Page 22 of Until You

“I can help,” Stephanie said in an authoritative tone. “You get ready and go to the photo shoot, and I’ll finish the report, then when you finish with the photo session, we can meet at O’Dowd’s for drinks.”

“Steph…”

“Come on. If you don’t let me do this, I’ll just go back to my empty apartment and watch pathetic rom-coms while I eat pizza and drink a whole bottle of wine by myself. Don’t think I’m doing you a favor. I’m doing this all for me.”

Lanie grinned. “Well, when you put it that way…”

“So just send me the files you’ve worked on, and I’ll take over. Now, go get ready.”

“Thanks.”

She ran to the bathroom and touched up her makeup, but left her hair down, since Britt wanted a more natural look. After she got into her dress, a quick check of the time told her she needed to hurry. The art museum was only several blocks away, but it was too hot to walk.

She found her phone on the table and requested an Uber. Just as the request went through, a text from Britt popped up.

Do you happen to have any insect repellant?

What? No.

Okay. Never mind. We’ll take care of it.

Well, crap.Was the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum infested with mosquitoes? Lanie had half a mind to stop for some spray, but she was going to be late as it was.

Lanie didn’t do late and it was grating on her nerves. She was also oddly nervous about seeing Britt and Randy together again. Her reaction at the shower had been unsettling. She’d never yearned for relationships. Her career had been enough. But suddenly all she was seeing was what she didn’t have.

Wallowing did not become her.

She opened the refrigerator and pulled out an already opened bottle of Riesling. Unscrewing the cap, Lanie put the bottle up to her lips and took a big gulp. While she could bring herself to admit that she was jealous of Brittany’s life, she could think of about a thousand things higher up on her list of problems. She took another generous gulp.

Her phone rang, and she was sure it was Britt calling to ask why she wasn’t there yet, but she was relieved to see it was Aiden.

“I’m in town, Lane,” he said when she answered, “and you still haven’t sent me your address.”

She took another drink from the bottle. “I’m a little busy, Aiden.”

“You said that when I called yesterday. You could give a guy a complex.”

Her car was going to be there any minute, and she still wasn’t ready. She needed to find her shoes. Britt had had three-inch-tall pumps dyed to match the lilac-colored bridesmaids’ dresses, and she could have sworn she’d brought them to the living room. “I promise to give you my full undivided attention tomorrow. Right now I need to go my cousin’s wedding photo shoot.”

He laughed. “Oh my God. You’re a bridesmaid? You used to make fun of that shit.”

“And wine coolers used to be my drink of choice. But then I grew up.”

She sloshed the wine in her bottle and wondered how much pregaming was too much. The more the better. She gulped down another drink as she spotted her shoes next to the sofa.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, probably alerting her that her Uber driver was waiting in the no-parking zone in front of her apartment, and she still wasn’t ready. “I have to go. My car’s here. I’ll text you my address when I’m on my way.”

“Go play Bridesmaid Barbie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Lanie grabbed the bottle and took one last drink, shocked when she realized how little wine was left.

She’d drunk over half a bottle of wine in less than five minutes.

Well, crap.There was nothing she could do about it now.

It was showtime.

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