Page 76 of Follow Your Bliss

“Becca’s pregnant friend with the two children—what’s her name? Kimmy? Her obstetrician confined her to bedrest, so I suggested Misty take her place. She and Becca have been friends since they were in diapers.”

“Is Kimmy okay? And you have to tell Rose.” I pointed my thumb back toward the foyer. “She’s almost finished with the dresses.”

Mom laid her hand on my arm but looked at the Hopes. “He’s such a sweet boy. Yes, Kimmy’s fine. It’s just a precaution. And since Kimmy is taller, and with her pregnant belly a good bit wider, I’m sure it’ll be easy for Rose to alter the dress down to fit Misty’s petite frame. The two of you would make such a handsome couple walking down the aisle together.”

My heart sped up. I’d nearly forgotten I’d be walking with Rose down the aisle. I shook my head. “I wouldn’t mess with Becca’s plans, Ma. You remember how she had us all line up by height. I’m not rocking the boat.”

I couldn’t unpack how standing with Rose made me feel right now. She was in the corner animatedly talking and laughing with her friends. Heather held her hands apart, palms facing, a clear gesture of an obscene measurement. Rose shook her head and pulled her hands out wider. Abby pulled both of their hands down, and they all laughed harder.

Three guesses what they were talking about over there. My face went hot even as my male pride swelled. I hit the remote again. Rose shut her eyes and grabbed Heather’s arm, and I turned away before I lost composure and laughed out loud. I pulled out my phone before Mom could follow my gaze.

“Do you have Rose’s number?” I asked Misty. “Make sure you talk to her tonight.” This was so unfair. Rose was already stressed enough trying to get those dresses done without having to alter one she’d already finished.

I gave Rose’s number to Misty. When I looked up, Mom and Misty’s parents had disappeared, leaving us alone in the little area off the sunroom.

“I think we’re being set up.” She sidled close enough that the wine on her breath carried to me. “You look so fine in that suit.”

“Thanks.” I stepped to leave.

She grabbed my arm. “I haven’t seen you in a couple weeks. Has anything changed with your…” her eyes dropped below my belt. “Resolution?”

I roughly peeled her hand off. “That’s—wow. I’m gonna stop you there. I’m not interested in anything you’re getting at.”

She stepped closer, and I stepped away, my back hitting a column. She moved in. “So,” she said quietly, “if I wanted to pull you into a closet and suck what I bet is a big, fat dick—”

“Jesus Christ. No.” I took her by the elbows and kept her at arm’s length as I stepped away from the column. “I’m not interested.”

“I promise you’ll like it,” she giggled, trying to press closer.

“I promise I don’t want it. Don’t talk to me again.” I released her elbows and walked away.

Rose

Jason left me almost the moment we got here. The bastard pressed the remote and then went off to talk to beautiful Misty who was wearing a tight orange dress.

Heather leaned in toward me. “You’re totally doing it with Jason,” she said quietly.

“Heather!” Abby mildly chastised.

I threw my head back with a laugh. I’d missed this dynamic.

Heather raised her expertly groomed eyebrows. “Where’s the lie?” She spoke at her usual volume now, and before she could say anything else, I pulled them both a little farther from the people around us.

“Okay, yes, you’re right.”

They both squealed, but I shushed them.

“But you can’t tell anyone,” I pleaded.

Abby’s lips were a line. “Why?”

“Because. It’s…complicated.”

“So uncomplicate it for us,” Heather said.

I filled them in on the contract elephant in the room and the cousin who could blow our case wide open on the internet. “And it’s fine, honestly, because I’m not sure I’m ready to meet the parents, so to speak, even though I already know them.”

My friends exchanged looks, and Abby spoke first. “Okay. If you’re okay with it, I’m okay with it.”

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