Page 133 of Lavender Lake
“So unlike you,” Hadley said. She looked at Gracie. “I invited him and his family to the wedding.”
“Yeah, he said that. You should bring him as your date,” Gracie said to me.
“Why are you guys trying to foist him on me?” I asked.
“Because I think you need a little . . .foistage.” Hadley picked up another tartlet. “And by foistage, I mean?—”
“I know what you mean,” I said. “We all know what you mean.”
The door to the bakery opened, momentarily stealing our attention.
“Hey, welcome to Sweet Teeth,” Gracie said, addressing the two women who’d just walked in.
Hadley and I both jumped up from our chairs, sending them crashing to the floor.
“Oh my God!” Hadley gasped. “What are you guys doing here? You’re not supposed to be here for another two days!”
Wyn grinned and looked at Poet. “Told you her reaction would be worth the surprise.”
“You were right,” Poet agreed. “We came early. God, this bakery is even cuter in person.”
The four of us hugged and laughed and my heart lifted in my chest at seeing my two best friends in my hometown.
“Gracie,” I said, turning with my arm around Poet’s shoulders. “This pint-sized fairy is Poet. And the Viking over there is Wyn.”
“You have one shield maiden who pillaged towns in your family history and suddenly no one will let you live it down,” Wyn quipped. Her sunglasses were perched on top of her blonde hair as a makeshift headband.
“Oh, I’m so glad to finally meet the both of you,” Gracie said. “You two sit, and I’ll bring you a variety plate.”
“Thank God, I’m starving,” Wyn said. “We’ve been up since three a.m.”
We grabbed two more chairs and the four of us crowded around the small table, our knees bumping together underneath it.
“Okay, so, you decided to surprise us,” I said. “Best surpriseever.”
“How did you manage to swing it?” Hadley asked. “Or has this been the plan all along?”
“It just worked out,” Wyn said. “I miss Mildred, though.”
“Who’s Mildred?” Gracie called from behind the counter.
“I nanny for a family. It’s their dog,” Wyn said. “Though I’m the only one who takes care of her.”
“She’s usually at our apartment,” Poet added. “On the nights that Wyn actually gets to sleep in her own bed, that is. Mildred is right next to her.”
“What kind of dog?” Gracie asked.
“Miniature long-haired dachshund. Cream colored. She looks like a mini golden retriever in a way,” Wyn said.
Gracie brought over another plate of baked goods. “I forgot to ask what you’re drinking.”
“That,” Wyn said, pointing to Hadley’s hot chocolate. “I need the sugar.”
“Same for me,” Poet said as she pushed up her tortoiseshell frames.
“And you?” I asked Poet. “How did you skip out of town early?”
“Candace took Alma to a conference,” Poet explained. “So, I bounced.”
