mari-ana-mendoza:
maygarner:
“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry,” she said, pressing her lips together. “That’s no fun. After the holidays, we should go out for a drink to celebrate your birthday, yeah?” May smiled, touching her knuckles to Mari’s elbow for just a moment. “I’m fine - oh! Listen, remember the conversation we had last month, about setting you up with someone?” she asked, eyes drifting from Mari’s face to the other side of the room, where Dan had just emerged from the bathroom. “Let me introduce you to my brother. He’s just about to graduate from law school and I think you two are just about the same age – twenty six, right? He’s such a sweetheart, and uh- he’s headed this way so, think fast,” she said, grinning, watching Dan as he walked towards them through the crowded living room.
May was a welcome distraction from the thoughts roaming in Mariana’s head. The woman’s warmhearted spirits settled onto Mari like a blanket, and she smiled. “Birthday drinks sound amazing.” Mari was close to charging into another question - something about May’s Christmas plans or the holiday decor around them - when May’s eyes flitted from Mari to a point beyond them.
“Oh, yes! I remember-” She trailed off, listening to May describe the bare bones of her brother’s character. She nodded. Meeting someone wasn’t what Mari had had in mind for the evening, but she felt herself straighten up, a crooked smile passing over her lips as she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Yes! Yes, I’d love to meet him,” she responded, turning towards the approaching man.
Dan dried his hands on his pants after washing them in the sink– Julian Berkeley’s sink– and pulled the door open, stepping back out into the living room. He stood in place for a moment, glancing around the party until he spotted his sister, waving him over from across the room. As Dan walked towards her, his lips parted, just barely, and he forced them into a small smile. Next to May was the woman he had pointed out as soon as they’d walked in the door. “Hey,” he said, as he came to a stop, looking at his sister. It was only one word, but he knew May would feel the weight of his eyes as he stared at her– maybe, she could’ve given him a little warning. His hands were barely dry.
As May made the introduction, he turned to face the woman, a small smile on his face. “Nice to meet you, Mariana,” he said, holding his hand out in greeting. “Have you been to one of these holiday parties before?”
















