“Orientation?” I glance around the room. The conversations have settled down and everyone’s eyes are on me. “It was good. I’ll get my bearings eventually. There’s a lot to learn and keep track of. It's overwhelming. But interesting. And demanding.”
“The first weeks on a job are crazy,” Cass says. “You feel like you’re learning to walk.”
“Accurate,” I agree, grabbing a cookie and putting it on a dessert plate.
“Did everyone bring your copy of the book for the month?” Daisy asks the group while I take the seat next to McKenna.
“I left mine at home,” I admit.
“Who picked a firefighter romance?” McKenna asks, pointing an accusatory finger between Emberleigh and Daisy. “One of you two, right?”
“Guilty,” Emberleigh says, raising her hand and looking sheepish.
“I’m having the hardest time getting into the story,” McKenna says. “It’s just awkward. I keep picturing Cody.And no one wants to imagine their brother kissing someone.”
The room erupts into laughter—everyone but me. I picture Cody kissing. I can definitely imagine it now. Vividly.
“Well, next time, you can pick,” Emberleigh concedes. “We’ll all endure a Hollywood director romance.”
“If only I could find one,” McKenna says.
“You’re living one,” Winona says, a huge smile on her face.
“Speaking of which …” McKenna smiles over at me. “Sorry. I wanted to tell you first, but then my whole family was there. And then you had farrowing … and orientation.”
I don’t have time to wonder what she’s going on about because she says, “Westley and I are getting married!”
The room is silent for a beat. Then Cass says, “Who’s going to tell her we already know?”
McKenna laughs. “I don’t mean engaged. I mean we’re having our actual wedding. Here. On Lawson ranch. Westley’s coming back to the States for a break in filming. He’ll only be here three days, but we figured why not now? My parents are thrilled. We’ll take our honeymoon when his shoot is over.”
“You’re having your wedding on the ranch?” I ask.
“Isn’t it perfect?” she asks.
“It’s … wonderful.” I smile at her.
Lawson ranch is the perfect location for McKenna’s wedding. And Cody will be there—right in the heart of it all. I smile at my best friend as the rest of our friends pepper her with questions about timing and logistics.
We settle into our chairs, the familiar warmth of lifelong friendships wrapping us in comfort. McKenna continues to beam after her announcement.
Daisy picks up the novel we’ve been reading. “Okay, girls. We don’t just come to book club for the baked goods.”
“Speak for yourself,” I tease, taking a bite of my cookie.
Emberleigh and Sydney smile over at me.
“Let’s talk about this story,” Daisy says. “Who wants to start?”
“I’m really happy for you,” I quietly say to McKenna.
“Thanks. Are you good bumping up your maid of honor duties a bit?”
“Of course.” We’ve planned on being one another’s maid of honor since we found out what that role even was.
She reaches over, placing her hand on my forearm and giving me a soft squeeze. “I knew you’d say yes, but hearing it completes everything.”
I smile back at my best friend.
