We’ll see about that, my Brookie. See you at six.
She shoved her phone back into her purse. Then she peered over at Aubrey who grinned at her.
Aubrey winked. “Don’t you just love the beginning part of a relationship?”
“I don’t know.” Brooke shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Usually, the middle part is the best. By then the honeymoon stage has worn off, but you still aren’t sick of each other.”
The endings, she didn’t care for those either. They often were too sad and came too soon.
Playfully, Aubrey shoved her. “Hey, Ian and I are still in the honeymoon stage, and I’m marrying him in two weeks. I love it.”
“I know.” Brooke smiled. “But some of us don’t get to live in a fantasy world where we marry the man of our dreams.”
“Maybe Logan will be your happy ending.”
“Perhaps.”
If only she knew the truth, Logan had the hots for Shelby not her. As they were only friends, she didn’t dare let herself dream about anything more even if she did like how broad his shoulders were or how he raked his hair when it fell in his eyes.
Aubrey’s phone dinged, and she fished her phone out of her purse. “Justin and Ian are a few shops down doing their tuxedo fittings.” She scrolled through the message with her pointer finger. “Looks like they’re going to stop by since it’s around the corner. Then we’re headed to dinner. Do you want to join us?”
“Is Justin going?” Brooke fidgeted with her watch, twisting it unnecessarily.
“Yes.” Aubrey nodded as she typed something into her phone, partly distracted. “But come, it could be fun?—”
“No, I’m good.” Brooke forced her hand away from her watch. “That’s the complete opposite of what I consider fun.”
Aubrey slid her phone back into her purse. “Okay. I understand.” She propped her elbow on the armrest of her chair. They sat for a minute in uncomfortable silence, because bringing up Justin always made things weird between them. She picked at a piece of lint on the front of her blouse.
“I sat Justin and you at entirely different parts of the room for the wedding reception dinner,” Aubrey said. “You only have to get through the ceremony.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll behave.” Brooke folded her arms. “Besides, Logan will be there.”
“That’s right.” The tense lines on Aubrey’s forehead loosened. “You’ll have Logan.”
Brooke patted her friend’s arm. “I won’t ruin your big day. I promise.”
“I wasn’t implying?—”
A door chimed, interrupting her. Justin and Ian entered. The door swung closed behind them. Justin caught her gaze. She rolled her eyes and darted her glance back to the center of the room. She could behave, but it didn’t mean she needed to look excited about seeing Justin. They walked over to where they sat.
“We finished the fitting.” Ian leaned down and kissed Aubrey. “Did everything go okay with the dress?” He brushed some loosened strands of Aubrey’s hair behind her ear.
They did appear to be in love. It made Brooke’s heart happy and sad at the same time. A twinge of something stung her, and she forced the feelings of inadequacy and loneliness away. Her friend found happiness. Maybe someday she’d find her person too. Isn’t that how we continued to hope or believe in love? Brooke had to lean into the hope of someone, because she didn’t want to waste her life away with bitterness.
The wedding dress attendant appeared with the long dress bag. “I have your dress right here, freshly steamed and ready to go.” She held it out to Aubrey.
Aubrey and Brooke rose to their feet.
“Thanks.” Aubrey accepted the hand off of the dress and draped it over one arm. Then she looked at Ian. “You have your car, right?”
Aubrey and Brooke had taken the L train across town to the wedding dress shop. Clearly, Aubrey had failed to mention they wouldn’t be returning together.
“Yes.” He peered over his shoulder to the exit. “The tuxedo place had a parking lot behind their shop.”
“Great.” Aubrey readjusted the dress in her arms. “Then we can drop Brooke off on the way to dinner.”
“Oh.” Brooke waved the suggestion away. “I’m fine to take the train home.”
