"I'm a little?—"
"You. Are. Pissed." I emphasize each word. "Go on."
"All right, I'm pissed, okay?"
"Right, and I'm sorry. That would have really hurt my feelings if the roles were reversed," I tell her. I wanted Tova and War to get their time together and not get wrapped up in my drama, but I get where she is coming from.
"Thank you."
"No, thank you. You and Marks mean a lot to me. Our friendship is special."
"It is." Now Tova's eyes start to fill with tears. I can't help it; mine do too. "Sorry, it's the hormones or whatever." She lets out a tiny sniffle.
"Yeah, I totally get that." I hand her mascara to put on.
"Thanks." She takes it from me. Then freezes. Crap, she’s going to call me on my slip-up. I should’ve known she’d catch it. "Wait. You totally get that?" I nod. There’s no use in lying.
"Oh my God!" Tova jumps up from her seat, flinging herself at me, wrapping me in a hug. The doors to the library fly open, Mickey rushes in to see what all of the commotion is.
"We're okay, just girl crap," I tell him over Tova's shoulder. She's still hugging the hell out of me.
"Yeah, totally okay." She releases her hold on me.
"Mrs. Marino?"
"No." Tova points the mascara at Mickey. "These are excited tears. Don't you go telling on me." I nod in agreement so Mickey knows she's telling the truth.
"Yes, ma'am. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, Mickey," Tova says as he closes the doors. She turns back to me. "Out with more details while we get ready." I can't tell her no, so I spill more as we get ready.
When we're done, I head up to my room to change into cocktail attire. I pick a strapless minidress that I haven't gotten a chance to wear. It's a creamy white with embroidered 3D floral flowers I can’t stop touching. It's tight on the top but flares at thewaist. I pair it with petal pink mini heels that match the trim on the flowers.
I turn in the mirror, my first thoughts going to Z and what he will think of my outfit. As much as I love the dress, I hope it doesn’t make it through the night. I put on lip gloss before heading back out of my room. I planned to go to Z’s room and see if he’s ready, but my mom is coming down the hallway toward me.
“You’re home.”
“Mom.” She wraps me in a tight hug. Over her shoulder, I see Z step out of his room, a pissed-off expression on his face. When he sees me, it softens, but only momentarily. The hell is wrong?
“Cosima, are you listening to me?” Mom laughs, releasing me from her embrace.
“Sorry, what?”
“How was your flight?”
“Oh, good.”
“I love this dress. Is it a Bronx and Banco?”
“Yes, I love their stuff.” I’m trying to stay focused on my mom, but it’s hard when my thoughts are now worried over Z.
“It’s perfect for tonight.”
“What do you mean?” This is a simple dinner party—or so I thought.
“Come on. People are already arriving, and we can’t leave Tova too long.” Mom slips her arm into mine. “Oh, Z, you’re home too.” Mom slips her arm back out of mine to go to Z. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “Are you okay?” she asks him.
“No, he hasn’t annoyed me in the last hour,” I quip, keeping up the façade of us still being at each other's throats.
