Dean met my eyes, silently trying to urge me to back down.

“Kiss me,” I dared.

Dean’s jaw ticked two times.

“What’s going on?” my mom asked. Grandma Bobo was beside her with a plate of appetizers.

Curtis answered for us. “Dean and Pearl had a little cat fight, so we told them to kiss and make up. I think Dean’s still madder than Granny when her teeth fell in the shitter after Paw Paw Curtis’ taco night. We’re waiting to see if he’ll gather up his balls and do it.”

“I think this is something Pearl and I should handle in private. That’s all,” Dean said

“If you don’t kiss me, everyone is going to think you don’t want to kiss your own girlfriend, Dean.”

Almost reluctantly, he put his hand on my cheek and leaned in, kissing me softly. It was a tame kiss and I could feel none of the usual spark in it. That pissed me off, too, so I took him by the hair and kissed him back harder, sliding my tongue into his mouth.

Curtis whooped with approval and Lane let out a long, whistling sheeee sound.

“Get him, girl!” my mom said, laughing.

Grandma Bobo just made some heavy breathing sounds, which was decidedly creepy.

When I pulled back, I saw the look on Dean’s face and instantly felt like shit about myself. In my current state, feeling like shit only made me more upset, though. I got up, started to leave, then turned back around and picked up what was left of the wine. I lifted it at Dean and smiled. “I think I’ll take this with me.”

“Pearl,” he said, getting up to follow me.

I walked out of the restaurant area and into the hallway outside, bottle of wine in hand. I’d left my shoes under the table, I realized, but didn’t particularly care.

“What has gotten into you?” Dean asked once we were outside and alone again.

“Let’s see. I told myself I was done letting guys have power over me, because that always leads to me getting hurt. Then, I stupidly went and gave you power over me and what did you do? Surprise! You hurt me with it. So, sorry if I’m feeling a little bitter right now. My sister is about to get married to the guy of her dreams and I’m supposed to pretend to be with the guy who just tore my heart out.”

“Pearl…” Dean’s voice was raspy and soft. “I didn’t want it to go this way.”

“Well, it did, didn’t it? I guess we both just have to deal with the consequences.”

I lifted the wine bottle towards my mouth but Dean tried to stop me. “You really should go easy on that stuff. At least until the dinner is over. People are going to–”

“Let go,” I said, yanking it free. But the motion made wine slop over the top of the bottle and splash all over my dress. I let my arms hang at my side, looking down at the yellow dress I’d just bought that was now spattered with red wine. “There’s wine on my boob,” I said.