Page 69 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

She pins me with a knowing glare. “Ask. Me. I know you want to. It’s okay. But I won’t tell you unless you ask. I’m not going to torture you without your consent.”

I glance over my shoulder to ensure we’re still alone, drawing a deep breath as I close my eyes on the exhale.

“Have you seen him?” My voice cracks a little bit just at the end. If I was talking to anyone other than Daphne, they wouldn’t even notice it.

“Yeah,” she answers quietly, her face baring hints of compassion. “I saw him two weeks ago when I met Luc at the office for lunch. He was coming out of a meeting.”

Luc’s father is a high-profile accountant in Queen City. He handles the financial profiles of many wealthy individuals, including that of my brother and Maverick.

“J,” she calls me to attention, “Luc’s father is splitting the cost of the wedding with my parents. He was allowed to submit a guest list.” My breath hitches as I know what she’s about to say. “Mav’s on it.”

“Do you think he’s gonna come?” I force the question out, praying he’s already politely declined.

“Jonsie.” Daphne’s eyes pierce my own with a fierce gaze. “He knows you’re my Maid of Honor. If I was a betting woman? There’s not a snowball’s chance in Hell he misses this.”

CHAPTER 33

JONSIE

“Okay, so how many people are coming to the rehearsal?” I walk up and down the table of the banquet hall, sampling various dishes the caterer has laid out for us to try.

“More than there should be, that’s for fucking sure,” Daph scoffs in annoyance as she grazes on the other side.

She initially wanted to keep her wedding party small with just me and Luc’s brother, who is the Best Man. However, the grown man child she’s marrying couldn’t bear the thought of having to say “I do” without seven of his former fraternity brothers in tow plus Caleb, so Daphne was forced to find bridesmaids. This proved challenging for her, considering she doesn’t really like that many people.

“So, tell me again, who am I forced to share this coveted spotlight with?” I feign offense.

“Luc’s sister, Michelle. She’s sweet, but annoying as fuck. Wants to be involved in every single aspect of this dog and pony show. Then there’s my cousins, Jessie, Leah, and Maddison.” Her lips curl up in disgust as the last name slips out.

“Maddison?” I laugh, somewhat surprised. “You hate her.”

“I know, but Mom made me ask her and she’ll never pass up an opportunity to be in the limelight.”

“Leaves you four short, doesn’t it?” My brow arches as I glance over at her.

“I barely scraped them bitches together! You think I got it in me for four more? Pfft. Hell, no. Each girl will be walked down the aisle by two guys. You walk alone, and Stefan will be standing up there with Luc. There.” She makes a show of dusting her hands off. “Done.”

“Daph.” She looks across the table at me upon hearing her name, her face baring the defeated expression that’s become a somewhat permanent fixture these days. “What are you doing?” I ask, my concern genuine.

She doesn’t pull any punches. It’s not her style. “Jones, I want to get married. I want babies,” she laughs, “if you can imagine that. And yes, I want all those things with your brother. But he has made it abundantly clear that he is never going to pull his shit together.” Her eyes drop to her obnoxiously large engagement ring, which she nervously twirls around her delicate finger. “Nicky’s the only guy I’m ever going to be in love with, Jonsie. But if I can’t have him, I deserve the chance to be happy. And I could do a lot worse in life than Luc. So, I need you to support me with this decision… and help me choose these fucking hors d’oeuvres, because this is torture.”

I snort, throwing a mini quiche at her, which she deflects with a swat. Just then the caterer re-enters, clipboard in hand eagerly awaiting our decision. “Have we decided? With the wedding only two months away, we’re going to have to finalize this today.”

I spare a glance over at Daphne, who looks completely overwhelmed. “Ahem,” I clear my throat, seizing the woman’s attention. “What screams ‘This entire wedding is just an excuse to flaunt how obscenely wealthy I am?’”

The caterer eyes me for a moment, almost as though she’s trying to determine if I’m joking. When she realizes I’m not, she motions toward the end of the table closest to her. “Pretty much this whole end.”

“Fabulous!” My head swivels toward Daph who’s biting back a smirk. “Your mother will be thrilled.”

“Indeed, she will.” She snickers. “So, we’re done then?” Her voice piques with excitement.

***

“Damn, chick.” Daph clicks her tongue. “This is a nice space.”

“Yeah, it’s okay.” I glance around the empty apartment that is soon to be my new home. It’s your standard high-end real estate. Nothing I haven’t seen before. If anything, it feels cold without any furnishings. Almost sterile. To be honest, I’m kind of indifferent to it.

Caleb originally had a different space in mind, but when I saw the address and realized it was located around the corner from where I used to live with Mav, I shut that shit down. I don’t remember the exact excuse I gave. Something to do with not wanting to be so close to the center of the city. Thankfully, he didn’t press it.

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