Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You

Sara

The kitchen is steamy from me and Marishka, who I now call Mama, cooking all day long. I stand over the big steel pot with a slotted spoon in one hand and my phone in the other, keeping tabs on the time.

For tonight’s dinner, I invited Josh and Hailey because this will be the first time I will see them together after they started dating. Rebecca is invited by default, along with one of Matthew’s friends, who is, at the moment, the most eligible bachelor. Rebecca has no idea that I am conspiring to match her with him.

I text Hailey: Bring more ice.

Three dots flicker, then disappear. Nothing. I take this as consent.

The back door creaks open just as I’m tasting the sauce for salt, and Mama pokes her head in, her cheeks flushed and hair tied up with a red bandana.

"They’re setting up outside," she says, wiping her hands on a towel. "I told Matthew not to let Josh near the grill. Last time he tried, we nearly had a fireworks display."

I chuckle, giving the sauce another stir. "Good. I want everyone fed, not singed."

Mama eyes the simmering pot with approval then leans in closer. "So, this mystery bachelor. You think Rebecca’s going to bite?"

I grin. "She better. He’s smart, successful, and not allergic to commitment."

Just then, my phone buzzes on the counter. Hailey: Got the ice."