The apartment smelled like coffee and cinnamon, reminding me of the cinnamon rolls from Avila’s.
“Is your mother ready?”
“No.” Zoey laughed.
“Of course not,” I sighed.
“She’s been trying on outfits for the last forty minutes.”
“Forty?” I cocked my head.
“Four-zero.” She popped her lips.
“I find that hard to believe since your mother is the least high-maintenance woman I’ve ever met.”
“I can hear you, Wes!” Sam shouted from the bedroom.
“Are you excited to go?” I asked Zoey.
“I’d rather have a root canal,” she said.
“Fair enough.” I nodded.
“Why am I going to this?”
“Because I thought you’d have a good time. What’s wrong with the country club?”
“Everything.” She turned to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. “It’s a giant field full of stuck-up rich people who look down on people like my mom and me. Plus, the men wear white pants. No man should ever wear white pants.”
“I’ll remember that.” I smiled. “And nobody is going to look down on you. I promise.”
“You can’t speak for all the rich people. But I guess I have no choice.”
“There will be a lot of games there to keep you occupied.”
“I won’t know anyone. I’ll be bored.”
“You’re a teenager. You’re always bored no matter what,” Sam said, stepping into the living room.
My breath caught in my throat when I saw her. She looked beautiful.
“Forty minutes, eh?” I asked Sam.
“I’m a woman. You’re lucky it didn’t take longer.” She grabbed her purse.
We climbed into the back of the car, and I introduced Zoey to Ben.
“Ben, this is Zoey. Zoey, my driver Ben.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said.
“And you as well, Miss Zoey.”
We pulled up to the country club where the elite were gathered for today’s event. Stepping out of the car, I helped Zoey first, then Sam.
“I think I may have thrown up a little in my mouth,” Zoey said.
“As long as you keep it there, we’re good,” I smirked.