Page 55 of Take 2
“Cece!” Morgan scolds.
“It’s been over a year! I’m concerned for her well-being!”
Should I be really impressed with myself that I’mnotrattled by discussing this? Probably not. But it feels like progress. “Isn’t that why you sent me my little gift?”
Cece groans. “I set it to self-destruct after a year if it continues to be your only source of orgasms. Hope you don’t like your nightstand too much.”
“You are such a dork.”
“I mean …” Morgan doesn’t want to push it, but she obviously agrees. “A vibrator is not a permanent replacement for a human body.”
“Yours is crying in the back of some drawer because it hasn’t had the opportunity to love you in so long.”
“Oh, that’s not true. Scott isn’t threatened by it. We’re all on the same team and work together really well.”
“Go team Morgan’s orgasms!”
“Can’t wait to see how you pack for the honeymoon.”
“Sex toys get their own suitcase,” Morgan deadpans.
“Are you going to bring a date?”Cece asks.
“Of course I am.”
“James doesn’t count,”Morgan says.
“He absolutely does. He will be the most fun person at that wedding. Present company excluded.”
“Then I will happily give him his own invitation. If you meet someone, you’re more than welcome to bring a date.”
Fat chance. If I can bring myself to go onadate or sleep with someone by September, that will be a feat. Actually dating someone? Probably not. Dating someone who I could bring to a weddingwhere I will be so happy for my best friend but also possibly teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown? Absolutely not. James will be able to handle me. I can’t be with some guy who would want me thinking about him and not my ex-husband when we get into bed after a wedding.
“Thank you for the offer, love. But I don’t think so.”
Cece chimes in. “A wedding date is a bit much. But when we come out there for the bachelorette party … Bella, I am going to wing woman so hard.”
Wing woman will be better than fairy godmother, at least. Despite her intentions, she did get me married last time, and I do not need that again. “Can’t wait,” I say in a voice that doesn’t even feign excitement. “Okay, show time.”
“Pictures before you get smashed,” Morgan reminds me.
“I’m going to be better behaved this year. We have a six-plus hour drive tomorrow.”
“All right,” Cece says, “have fun.”
“Love you both.”
Off the phone, my reflection smiles back at me, and it feels more legitimate than last year. I ruffle the skirt in both hands, and it’s still weird to think no hands will be sliding up under it. The last few times Ryan and I spoke, the conversations were sterile, a matter of settling logistics. We had to get each other’s names off accounts and split the cellphone plan and stuff. The easiest way to do that was just to shut off my phone number. I wanted an LA area code anyway, so this felt like a real step into being an actual Los Angelino. Ryan may have changed his phone number, too. Or he ignored me when I felt the absurd urge to tell him I was agented.
Stop it, Bella.No crying this year. Not all the rules can be reinstated, but this one can. There is absolutely no reason for me to cry this year. There aren’t even any movies that would really upset me with a win. This year is all good things. Maybe Mom’s dress selection was right.
I come out to the bedroom, and James holds out a rocks glass for me. “You are the most gorgeous Wisconsin cheese I have ever seen.”
My jaw drops. “It is sunflower yellow. Not cheese yellow.”
“Tell yourself whatever you want.” He takes a sip of Grey Goose. “You do look great.”
“Thank you.”
