“It’s too early to be that happy,” Chelsea said as she rifled through the drawers.
“Not after the best sex you’ve ever had it’s not.”
Chelsea turned around, eyes wide. “Andrew? Well of course with Andrew, who else is here? But with Andrew? You barely know him.”
Sangi shrugged. “What can I say? You just know if it’s right,” she said as she laid back on Chelsea’s bed.
Chelsea turned back to the drawer she was digging in deep in thought. She slipped out a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and some underwear before she headed back into the bathroom to change. It was hard for her to hold her tongue. While she was glad to see that Sangi was putting herself out there again, she still didn’t know how she felt about Andrew. Last night she’d thought maybe they’d just start dating, take it slow. Now, she could see Sangi really cared for him. Dressing quickly, she tossed her hair into a ponytail before walking back into the room. Sangi still wore a spaced out, happy look on her face. The lopsided, goofy grin making Chelsea sigh.
“Just be careful, I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t. He’s breaking up with Emily today. Last night he told me that he’d been planning to for a while. The only reason he hadn’t was that his mother kept insisting he settle down. After everything that happened yesterday with you and Catherine, he decided to wait a little longer until his mom cooled off. Don’t give me that look. He’s breaking it off with her, he really is,” she said defensively.
Chelsea threw up her hands. “I just hope he is.”
Sangi seemed a bit annoyed as they walked down with each other. Usually she would be constantly chattering, giving her every sordid detail of her night spent in bliss. However, she didn’t say a word until they entered the dining room to say good morning to everyone. Catherine was talking excitedly with Matthew, her eyes bright. Chelsea decided she would give her a chance. Maybe she really did feel bad about what happened the other day. In any case, Matthew seemed a lot less stressed than he had the day before. She would take her small blessings where she could get it.
After a while, Sangi seemed to forget she was upset as her bubbly voice filled the room as they ate. She and Andrew kept glancing at each other, little smiles on their lips before they looked away again. Chelsea wondered if she’d been transported back to high school. Just as breakfast was finishing up, Catherine announced she was taking her and Dorothy shopping.
“Let the guys get a chance to know each other. Sangi, you’re welcome to come along too.”
They left the dining room, ready to head into town. Chelsea had her wedding book tucked under her arm, purse on her wrist as she walked down the stairs. She was digging around in it when she ran into Matthew at the bottom.
“Ouch! Sorry, honey.”
He kissed her forehead. “It’s okay. I see you and my mother are getting along again. What did she say to you?”
Chelsea shrugged. “She just apologized. I figure there’s no point holding a grudge when we’re all about to be family.”
He nodded, looking thoughtful. “I agree. I’m just…surprised I guess. I don’t think I’ve ever heard my mother say sorry.”
“Well,” Chelsea dragged out slowly, ”she didn’t. Not in exact terms, but I think her heart’s in the right place.”
They heard the clicking of heels as Catherine walked to the entrance way. She held a small clutch purse. Sangi walked in to join them, followed by Dorothy who had pulled out all of the stops and was dressed in a long tropical summer dress, her salt and pepper hair pulled up and off of her neck. They said their goodbyes then began heading for the door when Chelsea turned back to Matthew.
“Try and patch things up with your brother, okay?”
Matthew looked at her in surprise, but returned the kiss placed on his lips. She followed the other two outside to a beautiful little red convertible that matched Catherine’s nail polish. They all piled in heading for a boutique in the city. It felt good to be in the open air, it felt like freedom to Chelsea who had began to suffocate in the stuffy house. She stretched out her hand, letting it float through the wind like she had as a child. Since the weekend had began, she really felt comfortable. Soft, classical music filtered through the speakers making Chelsea yawn. It was so comfortable. Her eyelids began to close, but she wanted to take in the scenery around her. More houses popped up as they drove, all of them huge, some of them much bigger than the Rawlins’ house. Chelsea could hear her mom and Catherine talking in the front seat, but she slowly dozed off.
Chelsea felt a gentle shaking of her shoulders. “We’re here, honey. Wake up.”
Slowly, Chelsea opened her heavy eyes to see her mom smiling down at her. She gave her a soft smile. Chelsea sat up, stretching before she followed behind the others into the shop. The place was small, but filled with elegant dresses of every color. As she looked at the slender dresses, she wondered vaguely if this kind of place even bothered to sell something besides a size two. A woman walked up to them in a thin, black skirt and blouse. She led them over to a seating area before handing them all glasses of champagne.
“Isn’t it a little early to be drinking?” Chelsea mused aloud.