Page 10 of Too Good to be True

“Jeez, Francesca. I haven’t had time to go shopping. We just broke up."

"Exactly! But you shouldn't be dressed like you're in mourning. Show Corey and anyone else looking that you’re ready to take on the world."

"Does Sam really understand what he's getting himself into?"

"I hope not," she laughs. "Now get dressed!" She tosses a pair of jeans on the bed and lifts her shirt up.

"What are you doing?" I squeal.

"You need this more than I do. I already snagged my man."

"Yeah, but your shirts are two sizes smaller than mine!"

"Not really. I mean, you wear your stuff big, so it's really like one size."

"I can't wear your shirt."

"Of course you can," she says, pulling a purple blouse out of my closet. "It'll help showcase some of your best assets."

"You mean my boobs?"

"Hell yeah."

I shake my head. "I'll look fat."

"The only thing fat about you is your head. Besides, too big breasts don't exist for guys. Unless maybe the guy is gay. Maybe that's Corey's problem."

I know it's no use arguing with her; she's not going to back down.

After changing my shirt, we head downstairs and meet Sam and the rest of the wedding guests at breakfast. I look around the dining area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man I ran into in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, he’s nowhere to be found.

Sam and Francesca scheduled a day for us all to sightsee together, learning the history of the town. Once we visited all of the "must-see" attractions on their list, we returned for dinner and a nap to recharge our batteries for a group exploration of the Charleston nightlife.

I know that's the purpose of Francesca’s visit. And I know she's not going to care the least bit that I don't want to go. I put off answering the door, but she's having none of it. Francesca raps at the door again.

"I know you're in there. I'm not leaving. You might as well let me in."

The last thing I want is forhimto come down the corridor looking for me and get scared off by the sight of my best friend. I yank the door open and pull her inside.

"You don't have to be so loud. Some people are actually asleep."

"No one is asleep. It's only nine-thirty," she says, tossing something black on my bed.

"About that. Would you hate me if I didn’t go? I'm tired and—"

"Don't you dare try to weasel your way out of this! You're coming!"

"It's not like you'll miss me. You have Kiara and some of your other friends."

"But you're my best friend."

I let out a long sigh. She's right. This is supposed to be a celebration, and I'm acting the part of Debbie Downer, only there's nothing depressing about the reason I want to stay behind. I'm just not ready to tell Francesca that I'm potentially waiting around for some guy. Some guy I'll never see after I leave Charleston. A guy whose name I don't even know, on the possibility he might come looking for me.

Pathetic.

"Of course, I'm coming." I feign excitement. "There's no place I'd rather be."

"Awesome!" she says in a light, airy tone. "We're going to a club, so I picked something out for you to wear. You are going to look so fucking hot in this!”