A grin tugged at my lips.
She was too smart to hide anything from.
“You caught me. John and I are hooking up.”
Her smile grew wide as she giggled, knowing that wasn’t possible, for many reasons.
1. I would never betray my best friend.
2. The last man’s lips to hit mine had been Colin’s.
“Seriously though—” Her face drained of color. “Ohmygod, is he going to propose?”
Dammit.
I put my head in my hands. There was no surprising this girl.
She squealed so loud that everyone stopped their lunch and stared at her.
Pulling my head from my hands, I looked at her. “Dammit, Julie, why can’t you just leave things be? Why do you have to play detective?” I snapped, tossing an edamame bean at her face. She dodged it and chewed her lip, bouncing in her seat, grinning.
“When is he doing it? Is the ring big? I mean I don’t care … I love him either way, but I’ll bet it’s big.”
A smirk pulled at my lips. “I’m not saying shit.” I crossed my arms.
Julie scowled behind her lo mein. “Excuse me? Best friend? Youwilltell me so I can make a waxing appointment and be sure to wear a sexy dress that night.”
She was right. No one wanted to have hoo-hah stubble on the night they got engaged.
I sighed. “Fine. Tomorrow night on your four-year anniversary and youbetterfucking act surprised.”
She bopped up and down in her chair, eyes alight with joy. “Itotallywill. Super surprised. So, it’s big right? Because these bitches at work all married surgeons and have rocks the size of cars on their hand.”
I chuckled. John was a corporate litigation attorney, junior partner at the firm. It was big.
“It’s decent.”
Her face fell. “Decent is fine. I just love him.”
Laughter pealed out of me. “Girl, it’s huge. You’re going to have to hire a bodyguard to walk you to your car.”
“Really?” Her face lit up again, and for the first time in a long time happiness exploded in my chest.
For like five minutes, I’d forgotten about Colin. I’d forgotten that I was a tragic twenty-seven-year-old widow. I’d allowed Julie’s happiness to makemehappy. But then my fingers came around the chain at my throat, the place where Colin and my ring hung together right over my heart.
Julie noticed the shift in my face. “Mill, I know this must be hard for you. The one-year anniversary of Colin’s death is tonight and with my—”
I sighed deeply. “And nothing. We’re going to get shitfaced and watch Netflix and I’mfine.”
She nodded. “Yes, we are, but it’s okay if you’re having a hard time with me and John…”
I waved her off. “I’m not. I’mreallyhappy for you. He’s amazing … for a Republican.”
We both laughed at that, and then the conversation navigated to equally choppy but different waters.
“So … closing the cupcake shop?” She winced and looked down at the paperwork stack that I had perched at the edge of the counter.
We hadn’t really talked about my business failure much. I didn’t want to bethatfriend, the friend that constantly complained or cried or was depressed. No one wanted to hang out withthatfriend. John had been nice enough to get me out of my three-year lease agreement without having to get evicted for non-payment. For that I was grateful.
