I nod. “Yeah. We all took art classes together in high school. I’m the least artsy out of all of them, but I love planning events. I was also bartending for a while. I really loved that.”
“That’s really cool. Are they part of the reason why you wanted to do this?”
“If you’re asking me if one of them put me up to this, that’s an overwhelming yes,” I chuckle. “They’re all in happy relationships.” I smirk, rolling my eyes as I add, “And all somehow with football players.”
The two shoot each other a glance. “That’s crazy. How do you feel about that?”
I hate it,I want to say.I’m happy for them, but I’m so damn tired of having to ignore Cooper.
“I love it for them. They’re great guys.”
Joanna stares at me. All I can hear is the slight buzz of the cameras, and suddenly the room feels ten times hotter, thewarm vanillascent coming from my candles making the air thick.
“I’m not much of a football fan,” I say stiltedly.
She purses her lips and, with a deep breath, continues down her list of questions.
Yes, I love burgers.
Yes, I really love the beach. Why wouldn’t I? I grew up there.
IloveMaryland.
I’ve always wanted to get married, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted in a man.Mostly because the person I always thought I would end up with isn’t an option at all. Figuring out what I like in a man would require me to date.
No, there is no one I have feelings for at the moment.
I’m totally ready for a committed relationship. I think letting professionals pair me with someone is probably better than letting me figure it out myself.
When they’re finally done asking me the hard questions, they start asking me questions about what I’d want for my wedding. “Does this have anything to do with finding a partner?”
Dylan shrugs. “We ask all the women. Sometimes you canlearn a lot about people by what they picture for their wedding.”
I guess that makes sense.
“Where do you want to have it?” they ask.
“In a garden, I think. I haven’t thought about it much, to be honest. I’m not someone who has pictured their wedding since they were a kid, and I wish I were. I think I’d be okay with anything.”
“What song would you walk down the aisle to?”
I smile. This is one of the questions I definitely know the answer to. “Yours Foreverby Lucy May,” I tell them. “It’s the one thing I’ve always known I’ve wanted.”
I won’t let anyone ruin it for me.
CHAPTER 9
AMARA
“Ican’t believe you’re about to break the curse tomorrow,” Isla says as she downs nearly an entire espresso martini. Her face pinches as she swallows, her head shaking.
“It’s the end of a weird little curse you guys have, that’s for sure,” Izara chuckles. “You guys should have seen my face when Briar told me she was going to work for Leo. No good comes from hanging around football players.” She raises her glass in a toast, and we all follow.
“I love you guys so much,” I tell them with a small smile, looking around. “But you all know football just isn’t my thing.”
“Isla started it,” Mila snickers.
Isla tosses her long brown hair over her shoulder, her eyes drooping a little. “I don’t regret it! You guys are in wonderful relationships!”
