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“Justin, please.”

“I can’t,” he said. “It’s literally impossible.” There was a long pause. “Which means I’m the only one that can do it. Fine! Damn you and your beautiful husband. I hate you.”

James laughed again.

I lifted up a pillow and tossed it at him. “You don’t mean that, Justin.”

“Of course I don’t. I love you both, you know that. But you’re testing me. God, there’s no time for dillydallying. I’m coming over right now. Make sure the barbarian woman is there so we can hash out the details.”

“Her name is Daphne.”

“I don’t care what her name is!” he screamed. “Ah! Sweet baby Jesus! I have to go!” He hung up the phone.

“He seemed calm, cool, and collected,” James said.

“It’s fine. Everything’s fine.” But…was it? Because Justin was the best wedding planner in the city. And if he couldn’t handle this, no one could. “I better call Daphne,” I said.

Her phone went straight to voicemail.

“Shit, they’re probably super hungover from last night.”

“How about you just come back to bed,” James said, pushing the covers down so I could climb back in.

That invitation was super tempting. How was I supposed to walk away from a shirtless James? I turned away from him so I wouldn’t launch myself back in bed and molest his abs. “Nope. Bridesmaid duties.” I walked into the closet and pulled off James’ shirt that I’d worn to bed. If Justin said he was coming over right away, he was serious. I quickly changed into a stretchy dress. I had a feeling I was going to need to be comfortable today.

“You’re not a bridesmaid until she asks!” James called after me as I ran out of the bedroom.

Where were we going to find Daphne a dress that could be altered so quickly? And bridesmaid dresses. God what if they wanted the whole thing to be parrot themed? Justin was going to freak. He hated corny themes more than anything else in the world. Well, not more than children ringbearers. He seemed to really hate those with a passion. He said they always stole the show.

I pulled open the freezer door. We were going to need something quick for breakfast. I grabbed the box of frozen waffles, pulled out a few, and put them in the toaster. I also started the coffee maker to make James a cup. My fingers drummed along the kitchen counter while I thought about how long it had taken James and me to plan our wedding. How each decision had seemed momentous. Could we have done it in two weeks?

No.definitely not. But…I would have eloped with him if he’d wanted to. I didn’t need a big fancy wedding. Maybe Daphne and Rob would want something simple. Did Justin do simple? I wasn’t sure.

The waffles popped out of the toaster just as the doorbell rang.

“James!” I called up the stairs. “Breakfast is ready and Justin is here!”

“I’ll be down in a second!” James called from our room.

I put the waffles on plates and then hurried to the door. I threw it open and Justin was standing there, his arms full of magazines, three-ringed binders, and clear storage boxes. Or at least, I assumed it was Justin. Because the stack was so high it was covering his face.

“Hi, Justin. Let me help you with those.”

He sighed when I lifted half of the stuff out of his arms, then he kicked the door closed with his foot. “Where. Is. She?” He sounded furious.

“Don’t freak out. But Daphne hasn’t answered my calls yet.”

“Stop telling me not to freak out! It’s too late! This is chaos!” He shook his head and took a deep breath. “Sorry. Two weeks isn’t enough time. But enough about the barbarian for a moment. Penny, you’re glowing. Pregnancy looks good on you.” He kissed each of my cheeks.

“Thanks, Justin.” I walked through the foyer, balancing the binders in my arms before depositing them on the dining room table.

“Is it a boy or a girl?” Justin asked.

“We want it to be a surprise.”

“You’re just full of surprises, recently, aren’t you? Speaking of which….call the barbarian woman again.”

“Justin, stop calling her that,” I hissed.