“How long?” Audrey breathed.
“A few weeks,” she said. “And we’re going to tell everyone really soon but I want Grace to have her moment first.”
“My lips are sealed. Oh my god, I’m so happy for you.” Audrey bounced on her toes as tears filled her eyes. “I’msohappy, Em. You deserve all these good things.”
“And so do you,” Emme said, still holding Audrey’s wrists.
“I have everything I need,” she replied. I knew from the way Emme cocked her head that there was more to that story.
I stepped away to talk to Marcie about getting someone in here to handle the logistics and picking up the check for the girls. She was kind enough to cackle in my ear when I asked if she had enough lead time to coordinate all of this.
When I returned, Jamie had joined the group. Her dress was almost identical to Audrey’s but she had a wide navy ribbon tied around her waist. “I’ve looked everywhere,” she said. “Checked all the bathrooms and made a pass through the kitchen too.”
“They wouldn’t leave,” Audrey said.
“Shay would find them in four minutes flat,” Jamie said. “I find it outrageous that her school had to schedule a family dance for tonight.”
“Isn’t the more outrageous part that we didn’t check her schedule before booking this place?” Audrey asked.
“Everything about this is outrageous.” Jamie made a show of glancing around. “I was promised a minimum of two firefighters carrying me on their massive shoulders the whole night and I see none of that happening.”
“Okay, well, we’ve still lost the bride and groom so how about we fix that problem first and then get you some beefy men?” Audrey asked.
“Maybe they stepped out for a second,” Emme said. “Ben and Grace wouldn’t ditch this party. Or us! Wherever they are, I’m sure they’ll be back soon and we can start on the gifts.”
“We’re already seventeen minutes behind schedule,” Audrey said. “They’ll need to unwrap quickly.”
“Such a weird tradition,” Jamie mused as she chewed on the wooden end of a cocktail umbrella. “Sitting there and opening presents while people watch.”
“Yeah, now that you mention it,” Emme said. “I’d be so awkward about everything I opened. Like I’d tell a story about what I’d use the pots and pans for, or whatever.”
“I told everyone I didn’t want bridal showers and they threw them anyway.” Audrey grimaced like she was reliving it. I knew that look. It was how I reacted when I saw someone take a bad hit on the field. “But my grandmothers and my great-aunts gave me all these ugly gold necklaces and bracelets. Thick, hideous things I’d never wear. I thought I was doing a good job of being gracious but one of my aunts piped up and said I didn’t have to worry about wearing it but I did have to worry about hiding it somewhere my husband would never find. So that I’d have the money to leave him if I needed to.” She shrugged. “I didn’t need the gold to leave him, but goddammit, I’ve never gone to a shower since without a bunch of ugly bracelets and telling the bride those exact words.”
Emme and Jamie folded Audrey into a hug and I stood there, hating that this thought process had to exist. “Muggsy, you don’t have to hide jewelry from me. If you want to leave me, just take all the money. You can have it.”
Jamie chuckled. “We’ll make sure she does.”
Emme grinned at her friend before glancing back to me. “This isn’t about you, Wildcat.”
“You’re one of the good ones,” Audrey said. “But yeah, if she ever decides it’s time to go, you better believe we’ll get her out.”
A startled laugh rumbled up from my chest. I grinned at Emme. “An impressive line you have here.” I nodded at Audreyand then Jamie. “A strong safety, quick cornerback. And with Grace as your nose tackle? They could fuck up any offense.”
“Don’t you forget it,” Jamie said. To Audrey, she asked, “What do those words mean?”
“I don’t know, honey,” she said.
Emme started to explain but then pointed to the taproom doors. “Look! There they are!”
I saw Grace and Ben emerge, both glancing off in different directions. He shoved his hands in his pockets and she crossed her arms over her chest. They pulled on stiff smiles when friends greeted them. I didn’t know how couples were supposed to look at their pub crawl showers but I didn’t think that was it.
“Finally,” Audrey said with a sigh. “I’ll get them seated to start on the gifts.” She hooked her elbow with Jamie’s. “You have to keep them moving. Be tough! No time for chatter.”
“Believe me, I can be tough,” Jamie replied.
Alone again, I rounded on Emme. “That was really fucking intense.”
She lifted her shoulders. “Sorry? But also it’s real life for some women so maybe just cope with it quietly?”
