Page 80 of Vodka and Chocolate Drops

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Amber heldhands with Scott as Mandy and Frankie got married, Mary Alice performing the ceremony. Mandy looked amazing in her simple gown. With her blond hair smoothed into a cascade that ran down her back, and a few meadow flowers tucked in here and there, she looked like a designer-clad nymph. The sun shone on them, a gentle breeze swaying the grass and flowers behind them, the mountains a larger-than-life backdrop. It was picturesque and everything anyone would wish for a good friend’s big day.

“Well, this sucks,” said a voice behind her.

Amber turned to see Nicola scowling at the bride and groom.

“Why?” she whispered, aware that Scott wasn’t impressed with the distraction.

“Nothing.” Nicola crossed her arms, her body one big frown in the cute pencil skirt she was sporting with her new figure. “It’s just so sappy,” she complained. “Who needs love?”

“Apparently, you.” Amber pulled Nicola away from the ceremony, gesturing to Scott that she’d be back soon and to ignore them. When they were away from the crowd, she asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Nicola shrugged her off, suddenly way more interested in the couple exchanging rings and looking as delighted as if they’d just been given free everything for the rest of their lives.

“What?” Amber pressed.

“Nothing.”

She watched Nicola trying to ignore her, then said, “Nope. Definitely something. Everybody wants to be loved. You still haven’t talked to Todd, have you?”

She didn’t need Nicola to reply in order to know she’d hadn’t.

“Well, we can fix this,” Amber declared.

“No, we can’t.”

“Why not tell him the truth?”

“That would be a disaster.”

“And this agony isn’t?”

“We’re best friends.”

“And?” Amber made a sweeping gesture to the two best friends who were now officially husband and wife. Not to mention her own boyfriend, who was part of her personal friends-to-lovers happily ever after.

“I broke a rule. I kissed him on Valentine’s Day. He hasn’t called me. Wealwaystalk.” Nicola fidgeted with her fingers and wouldn’t meet her eye.

Amber had seen Todd around Nicola last February. He’d been possessive. Protective. He was a man in love. Amber was sure of it. “He loves you.”

“Not like that.”

“He hasn’t called?”

Nicola shook her head forlornly.

“And have you called him?”

“No.”

“Oh, geez. The two of you need to take off your scaredy-pants and get into each other’s, if you know what I’m saying.”

Nicola tipped her head back in surprise.

“No, really. You’re unhappy. Missing him. Avoiding him. It really doesn’t sound like there’s much left to lose.”

“Are you sure?” Nicola expression was both hopeful and terrified.

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