Page 22 of Something Borrowed

“Honey, you’ll never be done. I know you and I know the job. Come on. I have those mini pizza rolls you like. So greasy and disgusting. I don’t know how you can eat them.” She gave a mock shudder, but smiled.

Brigid didn’t have the heart to tell her she was avoiding spicy food to keep her stomach ulcers under control. She turned off the desk light and followed her out.

Grady was already on the patio, gathered around the grill with Matthew, both drinking beer and talking low. No one else was on the patio yet, but food had been set out on the table, cheese and crackers, fruit, chips and dip, the pizza rolls, and a veggie platter. Brigid grabbed a plate, avoiding the spicy pizza and hoping the cheese would not irritate her stomach any more than it already was. She grabbed a ginger ale, wanting her wits about her and not clouded by alcohol, then headed over to a chair, avoiding Grady’s gaze. Heck, with her developing ulcer, she should be avoided alcohol anyway, so it was a win-win.

Caroline sat next to her and crossed one leg over the other and studied her quietly. Brigid fidgeted and finally looked at her friend. “What? Is it my working?”

Caroline shook her head. “Not exactly. It’s you. I hate to see you so unhappy.”

Brigid shifted. “I’m not unhappy.”

“But you’re not happy either. You’re losing weight. You’re paler than usual. And I’ll bet you’re developing an ulcer too. Are you even sleeping? Judging by those dark circles under your eyes, you’re not. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn’t worried?”

“You’re the bride. You shouldn’t be worrying about your bridesmaids.”

Caroline shrugged. “We only have the last-minute stuff to do for the wedding. This week is really about reconnecting with friends. We’ve grown apart.” She waved her hand, dismissing Brigid’s protests. “I know. Everyone is busy, and many people don’t stay in contact after college, but I thought we would be different. We all promised.”

“Caroline, we were twenty-two. Our lives followed different paths. But we’re all here for you. We’ll never be the roommates we were back then. This is our new reality.”

“Really?” Caroline arched her eyebrow. “You work with my fiancé and live in Houston. Delaney still lives in Houston. Every time I want to get together, you’re too busy, and Delaney flat out avoids me. I understand Delaney’s issues, but I don’t know why you’re avoiding me. Is it my father?”

“Your father?” Brigid stared at her.

“Yes, are you worried people will think that you’re using me and my father to get ahead at the firm? Because you can ask Matthew. My father is actually harder on him because of our relationship.”

A hint of bitterness threaded through her tone, and Brigid cocked her head. “Is everything okay, Caroline?”

“Yes, of course. It just gets tiring not seeing your fiancé for days on end except somewhere in the middle of the night. I know he had a big deal going on, but I sometimes wonder if it’s worth it. Is it worth it to you?”

“Being a lawyer? Yes. This is what my whole college time was focused on—everything I’ve been working for.”

“What’s your end-game, Brigid? When will you have a life outside of the office?”

Brigid balled up her napkin and threw it at the garbage. “Why does everyone keep asking me that? First Grady and now you. It’s my life.”

Caroline laid a soothing hand on Brigid’s arm. “I know, but we’re just worried about you. I don’t want you to end up alone and sad, or worse, sick and miserable.”

Brigid patted her hand. “I appreciate that, but I have a plan.” She took a sip of her ginger ale.

Caroline withdrew her hand and sipped her wine. “Okay. Now, what should we do about you and Grady?”

Brigid sputtered, the soda dribbling out of her mouth. Before she could respond, the door to the patio opened and a beautiful, dark-haired, olive-skinned woman stormed out. Anna Maria Costado, known on television for her dramatic entrances on her nighttime drama, Passions, paused for a moment to scan the area, then beelined for the outdoor bar. Matthew joined her, the good host offering a drink.

Right behind her, three other people stepped out of the house. A tall blonde woman stopped dead in the doorway, frozen in place. Brigid sympathized with Delaney, the one member of their group who had completely distanced herself from everyone. Brigid understood it had all been about self-preservation, the member of the group that Brigid had found most difficult to connect with, but quickly discovered beneath the haughty socialite exterior, she was shy and not as confident as people believed. Her father’s arrest and death had devastated Delaney, and she had done what was instinctive. Retreat, regroup, and focus. Pride pulled her from the group. Now she was terrified of the group’s reaction to her.

Judging by Anna’s bad temper, Brigid would have guessed that she and Delaney would have already clashed. Brigid glanced at her watch. Everyone had arrived within the past two hours. That had to have been a record for those two, getting along more like oil and flame than wine and cheese. Anna had resented Delaney for her wealth and social status, her jealousy almost causing a rift in the group. But they seemed to have reached a detente, especially once they had been forced to share a room at college. Caroline might have been Delaney’s oldest friend, but Anna was the one who felt the most betrayed, not understanding how Delaney could have tossed her friends aside so quickly. Anna had a long memory, and her forgiveness would not be quick in coming.

Brigid understood Delaney’s decision. Not that she wasn’t pissed, but that was five years ago. If Delaney didn’t want their help, she was a big girl, and that was her choice. Stupid, but Brigid got it, seeing how she found it easier to be an island as she worked her way up the firm’s ladder. Friends didn’t understand the grueling demands of her job and often drifted away, or, more likely, blew up at her for being selfish, and stormed out of her life. Caroline was the one person who refused to give in, and dug in her claws to ensure Brigid never walked away, and she appreciated it, even if Caroline was sometimes a pain about it.

Wyatt Turner held Delaney’s arm. It had been years since she had seen him also, but she had heard about his injury and retirement from the NFL. Hard to miss any news about football in Texas, especially about a local boy making good. He retreated from everyone after his injury and headed back to their alma mater, University of Texas, as a coach, and she wondered how he felt about his change in plans. Judging by the lines of tension bracketing his mouth, either Anna had already pissed him off or life wasn’t as smooth as he had hoped. But whose life was?

Delaney clutched his forearm like a lifeline, and Brigid shook her head. Wyatt needed to drop his hand quickly, or else Ethan Van Owen, Delaney’s former ex-fiancé, would do something about it, judging by the thundercloud expression on his face. He glowered at them, but no one else noticed since he was in the shadow of the doorway, behind Delaney. He caught Brigid staring and relaxed his face.

Yeah, his feelings weren’t gone, not by a long shot. This week was chock full of emotional bombs. Not exactly the relaxing vacation Caroline had promised. Brigid only hoped it wouldn’t backfire on Caroline and ruin the wedding. Judging by the faces of the gathered friends, it was a valid concern.

Matthew crossed the stone patio and hugged Delaney, introducing Grady, and the group had one big exhale, as it seemed the crisis had been averted. Everyone had a drink and was settled in their corners. But then Anna just couldn’t resist poking the elephant in the room.

“A best friend wouldn’t have disappeared for years,” Anna muttered, loud enough for the entire group to hear.

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