(Because Arthur and Francine? They couldn’t be trusted around unsupervised food.)
Even though my muscles screamed, I leapt out of my chair and ran back into the house. “What’s wrong?” Da asked as I raced up the stairs, my pulse also pounding.
“I have a conference call!” I shouted.
“You sound like your father!” he shouted back.
I only exhaled when I’d grabbed my MacBook and rejoined Marco. In all honesty, I probably should’ve taken the call in my room, but my stomach rumbled for food. Plus, I hadn’t seen Marco in a while. We’d texted a lot while I was away, but it wasn’t the same. I hadn’t been able to see the expressions on his face.I’m not a FaceTime guy, he’d said.
Why not?I’d asked.You were blessed with such a gorgeous face.
Stop making me blush, he responded.
And I admit, Ireallywanted to see if he was actually blushing. Marcohadcalled me flirty, and maybe if I strengthened my supposed skills now, I’d have more confidence putting myself out there if/when Ready-Set-Date resumed.
Now that Connor was taken, I was thinking about it.
“You don’t need to put in headphones,” he said now, as I started untangling an ancient pair (my AirPods were currently MIA). “I’m not a big eavesdropper.”
“Hmm.” I gave him a skeptical look. “I don’t totally believe you…”
I navigated to my Gmail and tapped on a Zoom link from Amanda Gallant, the subject line reading:Katie’s Bachelorette!
Hopefully no one minds watching me annihilate my breakfast, I thought as I hung out in the virtual waiting room.Sorry not sorry.
Personally, I thought a Zoom was unnecessary. This allcould’ve been coordinated over email. Text was apparently too tedious, because for the last few months, there had been two group chats. One that included Katie, and another that was solely the bridesmaids. Amanda had told us that all details of Katie’s bachelorette weekend were to stay in the latter thread, so the bride had no idea where we were off to party for three days.
But then Paige had accidentally sent a Charleston Airbnb link to the chat with Katie.
After that epic fail, Reese had proposed the Finger Lakes in upstate New York.We can rent a house on the lake, follow a wine trail, maybe even rent a pontoon boat…
“Welcome, everyone,” Amanda said now, as if commencing a corporate America meeting. “I hope you are all doing well!”
“I promise I’m listening,” Paige replied. The screen switched to her; she was looking down at her tablet. “But I have to finalize this romance cover. It’s due tomorrow.”
I had to swallow a giggle when I caught Amanda roll her eyes. But she didn’t outright comment. “We’re about a month out from the Finger Lakes, so I wanted to touch base on logistics.”
Logistics, I thought.This definitely could’ve been an email.
“You’ll be getting an email,” Amanda said, “with all this information, but I thought it would be best to discuss it together…”
“Keep talking, Amanda,” a male voice said when she trailed off. “I’m on the edge of my seat.”
“Stephen!” Meredith exclaimed as the bridesmaids broke into laughter. “You said you were going food shopping.”
“You haven’t texted me the list,” her husband replied smoothly.
“You could’ve texted me to text you the list,” Meredith countered.
“Well, I wanted to say hello.” Wit appeared onscreen, impossibly turquoise eyes sparkling and sandy hair wind whipped. “Hi, ladies.”
Across the table, Marco waved his arm to get my attention.Should I say hello, too?he mouthed as everyone warmly chorused, “Hi, Wit!”
I gave Marco the middle finger.
So much for not eavesdropping!
“Okay, I’ve secured the house,” Reese said once Meredith had kicked Wit out of the room. “It’s right on Seneca Lake, and absolutely gorgeous.”
