The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo

Author:Tif Marcelo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books

“What is this, a noon party?” Mari arrived at Rings & Roses after her brunch with Brad and Hazel, surprised to find her family in the foyer. Mari ruffled Pio’s hair. “Hey, buddy, what’s going on? Why aren’t you in school?”

Jane held a tissue up to Pio’s nose as he blew into it. The boy’s eyes were swollen and red. “I’m sick,” he croaked.

She glanced up at Jane, who, too, looked worse for wear in her favorite oversized and worn Georgetown sweatshirt. “You okay? You’re a little green.”

“I think I’m coming down with something, too. It was probably from all those hands I shook last night.” Jane rolled her eyes at Pearl.

“You know you loved it.” Pearl laughed. “Number Fourteen already texted you. He might be your Prince Charming.”

Jane covered Pio’s ears. “Hush.”

Pearl’s eyes widened. “Sorry.”

Mari took a step back from the group; she couldn’t afford to get sick. “Why didn’t you all stay at home?”

“Crisis with the Johns.” Jane looked over her shoulder toward the shop’s reception area as she took Pio’s coat off. “Carli, do you mind heading to Barrio Fiesta for some arroz caldo?”

“Of course.” Carli picked up the phone to preorder.

The thought of chicken and rice porridge sent Mari’s taste buds into full salivation mode, but it was eclipsed by her concern. “Crisis already? Their wedding is over a year out.” Grooms John Kolb and John Avant had just been signed a month ago, and their wedding wasn’t until next August. “That doesn’t bode well.”

“I think we need to have a sit-down about expectations and what is a crisis and what isn’t a crisis. Over chat obviously, because my lungs got a workout coughing last night, and I’m a hot mess. After I take care of this issue, I promise we’ll head home.”

“There’s my boy,” Amelia said to Pio as she floated down the stairwell. “I have a chocolate bunny for you. Keep me company while your mommy works.”

Pio clasped his hands under his chin. “Please, Mommy?”

Jane’s expression softened. She nudged him. “Go. He’s sick, Amelia. You’ve been forewarned.”

“I’m a tough old lady. C’mon, buddy.”

Pio bounded up the stairs, leaving the three in the foyer.

“All right,” Mari said to Jane warily. “If you need backup, let me know.”

“I might take you up on it. My mind’s a little fuzzy from cold medicine.” She sniffed.

Mari did a double take at Jane’s shoes—she was still wearing her house loafers.

Jane’s health was always, for lack of a better word, susceptible. She was born a preemie. Sick more often than the rest of the sisters, she’d caught the flu every other year despite the vaccine. Her seasonal allergies had required allergy shots until she was nineteen years old. She’d lost a lot of blood when she gave birth to Pio and had to be transfused.

“Before we go our separate ways, can we have a quick meeting in my office?” Pearl asked. Only then did Mari notice that she had a bundle of magazines in her arms.

“Okay. Sure.” Dread bloomed in Mari’s gut.

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