“I don’t know.” She pushed her book toward him. “Coordinate planes.”
“A piece of cake.” Tanner smiled.
She almost melted in her seat right there. But she managed not to. She and Tanner were friends, and she would rather have that than nothing.
“Let’s forget about Friday, okay? Then we can focuson this.” He tapped the page. “Not some idiotic party that never should have happened.”
She was sure he meant the kiss too. The embrace they’d shared would be their one and only, and wishing differently wouldn’t change anything. If Tanner could forget the kiss, then so could she.
But deep down, she knew she never would.
Chapter2
April
Ten years later
“I hate the name the Four Musketeers.”
“Weknow,” Harper Wilson and Riley McAllister said in unison.
“You bring it up every Tuesday, Olivia.” Riley’s cushion-cut diamond engagement ring glinted under the fluorescent lighting as she waved her hand. Shortly after her fiancé, Hayden Price, had proposed during the grand reopening of Knots and Tangles—the yarn shop Riley co-owned with her grandmother, Erma—he had replaced the pink-yarn ring Erma had fashioned for him with the beautiful understated one she wore now. Anita held back a sigh. The proposal had been so romantic, with him dropping to one knee in front of the Bosom Buddies, Erma’s long-time group of friends. Anita, Harper, and Olivia Farnsworth had beenthere, too, and afterward the four of them had formed their own group—one that after eight months still didn’t have a name.
“Shouldn’t we be talking about something more important?” Harper said. “Like your wedding, Riley. How are the plans going?”
“Good. Everything’s moving right along.”
Olivia nodded. “You’re not worried about Tracey showing up?”
Only Olivia would be straightforward enough to bring up Riley’s mother. But when Anita exchanged a glance with Harper, she saw she and Olivia weren’t the only curious ones.
Riley shook her head. “No. Mimi said she was back in jail again.”
“This might sound heartless, but I’m glad.” Harper scowled. “You don’t need her showing up and ruining everything.”
“I agree. At least she's safe in jail, too.” Riley sighed. “Tracey’s made her choices. I’ve made mine. Mimi and I are our own little family, and Hayden will soon be a part of that.” She smiled. “There is one little hitch, though.”
“What?” Anita asked, concerned. She wanted everything perfect for Riley.
Riley took a sip of the chai tea she had fixed earlier. “Mimi is still insisting she can wear her prom dress as a grandmother-of-the-bride dress.”
“You’re kidding,” Harper said, a horrified look crossing her face.
Riley rolled her eyes. “I wish. Fortunately, she can’t findit. Her attic is full of stuff, and she’s barely made a dent in the boxes. But she’sabsolutely,positivelysure it’s up there somewhere.”
“What does it look like?” Anita asked.
“You know the vinyl tablecloth she has on the kitchen table? The one with the avocado-green and egg yolk–yellow flowers on it? Like that, but worse.”
“Oh no.” All three girls groaned.
“I’ll take her shopping,” Harper said. “I’ll convince her to pick out something a little more contemporary.” Harper, the fashion queen of the group, had also contributed some advice on the bridesmaids’ dresses, at the bride’s request.
“That would be great.” Riley grinned. “I still can’t believe I’m getting married.”
Harper frowned. “You’re not having any doubts, are you?”
Riley shook her head. “I can’t imagine life without Hayden. It’s surreal how much has changed since I came back to Maple Falls last year. I went from being an introverted struggling artist to being a partner in Knots and Tangles with Mimi, selling some of my work online, getting engaged, and finding the best friends a girl could ever have.”
