Page 70 of Sprite Wedding
We had managed to avoid some of the issues that plagued roommates. That was likely because Lucie had everything outlined down to bullet points in the leasing contract. That likely came from experience in her field.
Becca entered the apartment, looking somewhat frazzled as she dealt with a few shopping bags that got tangled as she put them on the floor. She then removed her shoes. She pulled her dark wavy hair out of her ponytail. “Hey,” she greeted us.
“You need a hand?” Lucie asked.
“No, I just picked up some things from the store.”
Lucie exhaled with a whoosh. “We have some good news and bad news.”
Becca stared at her and then me before returning her gaze to Lucie. “What is it?”
“Zoe, you can tell her,” Lucie prodded.
After raising my hand to show the ring, I declared, “I’m getting married!”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Becca said. “Congratulations.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s the bad news?”
“Zoe’s moving out.” Lucie gestured to me with both hands.
“Ah, that’s a bummer.” Becca exhaled. “I’ll miss you.”
Really? That was surprising but nice to hear. We were never in each other’s business and had managed to avoid arguments over the years. Our arrangement fit our personalities, so it had worked for us. Yet, they had been part of my life for a long time, and we got on well. Maybe we were friends.
“I’m going to miss you, too,” I replied—and meant it. This was more affection than we’d ever shown each other. “I’m glad we’ll still see each other at the Network.”
I metup with Gianna and Nova at the Danger Zone as they wanted to talk wedding stuff without the guys. We found a booth away from the dance floor where we could hear each other talk over the music, which was currently Prince’s “When Doves Cry.”
After we had a pitcher of sangria to share, I noted, “Thanks for the offer to help, but you do realize who I’m marrying, right? Lucas is more into the wedding planning than I am.”
“Hmm, I can see that.” Nova tapped her lips.
Gianna squirmed in her seat and gestured to me. “We can plan a bachelorette party.”
I gave her a pointed stare. “Please don’t suggest a strip club.”
She laughed. “Why not? You have too much of that in your bedroom?” She winked.
Since that wasn’t far from the truth, I didn’t respond to that. “What do you have in mind?”
She motioned around to the three of us. “Just us girls. None of the guys for this one.”
“I may be open to something.” Before I agreed to anything I’d regret, I said, “I’m wary of what you might come up with, Gianna.”
Gianna gave me a sweet smile. “I won’t do anything that would make you uncomfortable.” She turned to Nova. “Would I?”
Nova slanted a gaze. “You mean like convince Zoe to endure laser hair removal before speed dating?”
Gianna laughed.
Nova turned to me. “Gianna signed me up for both when I first came to Salem. Don’t let her trick you into either.”
“No way.” My gaze traveled from one to the other. “Okay, let’s do one—but I get veto power.”
Gianna nodded. “We’ll think of something you’ll love.”
What that meantthe next weekend was starting out the day at a drag brunch in Boston. We’d taken the ferry down from Salem. In addition to Gianna, Nova, and me were Pandora, Cassandra, and my roommates Lucie and Becca.
A Beyonce´ performer came out and sang “Single Ladies”. When she asked if there were any bachelorettes, Gianna hooted and pointed at me.
