Page 7 of My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding

Would he be happy to see her?Shocked?Would herememberher?

Suddenly her stomach plummeted down to somewhere around her pinky toe.Why had it never occurred to her that Josh might not even remember her?But that wasverypossible.The guy met hundreds of people every single weekend.And the guy was obviously a player.What were the chances she was the only out-of-towner that he’d charmed and laughed with?How many times had he used that suggestion to send a woman off with a soft smile and thoughts of how romantic and amazing he was?

But dammit…now she couldn’tnotgo to Bourbon O.Andrew would be there.And even if Paisley hadn’t sent Tori to meet him, she wanted the chance for a few minutes alone with him.In the chaotic sea of people on Bourbon Street.

“How long do you think it will take Andrew to get to Bourbon O?”Tori asked Paisley.

She shrugged.“Trahan’s is several blocks over, and with this crowd?It could be a while.”She giggled.“But getting up to Hustler is going to take us some time too.”

Okay, so it might take Andrew a while.Whereas Tori was just five blocks away.Sure, she’d have to get through the crowd too, but she had a few blocks head start.Which meant, she could pop in there, see if Josh was working, see if he recognized her and if he acted thrilled…or like a serial killer stalker had just shown up…and then duck back out if it was the latter.She could catch Andrew on the sidewalk and talk him into another bar instead.

With a deep breath, she stepped out onto the sidewalk and started down Bourbon without another glance at Paisley.

It was slow going for sure.Tori scowled as she jerked back to avoid a guy’s elbow and a set of beads flying from somewhere overhead.Then she was hit right in the cheek with a strand of pink beads the color of Paisley’s dress and mask tonight.Tori frowned up at the balcony full of drunk frat guys.No, she wasn’t going to show them her boobs.Or anyone else her boobs.

Unless it was Josh Landry.

2

She dodged a group of women dressed in bright orange T-shirts that readAngie’s Birthday Bash.She also, barely, managed to get around a twenty-something girl who looked ready to hurl, just before she threw up all over the back of the guy in front of her.

Tori slipped through the crowd, gritting her teeth when someone jostled the guy in front of her, spilling some of his beer onto Tori’s shoe.She rolled her eyes when two girls flashed Tori their boobs—she didn’t have any beads to give them anyway.And she managed to not run over, or get run overby, the stroller that a young couple was pushing up the middle of the street.Astroller.With a little boy who couldn’t have been more than a year old.

For fuck’s sake, people.

But she did not avoid the next group of women in matching T-shirts.These were purple, though, and readMardi Gras Sucks.They were handing out lollipops.And collecting donations for the homeless.Wow, you really did see everything on Bourbon Street.Tori handed over two dollars and got two suckers.She tucked them into her pocket, laughing.

And then, suddenly, she was in front of Bourbon O.

She took a deep breath as she looked up at the sign.

She would probably hate New Orleans and everything Mardi Gras if Josh Landry hadn’t leaned on that bar and said, “Welcome to N’Awlins,” as he slid a drink to her.

One year ago…ish…

“What’s this?”

“New Orleans specialty.All the tourists love it.”

“How do you know I’m not from here?”she asked, picking the glass up and taking a careful sip.

She wrinkled her nose at the sweet, fruity taste.

He laughed.“You don’t like hurricanes?”

“Is that what this is?”

“Yep.Invented right down the street.But ours are better.”

She shook her head.“Can I just have a beer?”

He looked surprised.“Really?And insult this born-and-bred Louisiana bartender by asking him to pour a simplebeer?”

“You’re against beer?”

“I love beer.”

“Then what’s the problem?”she asked, tipping her head.

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