At the engagement dinner, my future mother in aw s…

met Lawrence twice. He said it kindly, the way he said everything.

I told him I was sure. I told him Lawrence was good to me. He nodded slowly and said,

“Then I am happy for you, mija.”

And he did not ask again.

We arrived at the house at six. The driveway was lined with cars. Cordelia opened the door in a long cream-colored dress and pearls.

She greeted my father with a handshake that was slightly too brief, and she greeted me with a smile that did not move her eyes. Lawrence appeared behind her, pulled me into a hug, and whispered that I looked beautiful. The house smelled like lamb and rosemary and something floral I could not identify.

There was a long table set with white linen, crystal glasses, and gold-rimmed plates that looked like they had been in the family for a hundred years. Music was playing quietly. People I had met twice before greeted me like we were old friends.

Marigold kissed me on both cheeks. Evangeline hugged me and held on a beat longer than was normal. And when she pulled back, her eyes had a strange glassiness, as if she had been about to say something and changed her mind.