She sighs. “The hero’s BFF inPride and Prejudice, who falls in love with the heroine’s sister. Mom was determined that Katherine should find her Bingley.”
“They sound like side characters. Shouldn’t they be the hero and heroine if everyone is so fixated on them?”
“Impossible!” Lucy says, like I’ve just suggested we throw red ants rather than confetti at the wedding. “Jane and Bingley are perfect. Flawless. Just like Katherine and Ed. Main characters must have flaws, or they’re not interesting enough to sustain a reader’s attention.” She holds my gaze, like she really wants to make sure I understand her. “Anyway, our mother thinks Katherine is the perfect Jane inPride and Prejudiceand Ed, here, is the rich BFF who is going to keep her in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed.”
“She wants Katherine to marry for money?” I ask. “Like, encouraged her to be a gold digger?”
Lucy pauses for a moment. “Jane and Lizzy married for love.” Her tone is resolute. “But their husbands happened to be rich AF.”
“Maybe you’re Mr. Darcy,” Katherine says, grinning at me.
I know I’m missing something, because Lucy gives Katherine a sharp poke in the ribs with her elbow. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“And you said I wasn’t subtle,” Ed mumbles.
We’re interrupted by someone I haven’t been introduced to. Katherine and Ed are swept away by the woman, leaving me with Lucy.
“You’re drunk,” she says.
I shrug. “You’re beautiful.”
She doesn’t respond, just watches as Ed and Katherine cross the lawn.
Usually telling a woman she’s beautiful will change the game. I’m not saying it turns all women to mush, but it usually wins them over a little. And it’s no lie—Lucy is most definitely beautiful. She has a smattering of freckles across her nose and green eyes with amber edges. Her hair is long and fans over her shoulders on both sides, catching on the buttons of her dress, like a trickle of water between her breasts.Shit. My dick twitches. I stand up from where I was leaning on the table and stumble. Lucy snaps her head around.
“You’rereallydrunk. Do you think you should go back to your hotel?” Her eyes flash with panic.
“I’m okay,” I say. “Maybe I’ll get a glass of water.”
“Maybe I’ll get you a cab.”
“I’m not leaving,” I snap. “Ed is my best friend. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, much better to stay and start falling over. Maybe you can feel up his great-aunt Mildred. That would be perfect.”
“You’re uptight,” I say.
“That’s funny,” she says. “And here I thought I was beautiful.”
A surge of nausea hits me square in my stomach, and I grip the table. “I think maybe ...” I pause, wondering whether I’m going to have to take a seat on the grass rather than fall.
Lucy pulls out her phone. “Where are you staying? Harbor Inn?”
I nod, unable to argue with her. My stomach is churning, and the people at the party have all started to sway. That last glass of tequila has really hit home.
“Come on,” she says. “I’ll make sure you get into the Uber.”
She threads her arm through mine, and I don’t object. I can’t. I’m clearly way too drunk for a daytime party like this one. I should have given myself a two-drink limit. Lucy smells like rose petals and something I can’t quite place. Somehow it settles my stomach a little, and we manage to navigate to the front of the house without me falling on my ass.
“I need to tell Ed,” I say.
“I’ll say you had to go.”
“He’s my best friend.” He’s more than that. He’s the guy who saved me from a lifeless career behind a desk, working for someone else. He’s my business partner.
“Okay,” Lucy says. “I’ll make sure to tell him he’s your best friend.”
Lucy speaks to the Uber driver, who’s just pulled up, and bundles me inside.
