“They all made sure you found something while they were there,” Lana said. “And I’m still trying to figure out whytheychose your dress and not you.”
I chewed my toast, my stomach knotting. “They’ve chosen everything else. Why not my dress, too?” I asked softly.
“Because it’s your fucking wedding—“
“You know I don’t care about those things,” I argued. “They do.”
“Andwhydon’t you care about those things?”
Sometimes I hated her.
I sighed and downed the rest of my coffee. “Can we talk about this later?” I said as I stood to clean up the table. “Like… after I’ve had a few glasses of wine and a big fat steak?”
“Oh, is that what we’re having for dinner tonight?”
“It’s Friday and Tyler has some fancy dinner with a client, so I won’t hear from him until like two in the morning. Therefore, yes. You’re my date, and we’re ordering a three-courser. Don’t worry, I’ll order yours too.”
“Such a gentleman,” Lana said, giving a kissy face to the screen. “Hey, do you think the bridal boutique will also have in my dress to try on?”
“I’ll have Tyler call to make sure they do. He can probably pull a few strings.”
Lana scoffed. “You mean slap a few hundred dollars in their hands and demand to be taken care of?”
“You’re the only person I know that would say that condescendingly.”
“It’s not a bad thing,” Lana shrugged. “He just throws money at any problem he might come across. Including any problem with you.”
“Lana…” I said her name in a warning tone, my jaw tightening. It was too early for this conversation, too early to hear her complain about Tyler or bring up any qualms she might have with or about him.
“I’m just saying… Maybe these dreams you’re having are part of the universe’s way of talking to you,” Lana said.
My mouth twisted in annoyance. “What?”
“The things you’re describing sound like what it feels like to realize you’re in love,” she continued. “The warmth. The aching heart, butterflies in your stomach, restless muscles, dopamine, weak knees… Maybe it’s your soul reaching out.”
“Reaching out for what?” I asked in disbelief.
“For its counterpart,” Lana said.
I huffed as I rinsed my cup out. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Am I, though?” Lana asked.
A heavy sigh left me. I was engaged. I didn’t know what she was saying, even as I knew she didn’t like Tyler all that much, but this?
“I have to stop by the coffee shop for espresso,” I said. “Barely got any sleep.”
“Because you were banging that shadow all night,” Lana said with a wink. “I’m telling you, babe. The universe is speaking to you. Your soul is crying out and trying to tell you something.”
“That I’m dying and having hot flashes?”
Lana scoffed. “You should listen to it.”
“Lana…”
“I know, I know—“
“It’s not that I don’t believe in that kind of thing,” I said quickly. “I just… I like where my life is right now. I’m not exactly looking for something to come in and change all of that.”
