Page 109 of Fear of Love
“Um.” I sent her a sheepish look. Behind her, Mila and Evelyn eyed me with matching looks of suspicion. I already knew my lipstick was smudged and so was my mascara.
“Did you do it?” Tasha asked. She was the only one aware of where I was.
Biting my lip, I looked at her and nodded. “I did.”
Tasha let out a squeal so loud I was sure everyone in the place heard it.
“What’s going on?” Mila looked between Tasha and me. Nothing could stop the grin that took over my face.
“I got my man.”
All at once, Josie, Mila, and Tasha crowded around and drew me into a group hug. I stood in the center, grinning from ear to ear.
“You did it!” Mila beamed at me.
“I’m so happy for you.” Josie looked on the verge of tears.
“Told ya,” Tasha said with a smirk.
“Your man? Did I miss something?” Evelyn asked, looking back and forth between us, confused. The girls stepped away as I faced her. Evelyn was like a mom to all of us, but she was Landon’s actual mom. I doubt she’d be upset about me dating her son, but admitting it to her was still a little nerve-wrecking.
“So, um…” I hesitated. “Landon and I are kind of… together now.”
Evelyn was quiet for a beat, her expression unreadable.
“Oh, that's old news.” She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. My jaw dropped. I was pretty sure the other girls were just as stunned.
“Wait, what?”
“I know my son. He’s been smitten with you since day one. Plus, after our paint class he called me to see if you guys had fun. He’s never done that before.” I just stared at her in shock. Landon’s mom knew long before anyone else. “He can’t hide anything from me.”
“So, you’re okay we’re together?”
“Of course I am.” She came forward and wrapped me into a hug. “You two are perfect together.”
Hearing her words made me sag against her in relief. She approved of us being together. I knew it didn’t matter if she did or not, but I adored Evelyn. She was the best mom and woman I’d ever met.
Our hug only lasted a minute before Tasha interrupted.
“As much as I love this, we only have a few minutes before the wedding starts, and Lydia needs to get cleaned up.” She nearly wrenched me away from Evelyn and directed me toward the makeup chair. “Do not move until she’s done fixing you up,” Tasha threatened.
As she flitted off to make sure Josie was ready, I sat still as the makeup artist came over. Her lips drawn down, eyesnarrowed. At her disappointed expression, I gave her a guilty smile.“Sorry.”
She tsked before getting to work on fixing my makeup. Thankfully, it only took her five minutes to do so. She gave me a stern look that told me to behave before she packed her stuff up.
While I was getting my makeup reapplied, Mila pointed out that guests were arriving in the garden. Excitement filled the room as the time came and everyone started making final preparations.
The photographers for the magazine took pictures of Tasha fixing Josie’s dress. Evelyn was taking pictures on her own phone.
Josie’s wedding planner poked her head in to tell us it was time.
“I’m going to head down and check on the guys to make sure they’re ready.” Evelyn pulled Josie into one last hug. “I’m so proud of you.” Before either could start crying again, Evelyn slipped out of the room, leaving just the four of us.
“Thank you guys for being here and for everything else.” Josie looked at each of us, her eyes glossy. “I couldn’t have done all of this without you.”
“We will always be here,” Tasha promised.
“We couldn’t be happier for you, Jo.” Mila gave her a smile.
