Page 5 of Until You

Britt tugged on Lanie’s wrist. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the other bridesmaids before I open my gifts. I promise to maintain your cover story.” She winked. “You’re a retail time management consultant and offer suggestions on increasing productivity.”

Lanie grinned back and shook her head, sending a shooting pain through her skull. She touched her temple in an effort to ease the beginning of a headache. “I love you, Britt, but you know there’s not a domestic bone in my body, so I’m going to beg off watching you open gifts. Toasters and juicers give me the hives.”

Britt wrinkled her nose. “A juicer? Like I’d ever use a juicer.”

Lanie paused, then pointed to the present table. “See that white rectangular box with the white bow? Just hide it under the table, and I’ll bring you the receipt when we meet for lunch.”

“A juicer?” Britt asked with a laugh. “Do you even know me at all?”

The question was asked in jest, but Lanie turned serious. She and Britt hadn’t gone to the same schools when they were kids, but they’d lived five miles apart and had been best friends until Lanie had headed to the East Coast for college. She’d tried to keep in touch, but her job had gotten in the way. Just like it had gotten in the way of relationships with her past boyfriends and cultivating friendships. As she stared at her cousin and looked around at the backyard full of people who clearly loved Brittany and Randy, Lanie suddenly wondered what she’d sacrificed for the sake of Margo Benson.

Worry filled Britt’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

Lanie waved her off. “Just my headache.”

“Okay, I’ll give you a reprieve this time. You go home, and I’ll fill you in about all my presents when we meet for lunch.”

“Thanks.”

“Brio at noon on Thursday,” Britt said. “It’s close to…where you’re working, so you’ll be less likely to back out at the last minute.”

Lanie didn’t deny it. She’d already cancelled a lunch and a happy hour with her cousin. She vowed to make it this time.

Britt kissed Lanie on the cheek. “You work too hard. Life’s short, Lanie. Don’t waste it.”

Lanie watched her cousin walk over to Randy, snagging his hand and pulling him toward the present table. Adoration filled his eyes as he gazed down at his bride-to-be.

Lanie had sacrificed this. And until this afternoon, it had been worth the price.

Now she wasn’t so sure.

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