Page 114 of The Right Move

I’ve been gathering the endless decorations, table settings, and gift favors over the last few weeks and dropped them off yesterday. I even placed a hefty order with the guy at my favorite floral stand to create the most beautiful centerpieces of peonies, roses, and carnations to give that “fresh from the garden” feel. I spent more than my budget allowed for this party, but I want Maggie to have the best time.

Stevie comes barreling through the doors, curly hair pinned under a beanie, ripping off her winter coat, and ready to get down to business. All because I completely fucking forgot to tell her she didn’t have to come. If I knew she was getting engaged yesterday, I never would’ve asked her to help me set up this party in the first place.

She doesn’t even know Maggie and yet she’s here for me only hours after her own celebration.

“What can I start with?” she asks.

“Vee, I’m the worst. Please go home. I completely forgot to tell you not to come. Go home and have post-engagement sex like a normal new fiancée.”

She waves me off. “We’ve been going at it all night. An hour break is needed. Put me to work.”

I want to stand up and hug her, but I’m in so much discomfort I don’t think I have enough energy to move.

Staying seated, I point around the room. “The balloons need to be tied off. I need to light all the tea lights and arrange the floral centerpieces. There’s a mimosa bar going over there, and I need—”

“Whoa, Ind.” A heavy crease forms between Stevie’s brows. “You don’t look so good.”

“Don’t say that. Look at how cute my dress is!”

She silently laughs. “Very cute, but you’re sick.”

“It’s just a cold.”

She eyes me suspiciously. “I think you should go home.”

“I can’t. Please just help me set up.” I stand from my seat, the blood draining from my face as a wave of dizziness washes over me.

“Indy.” Stevie grabs me, sitting me back down. “I don’t think it’s just a cold. You need to go home. I’ll do this.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I can’t go home.”

She pets my hair soothingly. “Why not?”

Because your brother came all over me then bolted and I’m too much of a coward to face him.

“I…I need to make this party perfect. It’s important.”

“Of course, it is, but you can only do so much when you’re sick.”

“Vee, Maggie asked me to be in her wedding while Alex and I were still together, and I’m worried she regrets it. At least with this, I have something to contribute.”

“Indy,” Stevie coos, sitting back on her haunches to look me in the eye. “Anyone who gets to call you their friend is beyond lucky and if you’re here trying to convince them of that, well then honey, they aren’t your real friends.”

“I just want to impress them.”

Because I’m the butt of the joke. Alex cheats on me, yet they’re all great friends with him still. But maybe if I can make today perfect and maybe when they see me at the wedding with Ryan on my arm, they’ll be impressed by how well I’m doing. Faking it or not.

My eyes burn with tears because yes, I’m an emotional person, but I’m starting to realize just how sick I am and how much my body is hurting. I’m also starting to realize she’s right. I’m holding on to my old life and my old friends with an iron grip, but why? Because it’s what I’ve always known? Because they were part of the picture I painted for myself?

“Do I want to know why I didn’t get a daily update today?” she asks, suspicion lacing her tone.

“Probably for the best if you don’t ask questions.”

She chuckles. “All right. Sit your pretty self in this seat and drink some water. You can bark commands and tell me what to do from here then I’m taking you home.”

“I can’t leave.”

She lets out an exasperated breath but doesn’t fight me on it any longer.

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