Who: Bettina Esposito & Nora Santiago What: Betttina fills Nora in on the "horror story" of the blind date When: Monday, 8 July 2019 | Evening [backdated] Where: Bettina's house Warnings: Language, probably. Annoyed Nora.
"Married life still treating you well? I know Teo's been working like crazy, what with MacMillan gone, and everything that's going on with Njall." The office had been hectic with only Mateo and a couple of the nurses working. "I'm beginning to wonder if I see your husband more often than you do these days." Of course, that wasn't counting the moments she knew Mateo snuck off to see Nora at her office, or her to his.
Moving from her kitchen into her living room, Bettina handed the glass of wine to Nora, before settling into her favorite chair. Tilting her head, Bettina thought about how she was going to start this conversation. "Sorry I haven't had you over sooner. Things have been a little…. Well, okay, if I'm being honest, I was a little embarrassed after what happened with that stupid date you set me up on with your brother."
She watched Nora out of the corner of her eye for a reaction. "That was such a disaster," she followed up, groaning. "Honestly, Nor, what on earth made you think that was a good idea?"
"Trust me, you probably do see him more often than you see me," Nora chuckled, settling comfortably in one of the chairs in the living room and taking the wine that Bettina offered her. "The two of you might be the ones who people think are married." It was said without even the slightest bit of jealousy. Nora knew her husband and her best friend were the best people in the world and they were like siblings... which made things even better.
However, when her best friend started going on about her sibling, Nora blnked and sipped at her wine silently. There was no way Nora believed for a moment that the date had gone horribly. Not when Bettina had been doing nothing but raving over her mystery date at the masquerade as much as she had been. Still, she let her best friend speak, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Oh, I don't know... just the fact that you were raving about how much of an amazing kisser he was... how much fun you had... how stupid you felt for not even knowing who he was and not getting a name. Don't blame me for trying to spice up your life and give you a nice surprise."
That thought made her cringe a little. Mateo was too much like a brother to even think that way about him. Plus, he was far too obviously in love with Nora for people to get that idea. "Okay, ew. People better not think that - it's insane."
Closing her eyes, she sighed. "I mean, yeah. The fundraiser was a lot of fun, but you know how much I hate being set up. I was nervous, and neither one of us really wanted to be there - which I tried to tell you, but you refused to accept, by the way. It was so bad that the dinner we had planned, without your help, is probably not happening. I know you were just trying to help, and I love you for that, but I hope you're going to keep to that promise of not trying to meddle anymore."
Rolling her eyes, Nora shook her head. "So because you're both too damned stubborn to try to actually get to know each other after a little nervous mess up, that's my fault? The two of you are fucking perfect for each other and I don't know why I didn't think of it before the masquerade."
She was a little aggravated at the fact that the two of them were being so damned difficult. But, she did make the promise. Of course, she'd made the promise because she was certain that she wouldn't have to meddle after this. It had been a promise either way, whether Bettina figured that out or not.
"But fine. I don't make promises just to break them. You should know that by now." Damn it all to Hell. She'd set up the perfect pair only to have their own insecurities fuck it all up. She could pop them both for this.
"It’s not even stubbornness, Nora. The evening was already tainted by the fact that neither of us had been really looking forward to it, and that was before the fire." Her phone buzzed beside her and she picked it up to check the texts. "Sorry, it's the twins. Just a second."
AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
OMG. I CAN’T WAIT.
I need to see his stupid face.
Wish me luck - I don't think Nora's buying it. She isn't as gullible as her husband.
Typing out a few quick replies, she set the phone down next to her again. "Sorry - they're home from school and keep bugging me wanting to know when I'm coming to visit."
Sighing, she leaned forward a little. "I'm not blaming you, Nor. I'm sorry that it’s coming off that way. I'm just - I'm bummed, you know? And embarrassed."
"Fine, fine. I told you I wouldn't meddle anymore and I won't. I don't know why you're letting one little awkward date keep you from going out again. Sometimes people have... performance issues." And yeah, okay, maybe that was a little jab at the both of them for not letting her and Mateo have their fun, but she was feeling a little snarky at the moment. She'd been certain that Freddy would be perfect for Bettina and now the two idiots ruined all her and Teo's hard work all on their own.
Just because they were nervous.
"I'm sorry I meddled. You already know it won't happen again." She was, however, definitely going to text her husband and her brother. Teo's text was probably going to be a lot nicer.
"Performance, issues? Nora, I set our table on fire, and im pretty sure I got us banned from the restaurant." This was not going as well as she had hoped. She should've known that Nora wouldn't be so easy to fool. "I'm sorry Nor. I feel bad - I totally screwed things up."
Okay, yeah. Nora was a bad friend right now because she couldn't help but snicker at the fact that Bettina was swearing she set the table on fire. Honestly, it was believable.
Still though. "I don't see how that didn't score you a second date in the first place. Freddy isn't much better. It's like neither one of you can see each other unless you're wearing a damn mask."
"I don't knoooow," She let out a little half whine. "But it did. God, I don't know if I'll be able to face him after this. Thankfully he doesn't come into medical too often." Not that many people were regulars in the medical wing, thankfully. “Maybe it was just the mystery and allure of the whole night that made it better.”
"Well, that's a complete loss of bullshit," Nora scoffed, "Anyone who actually got the chance to know you wouldn't be able to miss how awesome you are. I still think you should ask him on a second date, but I made a promise. So no meddling from me anymore."
Nora still thought it was dumb, but she wasn't going to push. She loved her brother and she loved her best friend… she just wished they could have figured their shit out.
Then again, there were a lot of people at the reserve who had yet to do that. She supposed she was one of the lucky ones. Even if it was an accident.
Nora was persistent, wasn't she? "Maybe once my embarrassment dies down, and he forgets what a disaster the first one was. For now? I'm just going to - damnit." She felt her phone buzz again in her lap. Looking down at it, she couldn't manage to keep a straight face when she saw the photo of Mateo that Freddy had sent her. There was no stopping the chuckles.
OMG.
FREDDY I CAN’T BREATHE. IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL.
I want to frame it and hang it up at the office.
Crap, Nora’s giving me a look because I can’t stop laughing. I’ll blame it on one of the siblings.
That is so much better than I imagined.
"Sorry again," She shook her head as she saved the photo to use as Mateo's contact pic in her phone. "It seems like there's a three way prank war going on at home, and I'm getting updates from all sides." At least that would be something she'd laugh at, if it were actually happening.
Polishing off the wine in her glass, she shifted on the couch to tuck her legs beneath her. "We need to hang out more. I miss my best friend, you know." She steered the conversation away from the date, though what she said was true. She missed hanging out with Nora. "You went and got yourself married, and now I hardly see you."
"I went and got myself married and I barely see anyone. Not just you. I feel like I haven't seen much of even my family since I started as an actual specialist. But I'm going to try to fix that. I mean, I miss you too. I need my bestie."
"Well, that's just unacceptable. You've gotta find time for your family, girl." Family was important, and she knew that Nora was very close to her family. "We'll find the time. Maybe we can head into the city soon and get pedicures. Maybe a little retail therapy while we're at it."
“Agreed,” she stated, nodding. Nora was close to her family, but damn, lately she just hadn’t gotten to see them as much as she wanted to. Everyone was always busy. “That sounds perfect. I’ll clear some time out and we’ll go have some girl time like we used to. I think we both deserve a spa day. Possibly just for putting up with my husband.”
“I can’t argue with that. Anyone would be in desperate need of some relaxation if they had to put up with Mateo as much as we do.” It was all in fun, of course. Bettina adored her friends - and that included Mateo, even when he was being a pain. “You know my schedule at the office. I’m not hard to pin down.”