Page 77 of That Kind of Guy

I glanced at my reflection again and shoved away the thoughts of hesitation. It was fine.

“Alterations will take three to four months,” Geraldine called over, and my stomach tensed. The wedding was next week. I’d have to choose a different dress, something that didn’t need alterations.

Elizabeth smiled and put her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be doing the alterations.”

I gave her a grateful look.

“Don’t you even dare,” Div told me when I slipped my wallet out of my purse. “Emmett said to watch you like a hawk because you might try to pay.”

“Come on,” Max said, pulling me out of the shop.

“I don’t even know how much it costs,” I protested.

“Doesn’t matter,” Max ignored my objections.

Within minutes, we all reconvened outside. Div held the box, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

The group of us headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch, talking and laughing and in high spirits. This morning, in anticipation of dress shopping, I was filled with dread, but now I felt lighter, happier, and optimistic.

This was all going to be just fine.

“What a lovely day,” Elizabeth said once we were seated, “with my future daughter-in-law.” She smiled warmly at me, and I felt it all the way down to my toes.

And then a pang of cold guilt hit me in the stomach. I couldn’t get too used to this. I cleared my throat. “The ahi tuna looks good.”

“I can’t wait to meet your parents,” she told me, reading her own menu. “They must be so excited that their baby is getting married.”

A rock dropped in my stomach.

I had spoken with my mom on the phone yesterday. I had called her with the intention to tell her about the restaurant and getting married and then I just… froze. The words wouldn’t come out of my mouth. I had listened while my mom told me about the book she was reading and then we said goodbye and hung up. After I had failed to tell her, calling my dad wasn’t even an option. I hadn’t spoken to the guy in close to two years.

I shifted in my seat, picturing him pulling Emmett aside and asking him to borrow money. Shame unfurled in me and made its way up into my throat.

“Mhm.” I swallowed the shame down and stared at my menu. “I wonder if the tuna is fresh or frozen.”

“Are they spending a few days in town?” She turned to me. “I’d love to have them over for dinner.”

“Um, I’m not sure,” I said, eyes glued to my menu. “They’re pretty busy with stuff.”

I pictured my mom meeting Emmett, and him turning on the politician’s charm with her. Would she think he was too much like my dad? Would she disapprove? Would she fall in love with him like everyone else?

The knots in my stomach turned over. Why did it matter? Emmett and I weren’t getting married for real. I knew this, and yet somehow, I had to keep reminding myself.

“Do you smell smoke?” Max asked, staring straight at me with a knowing look.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“No?” Hannah said, sniffing the air.

Max continued to look at me. “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” he mouthed.

I looked back at my menu. I’d call them today. I’d call them individually and tell them I was getting married and ask them to come.

A shudder of anxiety rolled through me.

Tomorrow. I’d call them tomorrow.

19

---