Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Untitled Part 2

"Looking to find love in a new location?" Esperanza read to herself. She rolled her eyes at the headline. She was looking for a date, not a scam that would cost her thousands of dollars. But something about that headline caused her to click on it. Why not? Maybe if she searched the website, she could bring up the scam in conversation. She was going to make nice with her roommate Nancy's future mother-in-law in less than twelve hours. It blew to be a maid of honor, that was for sure. But what stank more was being a single maid of honor. Nancy wasn't confident in Esperanza's skills getting a date. But the sullen maid of honor couldn't blame the bride for her doubts. At the age of twenty-two, Esperanza hadn't gone on an actual date before. Since her main goal had been fending for herself. Her parents died years ago, dating was out of the question. Nancy had assured her that she could bring a plus-one. But Esperanza had a feeling that her plus-one would be a place holder for someone that Nancy had forgotten to invite. She would be damned if that happened. Her pride couldn't take it. So, on a Friday night, she was looking through profiles for dating websites. Esperanza supposed that she could have dressed up real nice and gone to the bar or a club. But her oh so thoughtful roommate had borrowed her car, without asking. So now, Esperanza was cooped up in her apartment with nothing remotely interesting to do. Deciding that the website would be somewhat interesting, she began browsing it.

"For the price of $5.99, you can receive a matchmaking kit." Hmm, would that be a good gag gift for the gift swap that she had to participate in, in a couple of months? Maybe. At least this would be killing two birds with one stone. Deciding that $5.99 was a reasonable price, she ordered the kit. After ordering the kit, Esperanza resumed her dating site search.

A loud bang startled Esperanza awake. She blinked, realizing that she had fallen asleep on her couch during her research. Where is my laptop? she asked herself. Her eyes landed on her abused computer, which had ended up on the floor. Sighing, she looked up at her roommate, whose eyes were streaming with tears. Oh no, here it went again.

"Nancy, what happened?" Esperanza asked through a yawn.

"Don't just stand there, Essy, hug me," she demanded. The nickname that Nancy had given her grated on her nerves. How hard was it to say Esperanza? But she knocked the irritation away, knowing that she wouldn't be able to break a two-year habit. She focused on her roommate to determine the best plan of action. All Esperanza could see was the snot dripping from the distraught woman's red nose. Groaning, she picked her laptop off the carpet, closed it, and placed it on the coffee table. Then she quickly grabbed the tissue box from the bathroom, deciding that Nancy would wipe her face before she hugged her. She handed Nancy a tissue and gently led her to the couch.

"What happened?" Esperanza asked, trying to force concern into her voice. All she had to do was wait two months, and she'd be free of the madness. Nancy would move into a house with her fiancé, Craig, and then Esperanza would be blissfully alone. The stars would align after Nancy got married.

"I had an argument with Margi." Margi was her roommate's soon-to-be mother-in-law.

"What did you guys fight about?" Esperanza asked, curious.

"I wanted a champagne fountain, and she said no. Can you believe it? Margi got Kim a chocolate fountain for her wedding, but won't get me a champagne fountain. Why does she favor Kim over me?"

Kim was Craig's sister-in-law. Esperanza couldn't help but think that Margi only favored Kim because Kim was better at getting what she wanted. She eased people into ideas, while Nancy was the demanding type.

"I mean, seriously. I want the same quality wedding that Kim had. I won't settle for less."

Esperanza bit her lip, wondering what she was supposed to say to this. Then her agitation got the better of her, and she decided to speak her mind.