Page 67 of In a Pinch

A round of drinks gets distributed. “To our current staff, close friends, and family of Sam and all others. Thanks for joining us today. Cheers to our new head chef! May your career be ever bountiful,” Chef says.

A collective cheer rings throughout the crowd. “If you’re on staff tonight, please limit yourself to only one drink. If any of you cut your finger off in my last week as the boss, it just might be the last straw I need to lose it.”

We all chuckle. Chef would probably die at some of the off-hour drinking games we have played over the year. Now that I think of it, he really would have a lot of arsenal if he ever found out and wanted me gone.

It doesn’t go over my head how lucky I am to have him as a mentor. He took me in at my worst, both personally and career-wise. He has said even a turd can be polished. Not that I enjoy being compared to shit, but he wasn’t wrong. My attitude and life were shit before this. And now? Well, I guess I got what I prayed for.

Chapter Thirty-One

Addie

The great news about being the maid of honor for a destination wedding is there is pretty much nothing for me to do. I threw the bachelorette, and she skipped the bridal shower, since they already have stuff. Cal hates clutter and Isla attracts clutter and random shit like it’s her job. What a fun combo they are.

However, I have been failing majorly in the regular friend department, and I’m fixing to rectify that today.

Driving over to Isla’s feels a little different now. Isla will always feel like home to me. She’s been my safe space and constant for so long that I almost don’t remember what life was like before her. She’s known and loved all versions of me-the bratty immature, the heartbroken and lost, and the figuring myshit out. Having a friend to love me through all my seasons of life is something I will never take for granted.

However, I can’t say I miss sharing a space with her and Cal. Probably because it’s easier to hide I’ve been sneaking around with her brother-in-law. Actually, it’s more than that. We’re officially dating, and even if we weren’t, I don’t think it even started off purely physical. It’s been everything that is him that drew me in. I was attracted to Sam as a person before I even realized how attracted I was to him as a whole. Now that I’ve seen his tatted arms that perfectly cage in my head, well, it would be hard to not admit that adds a bit to the luster that is Sam.

Seriously, I really need to talk to her today about him. Genuinely, I have no clue why I am being so weird about this. He and I have been officially dating for a month, and have seen each other for even longer. It’s safe to assume we are serious.

I just keep replaying our conversation in the car on the way to dress shopping, with her comments about my bad taste in men and how he fit into that category. Little does she know, this whole cat and mouse game has been going on almost since I arrived, and that I’ve been happily seeing him since he helped me move in. Has it really been that long? The whole thing almost feels like a blur. One minute, I wanted to punch him in his damn throat, and now, I look forward to when he’s down mine. Just kidding. But seriously.

This whole dynamic changed so fast, I didn’t even have time to process. I knew he was attractive when I first met him. The way he challenged me just fed the fire. And now, he’s been my best-kept secret. And I hate that. He deserves to be loved out loud and in the open. And for me to actually admit that I love him. But that is still really scary for me. I did finally bite the bullet and tell my mom and sisters. My mom scolded me for keeping it a secret from Isla, and my sisters reminded me that Isla is mybest friend and would be happy for me either way. Deep down, I know they’re right.

I’ve almost been avoiding Isla, blaming work or being tired. She’s busy with her own life and work, so she hasn’t cared or probably even noticed. But I have. I miss her, and I want to talk to her about this so damn bad. Spill the beans, let her know I accidentally fell head over heels for her now not-so-grumpy brother-in-law. Seriously. I have to grow some lady balls today. I literally did a mental pros and cons list on telling her today.

Pros: I can quit feeling so freaking guilty all the time. For an abundance of reasons.

Cons: She might be pissed. And talk shit about Sam.

As I pull into her driveway with my windows down and music blaring, a breeze pushes in the smell of sweet, freshly bloomed flowers. This time of year is my favorite. Spring has come and gone, and the beginning of summer has the flowers blooming in the front, painting her front walk with vibrant colors. I love this for her—her cozy, little life.

I realize now that I’ve been building my own cozy, little life recently. I’ve found someone I can trust and grow with, I love my job—even when it makes me want to pull out my hair—and I’m finally living all on my own. Got to say, that alone makes me feel like more of an actual adult.

Those thoughts mull in my head as I knock three times before entering her house, the fresh scent of her lavender candle filling my nose.

“Honey, I’m home!” I shout as I set my purse down on the chair in the front of the living room.

She comes barreling out of the laundry area and into my arms. Has it been weeks since we’ve seen each other? It almost feels like we’re living states apart again. We’ve talked on the phone plenty, but only for brief snippets in time, or random texts, withplenty of videos sent back and forth on social media. But there is nothing quite like a best friend hug.

“I’ve missed you!” She releases me from the hug and grips my forearms. “How have things been?” Her bright smile sets off a trigger.

Now's your chance, Addie. Grow some balls and tell her. Only, I don’t. But I will. Let’s maybe warm up with fluffy talk before I jump into the goods.

“Things have been really good. I’m fully settled in the new apartment. You will need to come by. It’s changed so much since you saw it last month.” I mean, it’s a studio apartment. So, how much can it really change? But it does look more put together now, so there’s that, and I finally have a couch.

She throws her head back in excitement. “Yes, a good, old-fashioned girls night. Like we used to have.”

“That sounds perfect. Do you have any wedding stuff I can help you with?” Since she’s doing a destination wedding, there’s not much to do from here. But when we get there? It’s go time for maid of honor duties. And I’m going to crush it.

“Nope. Most of it is being handled by the hotel. We got the rest of the RSVPs in, and you will never guess who marked yes.” Her eyes bug out of her head.

I decide that if I don’t move us now, we will stand here yapping for lord knows how long. Grabbing Isla’s hand, I pull us to her couch. A much comfier place to catch up.

“You are right. I will literally never guess, because I have no clue who you invited.” Mostly, I’ve got a pretty good idea who was on her guest list, as we have talked about it before I moved out. However, that was a couple months ago, and I have learned just how quickly things can change. “We should go over the guest list and all your final stuff! I want to see what you’ve cooked up.” This thought makes me realize how absent I have been.

We’ve chatted here and there about the guest list and her vision for this, but there is so much that is still unknown to me. Though, she did end up being a bit of a control freak when it came to the big day.

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