BEYOND THE PALE

li

've put in a ton of hours to make it a thriving business. And my efforts have been paying off

ls a little childish to live at home again at my age. But like the amazing parents they are, they were thri

am, I send my mom a quick message to let her know I'm headed to t

tarting to bud with early spring flowers that hang from nesting baskets on the light posts. Nestled as it is in the sha

promise of the approaching warmer months. The soft yellow and pink sunset only reinforces my good mood, and I tak

at fancy restaurants, but this is my engagement dinner, I remind myself. It sh

th. Lots of pe

ies open to reveal my mom, looking matro

little bri

my dress? I'm afraid I look like a blue whale." I fiddle with the straps of t

mom's eyes start to mist. "And velvet? What a fun ch

y!" I laugh at

she's cut off mid-speech by the ar

reeches from across the parking lot

driving?" my mom mutters to me. "Okay, Celine, brace yourse

ilding to look for David and to see the ro

. "We have your private event set up

try, but I was always either too young for its elegance or too broke to afford it. It's the kind of establish

u, Marcu

ing for the dinner, now, staring at the elegantly decora

ns. Overhead, fairy lights drip from the ceiling, providing enough lighting to see but keeping an allure of mystery and romanticis

most rosy gold hue on the room. A fireplace crackles and del

k – the whole setup is lik

rth did a

andsome in his fitted blue suit. He's huge as always, and his black hair is damp an

s me with a light hug

e smells like the w

gri

e're going to be family, after all." Marcus gest

u did all

irks

te the place as befits an engagement dinner. I

Gratefully, I put my hand on his stro

lashing. My heart pounds and the air goes electric. But then, our moment

ing over. With that, he's gone and all I see is a flash of his dark blue blazer in the crowd. M

you look

t the lights,

, sweetheart. Wh

engag

's the

u see yo

see tha

ecial s

d glass of champagne into my hand. I smile at him gratefully and just as quickly

ounces into the room and hugs me t

ok at you! Oh my gosh, look at those flowers! Oh my gosh look at Marcus Herrera! HOT!

h other since first grade and the bubbly, petit

her. "No date?" I raise my

grim

loves his cat and I was like no thank you and also figured like all of David's hot friends are going to be here plus

early full room. No

m sure he'll be here soon," I tell Hayley, not want

lking to a particularly curvy redhead. Who is that woman? I frown at them,

mpany. David, child genius he may

him. He raises his glass at us, and I respond in kind an

hought bugs me, and I sha

asps my left hand in hers and examines my engagement ring intently. "Oh gosh, Celine.

e ever worn. The ring is an antique, 18-karat gold band set with real pearls and delicate diamonds. All of which centers on a flawless 1.5-carat center diamond. Given its

." Hayley shakes her head. "

we're in

a high-pitched wheezy voice. My Great-Aunt Susan ambles over, al

" I kiss her withered old chee

omething special.

family for several generat

, looking at the

me inquisitively but I just laugh. "Fine, keep your secrets, Litt

ring. I know it means a lot to the family." I smile at my relative,

my cheek and walks toward the bar. "Take care sweetie pie. I'm goi

away, my best frie

drinks she's ha

aracter." I

do look so beautiful."

Tonight, set against my creamy skin and blue velvet dress, the rin

, al

e heck i

is that woman? I think to myself for the third time. I smile slightly and turn away from him, n

David that range from worry about him to demanding to know where he is. I'm growing more and more frustrat

are you?" I try to control my exasperatio

way soon," he says in a slightly breathless voice. H

stand there for a moment, wondering what is goin

ne and observe the joy around me. Where is my hands