Am I not enough?the most insecure part of me wondered as Connor kissed Brenna’s cheek before she claimed the island’s third barstool. Connor was always enough for me, but unless it was a casual one-on-one hangout, I didn’t seem enough for him. He was a more-the-merrier guy.
“Hey!” someone called, making me blink. “Katie said I might find you in here.”
I looked over to see Bridesmaid Meredith pushing through the swinging door. Arthur and Francine jumped up on the mudroom’s pony door and began barking and wagging their tails wildly, excited by a new voice. Meredith laughed. “Hello there,guys,” she cooed. “I’ll introduce myself in a sec…” She turned to me. “Everyone’s making their exodus for the night.”
“Ah, shoot,” I said. “I should say some goodbyes.”
“I wouldn’t worry,” Meredith said before I could hop off my stool. “Katie, Austin, and your parents have it handled.”
“Oh, okay.” It felt strange not being included, but then again, it wasn’t my party. I technically wasn’t a host. “Well, it was really nice to meet you.” I smiled. “I’m excited for Katie’s bridal shower.”
Thankfully, that was who-knew-how-many months away.
Under the island, Connor knocked my knee, as if to say,Liar, liar, pants on fire!
I was literally complaining to anyone who would listen about being a bridesmaid. Maid of Honor Amanda had shown us some dress ideas from Katie’s Pinterest and talked about everyone shopping together since most of us lived on the East Coast.
Now, Meredith waved away my goodbye. “Save it for tomorrow, Mads,” she said. “We’re all headed back to Katie’s house for a slumber party!”
My spine straightened.
A slumber party? Like a sleepover?
I opened my mouth, then closed it, not trusting myself to not say what I wanted to say:Who is responsible for this invitation?
Had it been Katie’s idea? Or was this Meredith’s assumption?
“She’s really flattered, but she can’t,” Connor answered for me. “She has field hockey tomorrow.”
“Field hockey?” Bridesmaid Reese said, joining us at theisland. Katie’s cousins were behind her. “It’s February. Isn’t field hockey a fall sport?”
“She plays on a club team,” Marco and Connor said simultaneously, with Connor adding, “And it’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.”
I elbowed him. He was both quoting and mocking me.
“Practice isn’t until tomorrow afternoon, though.” Austin set a pile of dirty dishes on the counter. “I double-checked with Da,” he said, “and Kates really wants you to come.”
But can’t “Kates” tell me that herself?I thought.
“Plus, I kinda told Sam she could have your bed,” he said.
I pretended to groan. “Austin!”
He laughed, seeing right through me. Our parents and I’d missed Samira; her RSVP to the party had been the best news.
Austin slipped off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirtsleeves, and told Marco to take a break and enjoy the leftovers. He’d take over dishwashing duty.
“Come on, Mads!” Meredith called from the mudroom. My family’s dogs could not get enough of her. “It’ll be so much fun!”
My stomach twisted. “Alright, alright,” I agreed, forcing a smile as I slid off my barstool. Because honestly, how could I have said no? “Let me go pack a bag…”
***
Katie’s childhood home was twenty-five minutes away, but I’d only been there twice. Once for the Gallants’ annual New Year’sEve open house, and once for Katie’s business school graduation party. It was walking distance from Nassau Street, Princeton’s main drag, and absolutely massive. Limestone with a hulking black front door. “Brand-new,” Realtor Dad liked to say, “but built to look like an antique.”
It wasn’t our style, but damn, was it a gorgeous property, with its pebbled driveway and landscaping. Every box hedge was impeccably trimmed and stood at attention, and I imagined flowers lining the flagstone front walk come spring.
“Welcome, girls!” Katie’s mom ushered us inside with a bright smile on her face. “It’s so wonderful to have you—oh, Wit.” She noticed Meredith’s husband among us. Stephen Witry, who I’d picked up was “Wit” to everyone but his wife. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
