Page 28 of Too Good to be True

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"Took you long enough." Francesca storms over to the platform in front of the seamstress.

They are the only ones in the room.

"What's wrong?" I ask. Her voice is panicked, frustration on her face.

"Nothing!" She snaps. "Everything! The bridal boutique never altered the length of my dress. I don't know what florist we're using, and I want to call to make sure they deliver the bouquets to my room instead of to the ballroom with the centerpieces. The hotel is asking questions about the ice sculptures that I can't answer because I left someone else in charge of everything. And the wedding planner won't pick up the damn phone!"

I knew she couldn't be completely hands-off. I'm surprised she made it this long keeping relatively sane.

I take a long look in her eyes. "Take a deep breath."

"My breathing isn't the problem."

"I know," I humor her. "But your dress is being worked on right now. If the bouquet delivery is blundered, I'll go down and get them so no one sees you, and do you really care where they put the ice sculptures?"

"That's not the point."

"Hey, it's okay. Everything is okay. And by the way, Fran, you look amazing!"

She closes her eyes and takes a long breath.

“Now, what's really going on?"

"You had me so damn worried. I don't know what the hell you’re doing. It’s my fault for pushing you so hard. I know you're wrecked over Corey, but—"

"I'm not."

"You're not what?"

"You’ve only been the amazing friend you’ve been since I know you. I'm not wrecked over Corey. I'm okay. And now that I’ve had some time and space from him, I agree with you that it's for the best. Corey and I were wrong for each other."

She stares at me with an open mouth and narrowed eyes.

"I know it's crazy, but meeting this guy, he's opened my eyes."

"How?"

Part of me is excited to tell her about Tim. I've been dying to tell someone about him. I want to relive every minute. Every touch. Every kiss. I should leave out what happened in the hot tub. But I want to tell her everything else.

"When he looks at me, it's like he doesn't see anything else. His eyes are so intense."

"You're getting too attached."

She has a point. A good one, too.

"I know this is temporary. Really temporary. That in two days I'll be home, and I'll never see him again, but I just want to enjoy every minute I can with him."

"Between the rehearsal dinner and the wedding, that doesn't leave you a lot of time."

"I know. That's why I invited him to be my date. For both." I close my eyes, waiting to hear her scream at me. After a few seconds of stunned silence, I open my eyes and look at her.

"I think that's a good idea."

"You do?" I don't believe my ears.

"Yes. At least if you bring him, I can keep an eye on you."

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