Jingle Bells & Social Fails (LBSC #1.1) | Completed

Chapter 3

A week later, just two days before the Delgado family Christmas party, Zoey and our friend, Nikki Valdez, lounged on my bed while I combed through my closet.

"What am I supposed to wear to meet his family?" I asked, flinging clothes onto the floor. "I've never done this before."

"You're overthinking this," Zoey said. "Just be you."

I turned around and fixed her with a look. "So you're suggesting I go to this party in my unicorn leggings and an ALF sweatshirt?"

Zoey rolled her bright blue eyes. "Obviously not. I'm just saying that it's not as serious as you're making it out to be."

Nikki propped herself up on one elbow and ran a hand through her wavy, dark brown hair. "I don't know, Zoey, she wants to make a good first impression. The clothes she shows up in are part of that impression."

"See? Thanks, Nikki."

Nikki gave me a nod in solidarity.

"Now help me," I commanded.

If anyone was an expert at making a great first impression, it was Nikki. A lifestyle photographer by trade and total fashionista, she always looked like she belonged on a magazine cover. A couple of months ago, Nikki had helped me figure out a signature style for myself and dressed me for my ten-year high school reunion.

It was her turn to roll her eyes, but she stood up. My phone clattered around on my nightstand. Zoey glanced at it and gave me a devilish grin.

"It's Javi," she sang.

"Ooh!" I exclaimed.

Javi had been out of town for the last three days, working on a case for one of his clients. He was supposed to be coming back home the next day. I leapt over the pile of clothes at my feet and scooped up the phone.

"Hello, boyfriend!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nikki open her mouth and stick a finger in as if she were about to vomit. I ignored her; it wasn't my fault that I could proclaim my love to the world while she had to hide her forbidden romance with a married man.

"Hey Reese," Javi replied. His voice sounded apprehensive, like he was about to deliver bad news. My mind jumped to conclusions. Was he in the hospital somewhere? Maybe he'd thought better of it and wanted to un-invite to his parents' party?

"What's wrong?" I asked. In my periphery, Zoey's brow furrowed in concern.

Javi chuckled. "You can be really perceptive when you want to be."

"I'll ignore that barb. Just tell me what's up."

Javi sighed, and I imagined him running a hand over his stubbled chin. "It's nothing bad. It's just...I'm going to be here longer than I thought."

My eyes narrowed. "Whatchu talkin' bout, Javi?"

"We've run into some obstacles up here; I'm going to have to stay for a couple more days."

"Excuse me?" What did this mean for the party and meeting his parents?

"I'll still make it in time for the party—but only just. You'll have to meet me there."

So I was just supposed to show up at Javi's house without him and make his family fall in love with me on my own? I knew I was an acquired taste; I needed Javi to mediate my meeting his parents, and at the very least translate my Reese-isms.

I frantically glanced at Zoey and Nikki. Zoey had a question in her eyes and Nikki mouthed, "What?"

"Reese? You still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here." And ready to throttle you through the phone.

"So I'll get off the plane and come straight to the party. I'll send you the address."

"Why don't I just come pick you up and we can go to the party together?" I asked desperately. I really didn't want to show up at the Delgado house without Javi by my side.

"Two reasons. One: You're never on time—"

"Hey!" I cut in.

Javi ignored me. "If you pick me up from the airport we'll get there after the party's over. My parents really value punctuality so that's a no-go. And, two: Santi's been driving my car all week. I want to make sure it's still in good condition."

"But—"

"You don't even have to go in before I get there. I'll meet you outside, okay?"

I sighed. "Okay."

There was a muffled conversation on the other end of the phone before Javi said anything else. "Look, babe, I gotta go. I'll talk to you again tomorrow, okay? I'll see you on Saturday, and everything will be fine."

"Have a good night," I said glumly.

"Sweet dreams. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

I clicked off the call and faced Zoey. Nikki was preoccupied with my closet. "So, Javi's not getting home until right before the party. He wants me to meet him there," I said.

Zoey pulled a face. "Well, that's not ideal, but what can you do?"

"Zoey, you know you want to go to this party with me," I pleaded.

"Reese, I wasn't even invited! Besides, meeting Hayden's parents the first time was nerve-wracking enough, and I'm actually in a relationship with him."

"But you're in a relationship with me," I wheedled.

Nikki turned back to us. "I'll tell you what she can do—she can look fabulous. So fabulous that Javi will never want to leave her again, and that his parents will be suitably impressed."

"See? That sounds good," Zoey said. "And if you take a gift, that'll show you're thoughtful."

"A gift?" I exclaimed.

"Just a little token that says, 'Thanks for inviting me to your home. My parents didn't raise me in a cave,'" Nikki said. "It doesn't have to be anything big."

"A rotisserie chicken?" I asked.

Nikki pursed her lips before answering. "I meant more along the lines of a bottle of wine."

Zoey nodded. "I took Hayden's parents a nice bottle. They really enjoyed it. I'll see if I can remember what brand it was."

Nikki clapped her hands. "So there you go. With us on your side you can't go wrong."

Nikki and Zoey may have been convinced I was well on my way to winning over the Delgados, but I wasn't so sure.