17. Clarissa

“So, spill the beans,”I say, filling my wine glass to the top and slowly sipping as I take a seat on the couch. Rissa came over to make an adjustment for my dress. We could have met at her store, but it’s Saturday night, and we thought it would be more fun to watch reality TV and drink wine.

Rissa scoots down on the couch, and although she tries to hold her face steady, there’s a glow that I recognize.

“Rissa, are you in love?”

She huffs and downs her drink, never lifting the glass until the contents are empty. She pushes the glass to the coffee table and throws her head back.

“Lis, he told me I was his everything.”

I laugh at her dramatics, but she takes the couch cushion and hides her face.

“Rissa, that’s so sweet!”

She’s already shaking her head, and my laughter stops when her eyes get glossy. I scoot over to her side of the couch. “Whoa, what happened?”

She lets out something between a laugh and a groan. “What happened? What if it doesn’t work?”

I bite my lip and cock my head to the side. “What if it does?”

She grunts and covers her face with both hands. “I hate this part.”

“Rissa…” I pull her hands away from her face. “Anything can happen, but here’s what we know. You are love personified. Who wouldn’t love you? Your spirit is unmatched. You are my absolute best friend and the most beautiful, genuine, real person I know. Since third grade.”

Her eyes are now spilling over with tears, and she’s trying to hide her face. “Take my love, Rissa, and while you’re at it, take Derrek’s too.”

“I might have to invoke my plus-one,” she says with a grimace, and I dance in my seat. She was so sure she had no plans of bringing anyone to my wedding that we shouldn’t worry about a plus-one. She rolls her eyes, and I stick out my tongue.

She leans over, and we hug. “Thanks, Lis.”

I’m not sure where it comes from, but Rissa will do her best not to acknowledge her wins or good things in her life. When she got accepted into fashion school in London, she acted like it was no big deal. I had to force her to go out for ice cream so we could celebrate. In some ways, I will admit that disposition serves her well in her career. When dealing with celebrities and the fashion world, her aloofness works in her favor. But everyday life and dating is a work in progress.

I rub her back before she sits up. “You know I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

“Ugh, I know. It’s just I really like him, Lis. Like my insides are always on the verge of coming back up.” She tosses her head back and laughs. “Listen to me, ugh.”

“You do sound like a lovesick fool, like it’s a little gross.” I gag, and she smiles. I adjust myself on the couch, taking another sip of wine.

Before she speaks, my phone rings, and it’s my soon-to-be mother-in-law.

“Hey, just checking in. Are we sure there’s no wiggle room for my dentist to be added to the guest list? He used to clean Tyree’s teeth. It would mean so much for him to be a part of the ceremony,” she says, and I lean back in my seat.

“Mrs. Williams.” I press my fingers to my temple and massage in slow circles with one hand while holding the phone with my other.

“Okay, okay. Figured it was worth a try. I hate telling them about it but not inviting them.”

“I know, and that’s sweet of you, but we don’t have the space for any more people.”

“You’re right. I’m about to find something to cook. Heads up, I think Theo might have broken up with his girlfriend. He’s been a little more mopey than normal, so he’ll probably be calling you.”

I frown at this news; he’s such a sensitive kid it breaks my heart a little sometimes. Mostly I’m always worried that there’s a constant weight on his shoulders since he tends to internalize his issues while also carrying the burden of other people’s problems. He’s a true empath.

“Oh, dang, okay. I’ll check on him later,” I say, leaning back against the couch.

“And this is why I appreciate you. You always take care of my babies. You have a good night.”

“You too.”

I tuck my phone to my side and get back to the conversation with Rissa.

“I think it’s so cool the way you and Tyree’s family get along,” Rissa says, taking a sip of wine but frowning when she sees it’s empty.

I smile and shrug because she isn’t wrong. My in-laws are amazing; when people complain about their significant other’s family, I’m always at a loss. Luckily, I don’t have those problems.

“Okay, so back to you,” I say, shifting the conversation to Rissa.

“No, enough about me,” she says, waving me off to move on.

I squint my eyes to slits and shake my head. “What? You barely told me anything.”

“Ugh,” she groans in a high-pitched tone but smiles as she continues. “Okay, so you know he used to be a chef, so he’s always cooking something. Well, he set up a dinner as a surprise for our fifth-month anniversary.”

I cross my legs on the couch to get more comfortable, but I know my face has morphed into confusion. “You celebrate the fifth month?”

“Ah, see, it wasn’t just me! I do not, and in fact, I had no idea it was our fifth-month anniversary. He could tell by my face I had no idea, but it didn’t matter. He laughed it off, and Lis, he made the best steaks I’ve ever eaten.” She slides down the couch but turns only her head to me. “It was the best night ever.”

“These are good things, Rissa. Enjoy it.”

“Anyway, enough of my mushy stuff. Let’s get this fitting done so we can watch this show.”

I agree, and we walk to the back bedroom. I change into my perfect dress, a sweetheart neckline and fitted bodice. I come out of the bathroom and twirl as Rissa yelps.

“Lis, girl, it looks so good!” She walks up and smooths down the back, placing only a few pins around the side to pull it in tighter.

“Clarissa,” Tyree calls out as the front door closes, and Rissa and I look at each other.

“Hold on!” I yell.

“I’m on it, I’m on it. I’ll keep him out there. Be careful with the pins as you take it off.”

She slips out of the room, and I hear her asking Tyree about his day. I’m careful to shimmy out of the dress and hang it in the back of the closet until we can finish the alterations, quickly changing into my yoga pants and a graphic tee.

In the living room, Tyree looks exhausted. His eyes are low, and he’s taking off his shoes.

“Aww, dinner is in the microwave.”

“Oh my gosh, Clarissa, that sounds great. I’m going to eat and crash.” I kiss his cheek before he grabs his plate from the kitchen and sits at the dining room table.

Rissa and I go back to our reality TV and wine. We joke and laugh, and it’s a carefree night. Tyree doesn’t hang out with us long, only giving small talk before he calls it a night and is off to bed.

“Girl, I think they just caught her in a lie,” I say, snuggling under the blanket and directing my attention to the screen. Light snores filter to me, and Rissa’s head has fallen forward. I’m quick to move her because I can already hear her complaining about her neck the next day. I shake my head and stand, positioning her so she’s lying down flat, then spread the blanket over her. I wash our glasses and snack bowls out in the sink before turning off the TV and tiptoeing down the hall.

My phone vibrates in my hand.

I smile before typing back.

Bubbles pop up, but then they disappear. I stand in the hall waiting.

I shuffle down the hall and tiptoe into the bedroom, sure not to wake up Tyree. Today has been a long day, and as I slip under the covers, I smile. There’s nothing like that first feel of cold sheets in a cozy bed.

My phone lights up, and I check the screen.

I place my phone on the nightstand and nestle into the bed. The cold sheets feel so good as I drift off to sleep.

Tyson: I wanted to thank you again. I just made popcorn and it was clutch—perfect late-night snack.

Me: As long as you save me some. You know I love popcorn.

Tyson: You can have some now.

Me: At midnight? I’m not driving this late.

Tyson: Or tomorrow, either way.

Me: Maybe.

Tyson: You going to sleep?

Me: Yes, why?

Tyson: Sweet dreams, Issa

Me: You’re still the only one that calls me that. GN, Tyson. Lol

Tyson: It’s because Issa is my name for you. No one else should use it.

Me: GN, Tyson. My eyelids are playing hopscotch, and I’m losing. Lol.

Tyson: Lol. Okay, good night.