“Yeah, thanks babe,” Shaeadded.
“No problem.” He winked at Keira and disappeared down the hallway. Shae almost asked him to come back. She could ask him some questions about his recent work trip. Get the latest updates from the world of pyrotechnics. Anything to stop the inevitable conversation she knew she was going to have with Keira and then with the rest of the girls when they showed up. Of course, Keira dove rightin.
“So? How are youfeeling?”
Shae sighed and let her shoulders drop. “I don’t evenknow.”
“Well, two dates in a week is pretty good, so clearly you don’t hate him.” She set down the bag on the table and surveyed its contents, her face lightingup.
“Yeah, chocolate chip cookie sundaes. A crowd favorite,” Shaesaid.
“Your cookies are the best. I know that sounds gross, but I stand by mystatement.”
“I am good at what Ido.”
“Okay, so talk to me. You were panicking the other day. You saw him last night and I’m assuming you didn’t kick him to the curb,” Keira said as she shoved the vanilla ice cream in their already packedfreezer.
“No. Absolutely not. I like him alot.”
“But…?”
The sound of the doorbell saved Shae from having toanswer.
“Let me grabthat.”
“’Kay.” Shae hung tight while Keira went to open the front door. Part of her wanted to text Aidan just to see what he was up to. Which should have made complete sense. She did like him, a lot. When you like someone, you can text them whenever. She reached into her back pocket to pull out her phone right as Erica, Sarah, Joanna and Meegan all came spilling into the room. Shae was swallowed up with hugs and hellos and repeated confirmations that she had indeed brought a fresh bakeddessert.
Erica was complaining about her boss’s perfume and Shae was totally on board with that thread of conversation, but Sarah—the traitor—turned to her, eyes bright withexcitement.
“Erica, I care. I really do, but Shae is now dating a super hot dude and I want details.” She spun around and grabbed Shae by the shoulders. “Okay, let’s hear it. You. The hot boy. Let’s hearit.”
“Yeah. Dish, dish, dish,” Joannasaid.
“And then show us the nudes,” Meeganadded.
“Um, no. Let’s see. We’ve been on two dates since last I’ve seen you all. Both dates were very fun. He’s very sweet. I told you he dropped by the store withflowers.”
“But have you fucked him yet?!” Meeganwhined.
“We had adult intercourse last night. It was great. I’m not saying anything more than that and no, I’m not showing you the nudes. I already deleted them.” Which was alie.
“Ah, man!” Meegan and Erica bothsaid.
“We’re going out again this week.” She didn’t mention that she’d invited Aidan to Friendsmas Eve ’cause she knew they’d take that as a sign that she was developing feelings she wasn’t sure of yet. She'd casually mention it in the group chat a couple days before. “Enough about me. Someone’s getting married in less than two weeks.” She turned to Keira and flashed her a bright smile. “Let’s focus on thebride.”
“Eeeee!” Meegan squealed. “Are youexcited?”
“Yeah,I—”
“Oh um, I still haven’t found a dress,” Erica confessed. Keira only asked that the bridal party wear silver, but the plus-size selection in silver formal wear ranged from something close to a skintight mini dress to clearly-mother-of-the-bride matronly. Luckily Shae knew just where toshop.
“Here. I got you covered.” She pulled up her phone and brought up the XXI And UP website. “They have three similar styles in silver. I got this one.” She showed Erica a long sleeve, knee length sequin dress. Then clicked over to a similar floor length dress with spaghetti straps and a sexy slit that rose to mid thigh. “Get thisone.”
Erica grabbed Shae’s phone out of her hand. “Oh my god, that’s perfect. I’m texting this to myself rightnow.”
As the wedding chatter continued, Shae filled her chili bowl and faded into the background. Keira’s upcoming nuptials were important. Shae’s confounding stress about Aidan was not. She just had to sort out the butterflies from the rabid zombie reindeer and once she did, she knew everything would befine.
?
