The Benitez family is invited to a cocktail party at the Darcy’s home—which they credit to Janae’s budding romance with Ainsley. The family has attended plenty of parties in the past, like birthday parties, but never a “cocktail party.” At the party, Zuri immediately notices how her family sticks out. When Mrs. Darcy greets them at the door, her eyes go to Mama’s shoes: “I look down too, to see Mama wearing her leopard print platform stilettos […] My face gets hot with embarrassment because I knew that this wasn’t the kind of party for those kinds of heels” (108).

Zuri’s family continues to be an “embarrassment” at the party. Mama brought aluminum pans of food—Dominican pastelitos and griot, or Haitian fried pork, even though the party is catered. Layla and Kayla take glasses of red wine from the cater-waiters, until Zuri makes them stop. Layla says, “I’m so glad Janae finally learned how to get a rich boyfriend. She better stay in his pockets so we can keep living this good life!” (111).

Zuri hopes that Ainsley doesn’t hear about the insinuation that Janae is a gold-digger. However, she sees Darius whispering in Ainsley’s ear, as the two of them look at the Benitez sisters.