𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐞 → 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬 (𝐢𝐢)

forty-three [t]

wednesday,
july 10th, 2020

TRINITY HAYSON

"Oh, it's you again," I joke, stifling my laughter as I step out of Shawn's Jeep.

Scott beams at me and tackles me in a bear hug, "Don't be frosty just because you wish you ended up with the better Mendes," he says cockily, clearly referring to himself.

I hear my Mendes scoff as he shuts the driver door, "Cool it, bro. You know I'm the best of the four of us," he kids and I find humour in listening to them bicker. "And hey, hands off my girl."

Scott sighs and takes a dramatic step back from me, hands held up in surrender, "Shawn, baby brother, I'm an engaged man now. I don't find any other women attractive."

"Is that so?" a female voice says amusedly and I turn to see a pretty lady heading towards us.

I immediately guess that she's Scott's fiancée, Avril. She's short — yet taller than me — with shoulder length blonde hair. It's stunning and perfectly cropped, and she has a curtain fringe that suits her face shape perfectly. Her eyes are a deep brown and she wears a bright smile. She's chuckling at the grin on her fiancé's face as she approaches us.

"That's right, baby," Scott confirms, looking from her to us, "This is Trinity Hayson. You know S."

"Hi!" she chirps, extending her arms out towards me and giving me a friendly hug. "It's really great to meet you. I feel like whenever I see Shawn, your name is always on his lips."

I nervously laugh, looking to Shawn who scratches the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

"It's lovely to meet you too," I reply genuinely, reciprocating her contagious grin.

She clutches my forearms, "Oh! Are you coming to the wedding? I can make you a dress! I'm studying fashion design, I'd love to experiment more."

"Uh..." I glance over at Shawn, whose cheeks are rosy. He and I haven't actually discussed whether I'd be going or not.

"Actually Av, I haven't asked her yet," Shawn says.

"Oh, shit, sorry!" she gasps, "Well ask her now, fool."

Shawn laughs, draping an arm over my shoulder and leaning into me, "Trin, would you do me the honour of being my date to my brother's wedding?" he smiles.

I feel a wave of heat fan my cheekbones, "I'd like that."

Shawn's grin widens and he quickly pecks my lips before Avril speaks up again, "We can chat dresses later. Manny and Karen are probably wondering what's taking so long," she chuckles.

The four of us head for the front door and step inside the gorgeous family home. I'm enveloped with a certain welcoming feeling and a mouth-watering smell of roast chicken.

"The rockstar's home!" Scott calls and seconds later, a familiar face pops out of the kitchen.

"Shawn!" Karen exclaims, "And Trinity!"

I giggle happily as she bypasses Shawn and heads straight for me, wrapping me in a tight hug and whispering in my ear, "I'm so glad you're here."

My heart just about melts as she says that and all I can do is offer my best smile as she parts our hug to squeeze her son in a loving hold. A wholesome smile takes over his boyish face as his chin nestles into her shoulder. He hugs her tight and scrunches his nose up when she repeatedly kisses his cheek.

"Trinity!" a deeper voice booms and I grin as Manny stalks towards me.

"Hi!" I greet politely as he wraps me in a friendly hug.