Chapter Seven

May 2011

Mandy got up from the table, placed her black napkin on her chair, and smoothed down the front of her knee-length red dress. She had felt so powerful when she tried it on. Like stepping into a stronger version of herself.

"Fits like a glove," the saleswoman had said.

"Don't worry about the price." Mom had her hands clasped over her heart.

But wearing it now in this fancy restaurant with chandeliers the size of small cars, surrounded by people wearing equally fancy clothes, all Mandy felt was exposed. Once she was out of her parents' sight, she swerved left toward the bar instead of heading right to the bathroom. She needed a moment alone. The conversation she just had with Isa played in the back of her mind on repeat.

"One shot of tequila," Mandy told the bartender.

"One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor." A handsome man slid up next to Mandy, sipping on his own glass of dark amber liquor. "This is probably going to sound terrible, but that frown does not fit your face."

He was right. It did sound terrible, and if Mandy hadn't been questioning everything that had just happened with Isa, she probably would've told him so. But her brain was tired. Her heart was heavy. And she needed something to make her stop thinking about it. Thinking about Isa.

"Really," she responded instead. "Whose face would it fit on?"

The man with dark brown skin and light brown eyes chuckled, showing off perfectly straight teeth just past full, luscious lips. He was well dressed in a suit expertly cut to fit his body—likely custom made. "Touché."

The bartender slid Mandy's drink toward her. "Should I add this to your table?" she asked.

"Put it on my tab," the man said.

"Thank you." Mandy raised her drink to him, and he clinked his glass against hers.

"What are we drinking to?"

That was a great question. Mandy should be celebrating—that was what today was all about, after all—but in that moment, there didn't feel like much to celebrate. Everything seemed so daunting, and complicated, and…impossible. Was Mandy losing the one person who ever really meant anything to her? No. She couldn't think about it. "To the unknown," she landed on, not knowing what else to say.

"To the unknown."

Mandy took the liquor down in one gulp, allowing it to burn a little before she carefully placed the lime between her lips and sucked. "Thanks again," she said, and then she walked away from the gorgeous man, who on any other day she might have tried to flirt with. But not today.

The tequila didn't take away the hurt Mandy felt under her ribs, but it was what she needed to plaster on a smile and return to her parents.

"So what are we talking about?" she asked as she slid back into her chair, laying the napkin back over her lap.

"Bridesmaids ," Dad said as he picked up his champagne flute and took a sip.

Mandy scrunched her brows. "Who's getting married?"

"No, not like that, honey," Mom said. "The movie with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig."

Mandy nodded. She'd heard about it, but with finals and everything, she hadn't had time to go, though she had wanted to. "Isn't that like the girl version of The Hangover ?" she asked.

"Yes, exactly." Mom slapped her hand on the table. "Which I went to with your father, and so I think he should go to this movie with me."

"And you don't want to see it?" Mandy asked Dad.

"That's not what I said. I just suggested your mother might have more fun going with some of her girlfriends is all."

Mandy and Mom exchanged a glance. "So exactly what I said then." Usually, Mandy was all about team Dad, but tonight he was being ridiculous. "It looks really funny. Plus, you love popcorn." It was because of Dad that Mandy knew the best way to eat movie theater popcorn—extra butter with M&M's mixed in. Salty and sweet—the perfect combination.

"I'm sure it will be," Dad reasoned.

"Then why won't you take me to see it?" Mom prodded.

"You think you're going to be the only guy there, is that it?" Mandy asked.

"It just seems better suited for a female audience is all." Dad's cheeks got red.

"Why do men think that movies for women aren't as good?" Mom's cheeks were also getting red.

"I think we should all go." Maybe it was the tequila talking but, at the moment, sitting in a dark room stuffing her face with buttery deliciousness didn't sound half-bad.

"That's a great idea." Mom rubbed Mandy's arm. "What do you say? Family movie night?"

Dad glanced back and forth between Mandy and Mom. "Now how can a man say no to going out with his two favorite girls?"

"Good answer, Dad."

Mom winked at Mandy.

"I think you're going to like it," Mandy added.

"I'm sure I will." Dad drained his champagne and gave himself a refill.

"We should wear coordinated outfits too." Oh, it was definitely the tequila, because Mandy was poking the bear. But sometimes teasing Dad was just fun. It wasn't often Mom and Mandy were on the same side, and Dad was being really silly about the whole thing. He'd go and he'd laugh, and he'd have a great time—sometimes he just needed an extra nudge.

"Yes, perfect," Mom chimed in. "We could all wear pink like in the movie poster."

Now Mandy winked at Dad. He smirked back, acknowledging he knew what she was doing.

"Sounds like a great idea, love," he said to Mom.

Mandy laughed. "Can you pass the bread?"

"This bread is so delicious, isn't it?" Mom said.

The two of them each took a slice, and Mandy slid the plate of olive oil with balsamic vinegar between them so they could share. That was another thing Mandy and Mom could agree on—their love of carbohydrates.

"Maybe we can get some loaves to take home," Mandy said.

"Another great idea," Mom replied.

Dad leaned back in his chair like he was glad to be out of the hot seat.

Course after course, the ache from Mandy's call with Isa didn't completely go away, but the food was heavenly, and soon the three were sharing a crème br?lée and sipping port. Mandy always felt so fancy with the tiny glass of sweet red wine.

"Thanks again for all of this," she told them.

"We really are so proud of you." Mom had tears in her eyes.

"Best meal I've had in ages," Dad said as he flagged down the waiter, probably realizing that Mom would be in full-on sobs soon—like she had been earlier at the graduation. "I think we're ready for the check now, but you might have to roll me out of here." He rubbed his stomach with a hearty chuckle.

"It's already been taken care of." The waiter pulled a card from his breast pocket. "This is for you."

Mandy took the card. Written in some of the neatest handwriting Mandy had ever seen was No more frowning. If you want to get to know the unknown, call me. Mandy flipped the card over.

Edmund Prince — International Finance Manager

Mandy couldn't help but smile.