Page 82 of The Red-Hot Stakes

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The next week and a half passed in a blur of school, work and exercise. I took every class at the gym I could. Despite burning all the extra calories, my appetite was nonexistent, and I nearly dropped a dress size even though I had Sally constantly pestering me to eat.

My final fitting for the wedding came. I met Avery and Rhonda there, the first I’d seen of either of them since the shower. They both stared as I strode in with my chin held high. I would not cower before anyone, even if it made me seem like a self-righteous bitch.

“Gina, you’ve lost weight.”

Is that concern in Avery’s voice? I cautiously answered her. “I’ve been working out a lot. There’s a gym right around the corner from my place.”

Selena’s disapproving stare hit me as the seamstress clucked about the extra space in my dress. “Not good to lose so much weight this close to the wedding.”

Avery’s arms went to her hips, and I knew she was trying to cover her curves, knew she was comparing herself to me. She’d always done that. We were complete opposites, in every way. She was nearly six feet tall with curves that men drooled over. I was slight and athletic. But at times, all she saw was skinny versus not skinny.

I couldn’t handle the familiar doubt on her face, and I closed the distance, grabbing her hands. “You’re beautiful, Ave. Now and always. Derek loves you exactly as you are, and if he ever caught you comparing yourself to me, you know he’d be livid.” I squeezed her fingers.

She squeezed back, her face crumpling. “Oh, Gina, I’ve missed you so much!” She pulled me into a watery hug.

My throat was thick as I said, “I missed you, too.” And one of my many broken pieces slid back into place.

“I’m sorry I got so mad. I don’t know what you’re going through, but you’re my friend. And I need to respect that there are some things you’re not going to tell me.” She squeezed my shoulders. “Just know I’m here if you need to talk, okay?”

“I’m sorry too, for being so distant.” I paused, swallowing hard as I fought tears of relief. “I guess this means I can still come to the wedding?”

“You’d better come! Or you’ll really see me mad.”

Rhonda smiled at us, tight-lipped, but it was a start. I’d take what I could get.

I reached for my purse. “I brought your birthday present too, Ave. I know it’s late…” I trailed off, all the uncertainty between us coming up once more since her birthday had been this past week but I hadn’t known if she’d wanted to speak to me. I handed her the envelope.

She eagerly reached for it, tearing the envelope open. “A pedicure?”

I nodded. “I know how much you love them.”

She squealed, throwing her arms around me once more. “Thanks, Gina.”

I returned her hug, the ground between us feeling a little firmer. “You’re welcome. Happy birthday.”

Thankfully Liam’s name didn’t come up at all as we went through our fitting. I wasn’t sure I could handle hearing it spoken out loud, though I did wonder how he was doing. A flash of his stricken face at the shower appeared in my head, but I shoved it aside.

Selena continued to cluck over me, so much that I had to resist the urge to ask if she was a chicken. Finally she pinned the fabric the way she wanted.

Once all three of us were in our beautiful flowy dresses, we stood together in front of a large mirror. Avery looped her arms over our shoulders, the link that joined us. She beamed. “Just beautiful.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The Thursday of our departure for the wedding came quickly. Sally gave me a big hug once I’d loaded my bag inside the trunk of the Uber. “Are you sure you have everything?”

“Yes, Mom,” I teased, returning the embrace. “And you’re all set for your company?”

She was hosting a houseful of people for a holiday dinner—some family, some coworkers, some friends. I was sorry to be missing it after everything she’d done for me. And I was more than a little nervous about the trip.

My anxiety must have shown on my face because she gave my arm an extra squeeze then said, “It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

I hoped she was right. I climbed into the backseat of the Uber, waving until she was out of sight. The local airport was twenty minutes away, and I’d never flown on a private jet before.

Avery had texted me instructions about where to have the driver drop me and how to get through the security check. It was completely different and so much easier than normal security. In no time, I was boarding the plane.

A flight attendant greeted me with a glass of champagne. “Welcome aboard.”

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