Page 24 of Once Bitten, Twice Fried
“Will you answer me honestly without dancing around?”
Julie frowned. She had a feeling she knew what was coming.“Uh. It depends?”
“Just say yes.”
“Yes.”
Yasmine took a breath. “What the fuck happened between you and Zoe?”
“What? Nothing. It’s all fine!” She frowned and feigned being offended. She would just deflect at whatever Yasmine would ask her.
“It doesn’t seem like nothing to me. You haven’t seen her in more than ten years and you were acting so… weird yesterday night? What’s going on?” Yasmine looked unimpressed.
Julie scratched her head. She sighed and sipped her coffee. “Nothing, really. Nothing happened.” She was not really lying. Nothing had happened indeed. Except for that night. And that was the whole problem.
Yasmine looked upset. “I see. I don’t want to start any drama during this weekend, but Zoe was a bit let down last night and thought you were maybe mad at her or something.” Julie opened her mouth but was interrupted by her friend. “I’m not going to push to know whatever happened between you two - sometimes things are none of my business.” She walked towards Julie. “But I’m warning you, I don’t want any drama happening today, tomorrow or at my wedding. Can you promise me that?” She wagged a finger.
Julie nodded frantically. “Yes, of course. Sure. I promise.” Hell. She’d really gone too far last night, hadn’t she? Julie was not thrilled at the idea of being nice to Zoe but the idea of ruining Yasmine’s hen do and wedding because she was an idiot was not great either. She’d have to take it in stride. And after how she acted with Zoe last night, she’d be surprised if Zoe still wanted to be friendly with her.
Maybe all of her problems were solved?
Chapter 11
Zoe stepped out of the shower, sighing with relief. It definitely helped with her hangover. Since when did the Belgians drink like this? She couldn’t remember it being that bad from when she was a college student. She walked back into her room and sat on her bed. To be fair, she was pretty sure she had drunk more than the rest of them yesterday.
All that because of Julie.
Why was Julie acting like such a prick? What was wrong with her? She’d acted like Zoe had the plague the entire night and wouldn’t even just make small talk with her. The worst of it was that Zoe couldn’t even be mad at her. She was just too happy to see Julie again. Maybe today would go better, though Zoe wasn’t going to get her spirits up.
She looked at her phone. A message from Tom. He was sending her the contact details of some wedding people he’d found. Zoe rubbed her forehead. She really didn’t feel like looking at it now. She’d save it for later. She quickly typed an answer to thank him. The other hens had been all so curious about Tom at dinner last night. They had asked her a million questions about what he was like and Zoe felt very proud in describing how nice Tom was at home. How considerate he was. How in love he was. She didn’t mention that all of this only happened when they were both home, which meant arounda week every month. But seeing all the hens fawn over him reminded her that she’d made a good choice.
Another message. From Nicki. She was asking Zoe how the first night of the hen do went. And if she’d talked it out with Julie. Even from far away Nicki could help Zoe feel better.
“Thanks for asking, Nicki! First night went well. Julie is being weird and distant so we haven’t talked about anything yet… I hope today will be different. How’s Switzerland? Say hi to your girlfriend from me.”
Zoe got dressed and headed out of the room. She opened the front door and walked downstairs to the lower level of the duplex. She could hear clattering in the kitchen already. She moved through the main hall and poked her head into the kitchen area.
“Look at this fancy tea. Do you think the owner of the place will notice if I bring some home?” Julie was standing on a stool, holding a small tin in her hand.
“I won’t say anything if you don’t snitch about the fact that I’m taking the espresso machine home.”
“Oh come on Yas, you’re going to be married to a famous guy. You’ll probably be able to afford a thousand of these bad boys.”
“Not all famous people are made of money, Julie!”
Zoe cleared her throat. “As a famous person, I can confirm that I own the same espresso machine at home.”
Yasmine and Julie stopped in their tracks.
“Zoe! You’re awake!” Yasmine walked towards her and gave her a big hug. “I still can’t believe you’re here. I’m so excited for today!”
“Me too!” She hugged Yasmine back with all her strength. Zoe shot a look at Julie, half expecting that she would excuse herself back to her room or pretend she’d lost the ability to speak. Julie had a stupid grin on her face and was still holdingher tin of fancy tea, frozen in time. She blinked, then seemed to be resolved about something.
“Do… Do you want a coffee, Zoe?” Julie said, hesitantly.
Zoe was surprised. She had not thought Julie would be… nice? “Sure, I would love one.”
Julie jumped down the stool and walked towards the espresso machine. Loud clanking sounds echoed around the room.
