Kat is wearing a similar expression to the one Mum wore when I told her.
I shrug. “I’m getting in practice,” I say. “Preparing for a time when I have to loosen my hold on the reins.”
Kat doesn’t look convinced, but she lets it slide.
“And your dress?”
“I had my final fitting this morning. It will be ready for me to collect next week before I head over to visit Kris. I’m looking at potential office space.”
“So everything is full speed ahead?”
“It certainly is.”
It’s going to be hard setting up and working out of a new office. The London office is my home base. I know all the staff and have an amazing team. I’m going to miss them.
But marriage is about compromise.
If the truth be told, I’ve handed the plans over to Kris’s mum because she knows the lion’s share of the guests. My wedding party is pretty small. I’m not having any bridesmaids and Mum is giving me away. Darra did not want Lottie pulled out of school, so without my goddaughter as a bridesmaid, I decided to forgo any, especially when she only made the announcement after my save-the-date cards had been sent out.
Lottie was devastated, but I told her it was her mother’s prerogative. That she could come and stay with Kris and me the following summer.
“Well, you’ll be pleased to hear your hen weekend is all organised,” Kat says, grinning.
I shudder. “I hate to think what you’ve planned,” I admit.
Especially after the hen parties we threw for Leah and April.
“Revenge is sweet, according to April and Leah,” Kat says, and I groan.
Our waitress appears and takes our order.
“A bottle of Champagne. We’re celebrating,” Kat tells her.
She scurries off.
I raise an eyebrow, and Kat wrinkles her nose.
“To our last lunch… without pre-planning. Another couple of weeks, we’ll be scheduling our lunches to coincide with you or me flying across the Atlantic. Today, I’m making the most of spending time with my friend. But we’re also celebrating your future. I’m happy for you. May all your dreams come true, as Mum would say.”
“Thank you.”
An ache forms in my chest at her words. Our friendship has drifted, as all do when you allow work to get in the way, but wehave started to reconnect in recent years. Firstly through Leah and Gabriel and then through April and Caleb.
“As long as you’re happy, Kris has my vote. And if he doesn’t, then I’ll come and kick his ass.”
I laugh. Professionally, Kat projects an icy demeanour known throughout the industry and media. However, she has a warm and protective side with friends and family. A Frazer trait. Like me, Kat is a successful woman at the top of her game, under pressure, fighting against the establishment and coming out on top. We both know and understand each other.
“Don’t worry, he treats me like a princess, and it’s time I settled down. I’ve focused exclusively on work for too long. Now I want to play for a bit,” I say, shooting her a wink.
Kat sighs. “I know. I just wish you weren’t moving so far away. It feels like we’ve only just reconnected.”
“Me too. But I’ll be back regularly, and you’re always flying across the pond. We probably won’t notice the difference.”
Our Champagne arrives, and the waitress serves it before placing it in a cooler and taking our food order. When we’re alone, Kat looks up.
“Did you speak to Eli?”
I shoot her a sad smile. “I did, briefly. He seemed?—”
