Page 130 of Someone Like You

She’s standing by the window, her hair in an elaborate up-do, her makeup flawless, and wearing the most gorgeous bias-cut, fishtailed, ivory-silk gown I’ve ever seen.

If she were in a romcom, this shot would be on the poster. She is astunningbride.

‘Aww, thank you, Gaby,’ she drawls – underneath it all, stillher.

‘Not bad, huh?’ says her maid of honour and best friend, Nicole.I’ve known Nicole since she was a sassy ten-year-old. Now she’s a sassy twenty-six-year-old with a degree in aeronautical engineering who moonlights as a makeup artist.

She circles Monica with a critical eye once more, then flashes me a smile. ‘You know, my kit’s still out if you’d like a touch-up,’ she says, nodding towards the en suite.

‘Oh.’ My gaze swings to the floor-length mirror by the bed. I don’t lookbad, but it was probably naïve of me to do my makeup and expect it to still be in place hours later. ‘If you’re sure you have time,’ I reply.

‘Always time for touch-ups,’ she says, directing me into the bathroom where – ironically – she tells me to sit on the toilet, reminding me of Mom.

I’m really going to miss her when we go –andDad. It’s now the part of the trip where the reality of departing begins to intrude on the joy of being here.

Issy might be feeling that too – the back-to-real-life feeling. Although, it’s unclear when she’s planning on going home to face the music. As far as I can tell, Jon is still calling several times a day and she’s still avoiding him.

And I can hardly compare my real life with hers. I’ve got a new role and close friends and a city I love to go back to. She has Douchebag and an impending divorce.

‘So, who’s that smoking-hot guy you brought as your date?’ asks Nicole.

For a split-second, I don’t know who she’s talking about, but then I do. Raff – whoislooking particularly sexy today. And it’s not just the suit. He’s styled his hair the way he was shown and because we had such a frantic morning, he didn’t shave today. The stubble makes him look edgier and even more handsome.

I don’t answer right away, so Monica does for me. ‘That’s Raff, Gaby’s best friend. They’re not-so-secretly in love with each otherbut pretending not to be. The rest of us are waiting on a Christmas miracle.’

I stare at her, gobsmacked.

‘Even Brian said so,’ she adds smugly.

‘Don’t you have somethingbridalto do?’ I ask her, my eyes narrowed.

‘Nup.’ She holds her arms out. ‘I’m fully bride-ified. Besides, if I go out there before Dad comes to walk me down the aisle, Mom will…’ She flaps her hand. ‘You know… beMom.’

‘True,’ I say, even though there’s not really an aisle. They’ll be married on the first landing of the staircase while we all look on from the outrageously large foyer.

‘So, what’s stopping you?’ Nicole asks me, recapturing my attention.

‘He’s met someone,’ I reply.

Nicole lifts my chin with her forefinger and scrutinises her work. She picks up another brush and blends along my cheekbones.

‘And where’s she, the gal he’s dating?’

‘Sheis in St Moritz, skiing with her rich-as-fuck parents and her hot fuckboy of a brother.’

Nicole blinks at me and steps back, then trades a look with Monica before her eyes land back on me.

‘Later, when we’re drunk, I want to hear how you know the hot brother is a fuckboy, but for now, I’ll say this: she’s there and you’re here. If he wanted to be with her, he’d be with her. But he’s not.’

‘Because he’s here,’ Monica chimes in.

‘Did you two rehearse this? Is this a shitty wedding version ofWho’s on First?’

‘You’re being evasive,’ says Monica, her brows arched.

I exhale loudly through my nose and look up at Nicole, then circle my face with a finger. ‘How’s this? All done?’

‘All done,’ she says with a self-satisfied smile. She spins me around by my knees to face the mirror. ‘Now you’re as hot as your non-boyfriend.’

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