Page 63 of Writing On The Wall

“Colton’s mom will be there, so you might not want to get too weird.”

“I think we’ve said the word ‘weird’ too much,” I nod slowly with my mouth forming a flat line.

“Yeah,” Ember agrees. “Now it really isweird.”

What’s weird is how I’m suddenly very nervous at thethought of being around Colton’s mom. Because she’s also Ethan’s mom. And I really want her to like me.

“Right,” I muse while reversing. “Body-block the small-talkers without being weird. I could do the thing where I make crazy faces that only they can see?”

“I love that you’re willing to go to such extreme levels for me, Vee, but I should probably put on my big girl panties and learn to socialize.”

“Mm-kay. But if your panties start to sag, just say ‘pineapple,’ and I’ll do my thing.”

“You’re too kind. But how about we just talk about something else? I need a distraction from the wedding planning for a minute. How’s the house coming along? Ethan behaving?”

Oh, he’s more than behaving. He’s also been ridiculously kind and considerate while also making it incredibly difficult to ignore his chiseled chest and arms.

“Yup. All good.”

“Ivy—”

“Hmm?”

“Never in our friendship have you answered a question without expounding with a thesis worth of words. Now, tell me the rest of the juicy information you’re needlessly withholding.”

Icannottell her the truth. As much as I’m aching to discuss every aspect of my soap opera life, the bride-to-be deserves a drama-free, low-maintenance friendship, especially from her support team. I refuse to cause any stress for my friend when I know she’d only want to play the mother hen and insist on worrying over my current situation.

“Ethan and I have settled on a truce. He’s been amiable and helpful. Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s nothing juicy to report.” My best bet is to divert her attention, but she’ll get suspicious if I circle back to wedding talk too soon. Maybethere is some drama I can share that won’t cause her any anxiety. “Oh! But get this—my Gran had this secret closet in her bedroom. It’s like a monument to the seventies, Em, you have to see it! It has a secret door and everything.”

I recount my discovery of Gran’s hidden closet, minus the steamy bit where Ethan nearly kissed me. “I also…kinda fell yesterday,” I grimace, lifting the hem of my shirt to show Ivy the bandage on my side. “Ethan had to take me to the ER for stitches. But I’m fine.”

“Vee!” Her eyes widen as her hands cover her mouth. “Why do you keep climbing things in those shoes? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’s not bad, really. But I’m afraid I won’t be trying on any bridesmaid’s dresses, unfortunately.”

“Eh, it’s okay,” she waves off my concern. “We’ll get one eventually.”

“Will your mom be joining us today?” I flinch inwardly as I pose the question. Ember’s mom could make Emily Gilmore seem like a saint. She’s been making an effort to tone herself down in recent months, especially after Ember opened up about her feelings and established some necessary boundaries, but the woman is still terrifying.

“Lord help me, yes. But Jeanie promised to step in if Mom crosses the line.”

I let out a wistful sigh. “Jeanie’s truly the best mother-in-law anyone could hope for.”

“I hit the jackpot, for sure,” Ember confirms, grinning fondly.

You could hit the same jackpot, too, if only…

No way. I refuse to risk ending up homeless again, all because of some foolish fantasy about inheriting an amazing mother-in-law and becoming a sister-in-law to my closest friend.

We park and walk into a bridal store that’s straight out of a Hallmark movie, peering around with widened eyes.

“Your mom pick this place?” I mutter out the side of my mouth.

“Yup,” Ember says, emphasizing the final ‘p’ with a pop of her lips.

“Good thing she’s been working on lowering her expectations, huh?”

Ember snorts a chuckle, then groans as her head falls to my shoulder. “I’m seriously considering eloping.”

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