Enigma - (LILAC Book 6)

Priya

Tonight is the rehearsal dinner for my brother’s wedding. I’m so excited, I love big parties and it’s going to be so much fun to catch up with everyone.

I’ve spent the majority of my twenties focused on my business. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’ve got my own place, a successful career, and enough money to live comfortably. That’s all great but it comes at the cost of my social life.

That was never more apparent to me than when my father passed away unexpectedly about a year ago. Suddenly I had no one to turn to, I was trying to be strong for my family, but I needed some support from the outside too.

Working at a self-made business with no employees means I spend about ninety percent of my time alone. Since Kade and Sloan extended an invitation to the dinner to a lot of their friends, I’m hopeful there will be lots of new faces. I feel like I’m going to be back in my element. I’m hoping that tonight, while everyone is happy this might be the opportunity to open up some doors again.

One good thing that’s happened in the last year is that my baby sister, Rhea, has become my bestie again. That is such a blessing. Even when I don’t have a lot of time to talk she always understands. All I have to say is that I have orders to pack and she lets me go without judgement.

She understands me in a way that I doubt anyone else could, and now that Sloan is joining the family, I feel like I’m getting a whole new sister. Right now I have a lot of hope for the future.

It’s almost time for Rhea to come over and get ready with me, so I decide to hop into the shower. By the time I’m out, Rhea is already ringing my doorbell so I throw on a robe and go to let her in.

When I see her I feel even more excited, “Hey you!”

“Hi,” she laughs as I hug her excitedly.

“Come on Ray, this is exciting,” I shake her back and forth a bit.

“It is, I’m just feeling a little rough, I went out with Calah last night,” she explains as she drops her bags on my sofa.

I feel a little jealous that I didn’t go out with them but, it’s not surprising that people don’t invite me out anymore. I always said no. At first, it was because I was laser-focused on making my business successful. Then it was because I was successful, but that meant I didn’t have time to go out.

“Did you have fun?” I try to sound casual, “Want me to make you some tea?”

“I’ll make the tea,” she giggles, “You go start blow drying that mop,” she gestures at my wet hair.

When we were little we always said my hair is like a mop, it’s like our mothers, thick and full. It soaks up water and holds onto it forever, and we always run out of time to style it.

“Okay, thanks Ray,” I smile before I turn around and go into the bathroom.

By the time Rhea brought me some tea, I was in the thick of my blowout, so she stood next to me and started to set her own hair. Getting ready for the night seemed like it happened in a flash.

Rhea contoured my face and now I feel like a babe. Which is a good thing, because the dress I’m planning on wearing tonight takes a lot of confidence to pull off. Usually, I’m in loungewear or sweats so tonight, I’ve decided to embrace my curves. When I tried on this little black dress I had to have it. It practically looks painted on, but something about it makes me feel like I’m hot stuff.

“Damn Pri, that’s a hot dress,” Rhea reacts by fanning her face when she sees me.

“Good! I’ve got to stand next to you, you look like a starlit.”

Her cheeks flush, “I don’t know about all that, but thank you.”

“Come on, we’ve got a party to get to,” I giggle a little because I can’t contain my excitement.

*****

Walking into the restaurant I don’t feel all that glamorous, because I’ve got to bring a stack of boxes inside. One of the other downsides to having your own business is that people always want you to hook them up with freebies. Of course, for my brother’s wedding, I don’t mind making their centerpieces one bit, but these heels are hard enough to navigate when I can see where I’m stepping. I just hope that I don’t fall.

Secretly I’m hoping that tonight will be a like a coming-out party. It’s sad how badly I need to be reintroduced to the social scene. Maybe I’ll meet someone new here, or at the wedding. I’ll reenter the social world and magically meet a man right away.

Yeah right, I know it’s not that easy. But a girl can hope.

“Pri, let me take some of those,” Rhea shouts from behind me as she tries to catch up.

I’m a woman on a mission now, I’m half afraid that if I stop walking I’ll start falling, “I got it, you just get the door.”

Rhea scuffles in front of me and helps me inside, we manage to make it all the way to the event room without any slips or falls. I’m calling that a success.

“Hi my babies,” I hear my mom calling from the other side of the room.

In no time she’s right in front of us smiling, “Oh, you both look so beautiful,” her eyes are shining with unshed tears, “You should see your brother, he looks so handsome.”

When I set the boxes down it’s easy to see that Mom is practically beaming. I’m so happy to see her smiling. Watching her lose my father was the toughest thing I’ve ever experienced.

She and I have always been close but I’m sure Kade is her favorite by now. He’s giving her this wedding and an upcoming grandbaby while I’m just here, making pots and things. I still have time to turn it around though and tonight can be a start.

“And you Mom, you look so pretty,” I throw my arms around her and squeeze her tight; she smells like home and it instantly comforts me.

The party doesn’t start for about thirty minutes, but I imagine people will start to arrive soon. So after I wrangle my Mom and sister for help, we get to work setting up all the table decor.

I’m lost in my task of setting up place cards when I feel a hand on my shoulder, “Priya, this all looks so nice, thank you so much,” Sloan squeaks like she might cry.

She looks so cute and happy in her white rehearsal dinner dress. I bet tomorrow she is going to be even more beautiful.

“Don’t worry about it for a second girl, I got you,” I laugh a little as I toss an arm around her and squeeze.

Rhea sidles up on Sloan’s other side, “Hi lady, how are you feeling?”

“Oh, you know? All things considered,” she rubs a little circle on her mostly flat belly, “I feel pretty good.”

I can’t help asking, “Have the nerves set in yet?”

“Oh? About tomorrow?” Sloan laughs, “No way, I’m pretty sure I’ve got that one right.”

That’s when I notice my brother standing behind her, he’s wearing a well fitting suit and tie. I’ve never seen him look more handsome.

“Well, that’s good to hear,” he grins as he kisses her head. Kade bypasses Sloan and wraps one arm each around Rhea and I, “My sissies, I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Kade! You look so nice!” Rhea exclaims.

“Oh, yeah… he cleans up pretty good, huh?” Sloan smiles proudly.

“I see, so you’re marrying the leader of a fashion empire so now you’re Mr. Style?” I tease.

Kade looks shocked but only for a second, I can tell by the look in his eye that a noogie is coming in hot so I dodge under his arm, and scoot away to another table.

I spent almost two hours on this hair. The audacity!