Page 23 of That Secret Something

A classic Lily Lawson exaggeration. But I let it slip. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer sooner, but I’ve been a little busy.”

“Oh, really?” Her words dripped with intrigue. “And what might that entail? A bubble bath, a bottle of wine, and rereading The Afterlove of Her for the thousandth time?”

Part of me was a little offended at her assumption, especially because usually she wouldn’t have been far off. I blew out a breath. “Actually, I’m on a date.”

“A date! A real date? Tell me everything.”

“No, it’s a papier-mâché date I made earlier.” There was a silence on the other end. “Of course it’s a real date. What do you take me for?”

“Well…”

“Actually, don’t answer that.” I sidestepped to let two men inside the restaurant. A cool breeze swirled around me, bringing out goosebumps on my arms and legs. “Anyway, did you have a reason for calling me and interrupting my first date in months?”

“Oh, yes. Sorry! What are you doing in April?”

“Erm, nothing, I don’t think, but I’ll have to check my calendar.”

“While you check, you’d better pencil in the wedding of the century. It’s the Lawson wedding, baby!”

Surprise made my voice all squeaky. “You got in at the boathouse?”

“Yes! Who knew that sister of mine would come in useful eventually?”

I could think of a few uses for Rebecca Lawson, but I quickly shut those down. Bad, Jess, bad. “That’s great, Lilz. So that’s…” I did a quick calculation on my fingers. “Three months until the big day?” Holy shit. That is kinda crazy.

“Three months. Lawson wedding, let’s go!”

I pulled my phone away from my ear as she shouted and hollered down the line, then smothered a laugh.

Glancing behind me, I spotted Jade through the window, with her back to me. “I’m so happy for you, Lilz. I really am. But, uh, I gotta get back to my date now.”

“Oh, sorry. Yes, of course. And I want all the details later. I’ll book in for wedding-dress shopping this week, and I’ll send you the top five, too.”

I itched at the back of my neck. “Sounds great, Lilz. Tell Tyler I said hey.”

We hung up, and I headed back inside, my head spinning with the ever-increasing list of things to do for the wedding day. A message lit up my phone.

Rebecca: Fancy taking that walk soon?

My stomach fluttered seeing her name on my phone, plus the message before that, asking me to come inside her house. I darkened the screen and slipped the phone into my bag, unable to think about the implications of her texts.

I apologised to Jade as I shuffled back into my chair.

She peered back at me with curious eyes. “Everything alright?”

I blew out a breath, trying to expel all thoughts of a certain brown-haired, suit-wearing goddess. “Yeah. It’s just my friend, Lily. She’s getting married soon and just secured a venue and a date.”

“How exciting! When is the big day?”

“April thirteenth.”

Jade’s eyes widened. “Ooh, it’s soon. Are you helping with the planning?”

“I am. It’s been…challenging so far.”

She sipped from her glass. “Anyone I might know?”

“Erm…Lily Lawson and Tyler Humes.” I spooned some more risotto into my mouth, even though it was cold.

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