Page 108 of Someone Like You

I have no doubt that Raff and I can do whatever’s possible to ensure Monica and Brian get married tomorrow. We’re taking charge!

When he comes downstairs, showered and dressed, I fill him in.

‘We’re going to fix this,’ I say, and his eyes light up.

‘If anyone can, it’s us. I mean, we’re “Raff and Gabs”,’ he says, igniting tummy flutters from hearing our names said together like that.

‘Come on,’ I say, ignoring the flutters. ‘I’ve set us up in here.’

I take him into Dad’s study, which I’ve commandeered as our headquarters, and run him through what I’ve come up with so far.

‘Brilliant, Gabs – as always.’

I feel a warm glow inside from his praise, even though he’s just being Raff – as in, my supportive champion of a best friend and nothing more. The ‘nothing more’ part hurts –andit comes with a side of longing – but this isn’t about me and my misplaced feelings. Today is about Monica and Brian’s wedding, and there’s no time for dwelling on what will never be.

‘So,’ I begin brightly, ‘Monica’s emailed me the guest list, including a breakdown of where everyone lives – who’s local, who’s supposed to be flying in and so on – plus a list of vendors with contact information, and details about the venue. I’ve printed everything out, so we can divvy up the work.’

Raff scans the array of pages on the desktop.

‘Brian’s on his way from Ballard – that’s about four miles away – but he’s not confident driving in the snow, so he’s walking. We shouldn’t expect him for at least another hour.’

‘How long have you been up?’ asks Raff, turning to meet my eyes.

‘Since before six.’

He nods, his face contorting.

‘Why?’

‘I feel bad,’ he replies. ‘That I overslept again. Meanwhile, look how much ground you’ve covered already. Sorry, Gabs.’

I shrug, feigning modesty when really I feel sick. Because what if, just like yesterday, Raff didn’t oversleep? What if he was snuggled up inmybed talking toherand that’s why he’s only just come downstairs?

He crosses to the window and looks out. ‘It’s hard to comprehend how something so beautiful could cause so much havoc.’

I could say the same thing about you, I think.

I study his profile, the way his eyes narrow as he takes in the blanket of white covering my parents’ front yard. It takes all my willpower not to walk over, wrap my arm around his waist, and snuggle into him.

Because despite what’s happening between him and Julia, despite the constant alarm bells warning me not to ruin our friendship by confessing my true feelings, I still want him.

‘Hello?’ Aunt Christine’s voice echoes through the entry, and I snap back to the present.

‘We’re here,’ says Uncle Marv. I can hear them stamping their feet, presumably to remove snow from their boots, and I beckon Raff to come say hello. The rest of the family crowds into the entry, and Monica rushes to her mom and falls into her arms.

‘Mo-om,’ she cries, bursting into tears.

It doesn’t matter how much conflict there is between a mother and daughter, sometimes a girl just needs her mom.

‘I know, sweetie,’ she says, smoothing down Monica’s hair.

After witnessing that phone call earlier, it’s a huge surprise Aunt Christine is not a complete mess right now and when I catch Issy’s eye, I can tell we’re thinking the same thing. Maybe Uncle Marv gave her a pep talk on the way over – or a Valium.

Or maybe seeing Monica, who is typically the most chill person I know,thisupset has activated Aunt Christine’s Mama-Bear mode.

The weather is coming for her baby’s wedding and she’s not gonna let it.

Or I could be completely wrong about that, because amongst all the soothing murmurs, there is notoneword of assurance that everything will be all right.

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