” Timmy comments and we all nod in agreement.

When he and Marianne disappear to the guest room after final glances at the ring, I pour us drinks. When they return the room fills with even more excitement.

Timmy has transformed into the Phantom of the Opera, his dark cape sweeping behind him while a white mask covers one side of his face.

Marianne, on the other hand, is channeling her inner Mia from The Princess Diaries , sporting a short white dress with a tiara, long white gloves, chic sunglasses, and oversized headphones.

“You both look incredible,” Rose rushes over to admire their costumes. “Timmy, you should be in a Broadway show. And Marianne, Princess Mia would be proud.”

Marianne adjusts her tiara and curtseys. “I’m ready for my royal debut.”

I raise my glass of sparkling rosé, and my friends follow. “To a night of fun, costumes, and making new memories.”

The sound of laughter fills the air as we toast to the night ahead. After months of life pulling us in different directions with our careers, families, and other projects, it feels like a breath of fresh air to be in the same room again.

I can’t wait to see what the night brings. The club, the music, the people…I’m ready for it all.

Savoring the bubbly feeling of excitement, I toast once more. “Here’s to us,” I raise my glass, smiling as everyone joins in. “Let’s make tonight unforgettable.”