Now Ellie’s wringing her hands together, chewing on the side of her lip, looking like she might possibly flee or throw up. “You know, it’s not a big deal. I just—you looked upset, so I assumed something I shouldn’t have assumed. Why don’t we just ignore what I said and have some cronuts? I got the raspberry-filled ones.”
Speaking as evenly as I can, I say, “Ellie, I’m a borderline emotional nutcase right now. I need to know what you’re talking about or I might combust. Please, just tell me.”
She sighs and mutters, “Me and my big mouth.” She grabs her phone and starts scrolling through it while she says, “The only reason I know is because Dave told me about it and I was preparing myself for what might happen this morning. But apparently, and I don’t know when, JP sent out an email to a bunch of women asking them to be his date for the wedding.”
“What?” I ask.
Ellie hands me her phone. A screenshot from an email JP sent comes into view.
“What does it say?” Lottie asks.
“‘Hey ladieeees. Sending a big old cock of an email because, you know... I have a big cock’...” I trail off, unable to read it anymore, so Lottie takes the phone and finishes for me.
“‘So this email has to match. Here’s the thing. Hux is getting married to Lulu Lemon.’” She looks up. “Hey, why is he calling meLulu Lemon?”
“That’s what you’re worried about?” I ask as a tear escapes down my cheek. Ellie is quick to hand me a tissue.
“You’re right. Email is more important.” Lottie clears her throat. “‘And they told me I need a plus-one. Looking for a willing candidate to escort me down the aisle. All expenses paid. Promises of pleasure. If interested, hit me up. I wear condoms still. K. Bye. JP.’That motherfucker!”
“Wait, he said he still wears condoms? Why would he say that?” I ask.
“Because he’s looking for sex,” Lottie says, handing the phone back to Ellie. “When is this email from?”
Ellie shrugs. “I don’t know. I just heard it from Dave last night, and then the baby needed me.”
“Does it say on the screenshot?” I ask, my throat so tight, the words strain to fall off my tongue.
Ellie looks at the phone and then shakes her head. “That was all blacked out.”
I worry my lips as I draw my knees up close to my chest.
“Hello? Where are my babies?” Mom calls from downstairs.
I give a panicked look to Lottie, who then glances at Ellie. “Want me to distract her?” Ellie asks.
We both nod and, thankfully, she takes off and shuts the door behind her. When it clicks shut, I bury my head in my hands. Lottie sits next to me.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” Lottie asks.
“Because this is your day and I’m ruining it.”
“No, JP is ruining it. Now tell me exactly what happened last night.”
I swipe at my eyes and say, “When we got back to his place, I was all about having sex and doing all the dirty things. He was really reserved and almost standoffish. I said I was going to bed naked and he suggested I wear clothes. It was—it was weird.”
“That is weird.”
“And then, when I threw myself at him again, he saidnot tonight, and... ugh, it was humiliating. I ended up going to bed, and when I thought he’d cuddle up against me, he didn’t. I woke up this morning to an empty bed. I was humiliated and... and I don’t think he thinks I’m attractive or that he wants me anymore. Right when I was about to come over here, he showed up and walked me over. He was more loving, still a little stiff. He said he was already out this morning, so he picked me up coffee, but where was he? Was he doing something with Huxley?”
“Huxley was with me all morning.”
Tears cascade down my cheeks. “God, then I have no idea. But he did give me this really good kiss before I walked up here, but he hasn’t texted since and... I don’t know. I’ve never felt more desired than I am when I’m with him, but last night... last night, I felt foolish, and now this email.” Panic tightens my throat. “What if he sent that while we were together?”
Lottie takes a deep breath and says, “Let’s be rational about this, okay?”
I nod, even though the worst-case scenario keeps flashing through my head.
