Anyway, at least the wedding is organized, so I know that will go smoothly. Now Luke and I can go to the cabin for a night alone before our families arrive. Anticipation rushes my bloodstream at the thought of spending an entire night with Luke.
“…so he’ll just see you the morning of the wedding…”
I sigh happily, letting my mind drift off as I picture curling up in Luke’s arms, kissing his—
“Harriet!”
I startle, causing the manicurist to smudge my nail. She gives me a disapproving look and sets about cleaning it up.
“What is going on with you?” Alex demands, her eyes narrowed to slits.
My cheeks grow warm. “What?”
“I’ve just spent the past five minutes talking to you about Derek and you’ve been somewhere else the whole time.”
“Derek?”
“Your date for the wedding.”
“My date?”
“Yes!” she says, exasperated. “Remember, you asked me to find you a date for the wedding. Cat asked Derek, and now—”
“Oh. Yes. Derek.” Shit. I completely forgot about him.
“You still want to take him to the wedding, right?”
“Er, well…” I don’treallywant to take this random Derek character to the wedding, even if Luke will be there with Dena. I never wanted to take him at all, but I can’t say that now.
“Oh for God’s sake.” Alex puffs out a frustrated breath. “Why have you changed your mind?”
From the corner of my eye, I catch Geoff sending me a knowing look. For a moment I wonder what’s going through his mind, if—fuck—has he figured it out? Then I remember the conversation with him and Cat where I told them I’d been in touch with the “guy from the plane.” And I realize that maybe, if I’m careful, there is a way I could share some things with Alex.
“Okay.” I give Geoff a conspiratorial smile, then turn to Alex. “I… uh, I’ve kind of been seeing someone.”
“What?” she squeals, and Cat chuckles at her response.
A grin streaks across Geoff’s face. “I knew it! Is it your hot plane lover?”
I nod, finally letting myself beam like I’ve been wanting to all afternoon.
“Wait, what?” Alex cocks her head. “You’ve been seeing the guy you hooked up with on the plane?”
“I have,” I say cautiously. Relief rolls over me at sharing—well, if not the whole truth, some of it.
“Oh my God!” She smacks a hand on the table and the manicurist pauses, giving her a look, but Alex doesn’t notice. “Why didn’t you say something? How did this happen?”
I shrug, trying to be nonchalant. “It just kind of… happened.”
“Wait.” She sits upright, concern flickering across her face. “So youhaven’tbeen working on the wedding stuff?”
“Of course I have! That’s all sorted.”
“Oh.” She settles back in her chair, going quiet for a moment. “I guess I did notice you’d been staying out pretty late. I just figured you were at Luke’s.”
“No!” I say, a little too quickly. My pulse jumps and I stare intently at my nails as heat spreads across my neck. “I was with… Liam.”Gah! That’s too close to Luke!
“Liam,” she repeats, as if testing the name out. I glance at her in worry, but she’s grinning. “Well, tell me about him! I want to know everything.”
