The table goes silent. Bess’s head snaps toward me. “What? Since when?”
I hide a smile, looking down at my plate. “Since the speed dating night you insisted I attend.”
“Oh my God! You met someone!”
I laugh, feeling a bit lighter. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Who?” Bess demands, her excitement bubbling over. “Tell me all the deets.”
I know my expression has gone soft and gooey, but I don’t even care. “Josh.”
“Josh who?” Rose asks, her tone sharp with curiosity. The entire table leans in, suddenly fixated on my love life.
“Josh Greenfeld.”
The table falls silent again, but this time the women exchange knowing glances.
I frown, glancing between them. “What?”
“You’re dating Pete’s brother?” Hayley asks, her tone dripping with scepticism.
“Yeah. We caught up again since he’s in town, and things just…” I shrug, smiling despite the tension at the table. “We’re seeing how it goes.”
“Well, it won’t last very long,” Katherine Burrows mutters from across the table, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
“Excuse me?” I lift my head, narrowing my eyes.
Hayley raises her wine glass, her lips curving into a smug smile. “You’re not exactly known for your staying power. And Josh is a red-blooded man with access to the A-list. He’s not going to settle for…” She trails off, her gaze dropping pointedly to my stomach.
Heat flushes my cheeks, and I drop my head, swallowing hard against the sting of her words.
“Oh, shut your pie hole, Hayley. You’re just jealous because he rejected you in college,” Bess snaps, her voice cutting through the tension like a whip. “And that goes for you too, Katherine. They’ve been dancing around each other for years. Everyone saw it. It’s not our fault that you’re too stupid to notice when a man is hung up on a woman.”
Hayley’s face flushes a deep red, and she opens her mouth to protest, but Bess holds up a hand, cutting her off.
“Shut it,” Bess orders firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “The only reason you’re even a bridesmaid is because your daddy asked my daddy. I respect my parents, and I know your dad’s business means a lot to Pete’s firm as well. But I havezeroqualms about removing you if you keep up this bitchiness.”
She turns to me, her sunny smile instantly back in place. “Babe, I’m so happy for you! He’s perfect. And you’re totally his type. Just think, if you marry him, we’ll be sisters-in-law!”
I laugh despite myself, feeling my spirits lift a little. “Don’t get your hopes up for a double wedding. We’re still working this out. It’s still new.”
“But you’retogether.” She sighs, propping her chin on her hand as her eyes drift dreamily into the distance. “You’re maid of honor, he’s the best man. It’s like a romance novel.” Then, with a wicked grin, she adds, “Have you ridden his anaconda yet?”
“Bess! Jesus!” I sputter, my face burning.
“That’s a no.”
“Okay, let’sredirectthis conversation.” I flip open the wedding booklet in front of me, desperate for a change of topic. “Wedding. Let’s talk about this wedding. What still needs doing?”
Bess groans, throwing a hand over her forehead like a damsel in distress. “Cake, band, flowers, celebrant…” She rattles off a long list of tasks, each one heavier than the last.
We agree to divide and conquer. My assignments are cake, rehearsal dinner, and wedding favors. All I need to do is create a shortlist of four options for each and let Bess make the final decisions.
Easy. Also, delicious.
“Okay.” I stand, brushing imaginary crumbs from my lap. “I have to head back to work. Hayley, if you could book the flights for Friday, I’ll organize the rest.”
I leave the restaurant, already pulling out my phone to text Josh the bad news.
