Dizzy by Jolene Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

she’s my best friend! Tears start pushing at my eyes, but I don’t want to cry. I actually wore mascara.
    I lean over the sink and stare at myself in the mirror. Okay. I have to pull it together.
    “Grow up, Ziah,” Lora’s voice echoes in the small space.
    I spin to face her. How doesn’t she get I’m upset about way more than her stupid wedding? I open my mouth to tell her about James, but I can’t do it. She’s been with me all afternoon and hasn’t asked once about what has me down.
    Instead I jump to offense. “I’ve met Dylan. You do NOT want to be part of that family. Is it for the money? Because—”
    “I’m stopping myself from slapping you right now.” Lora yells. “I’m in love, Ziah. Deal with it and get your ass back to the table please. It’s weird.”
    And with that she turns and walks out. I leap out to follow her, so it’ll look more like we just had a little girl talk and less like my sister’s pissed. We both find our smiles before making it back to the table, and our food’s there.
    Something to do. Too bad I’m not sure if I can eat, because Mom’s restaurant rocks. All comfort food with a gourmet twist. Zila’s – Half me (Ziah) and half my sister (Lora). I’m a little too proud that my part of the name comes first. But now that I have my meal, the mac and cheese with bacon just looks like lumps, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to swallow it down.
    “So. We have one more small announcement.” Lora smiles, but Derrick has this really odd, nervous look on his face.
    “I knew it! You’re pregnant, aren’t you!” The words fly out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them.
    Dylan tenses next to me. Dad chokes. Dylan’s dad coughs. Mom throws me another knock-it-off look around the front of Dad.
    “God. Ziah. No.” Lora rolls her eyes. “Drop it with that already, would you?”
    Right. I may have brought it up this afternoon while buried under a stack of bridal magazines.
    “We’re taking winter semester off to plan the wedding and spend some time with our families!”
    Derrick touches her cheek again. Both Mom and Dad stiffen, and I sit back because I won’t need to say anything now. The voices around the table reach an odd level of tense excitement I plan on tuning out. Mom and Dad might be relaxed about a lot of things, but graduating from college is not optional. Not if you want to be on speaking terms with them.
    I close my eyes and wonder what on earth went wrong with James and me. How could he have wanted more from me, when something was happening with him and Alyssa? I want to talk to her so badly, but I can’t. She’s one of the guilty parties.
    Finally the voices at the table are animated enough that I open my eyes. Dylan’s just sitting back like I am and letting it happen. Huh. Maybe he’s not into this whole wedding thing either. Oh. Of course. One girl for the rest of his brother’s life. Dylan probably can’t imagine that—it would probably be like going without air for someone like him.
    Dad’s talking. Mom’s talking. Dylan’s dad is talking, and Derrick and Lora look like they’re being pounced on. Ha. That’ll teach them.
    “Wait. What?” Dylan’s leaning so far forward he’s about to lose his chair. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
    Oh. Crap. Maybe I should have been paying attention.
    “I know Ziah’s in.” Lora’s smile is way too forced, and her green eyes are on mine. “We plan on jumping in again tomorrow over her favorite muffins.”
    I’m sure she’s trying to give me some clue by stressing favorite muffins, but I’m not in the frame of mind to figure it out.
    “I’m sorry, what?” In what? What am I supposed to be in? Dylan looks equal parts pissed and disbelieving.
    “Helping plan the wedding.” I swear her smile stretches even farther—something I didn’t think was possible until a minute ago.
    I choke, which turns into a cough, which turns into a giggle. And then into one of those giggle