Still, despite my nerves, I make my way to the door.
Cora’s already smiling when I open the door.
“Hey, you ready to go?” she asks, sounding way too chipper.
“This is a horrible idea,” I blurt out.
Cora studies me for a moment and then tilts her head back and laughs. Only when she’s gotten herself back under control does she speak.
“Girl, you have nothing to be nervous about. You’ve met Grace before, and Emery and Peyton are all nice. They won’t bite unless you ask them to. Trust me.”
Shutting my eyes, I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. The memory of how excited Wyatt got when he realized I would be hanging out with all of them rushes through my head. He lit up like the Fourth of July. I have to do this. I can’t let my insecurities get the better of me.
“Okay, you’re right.” I sigh as I grab my purse that I sat next to the door earlier.
After shutting the door behind me, I follow Cora to her car and get inside.
“Seriously though, you have nothing to be nervous about. All we are doing is going thrifting and maybe grabbing some lunch. It will be low-key,” she says as she starts to drive.
“Okay, what do I need to know about them?”
“Well, you know Grace. She is the sweetest person you have ever met. Then you have Peyton. She is Grace’s best friend and my former roommate. She’s married to Beckett. You should ask her about how they got married. It’s a crazy story. Then last but not least you have Emery. I don’t know her as well, but she’s sweet. She’s a figure skater and has a baby with Brett. They aren’t married yet but might as well be. She hangs out with us, but not as much because she is getting back into shape to go to the Olympics.”
“Oh wow. That is amazing. So she just had a baby and is going to go back?” I ask.
“Yep. She has goals, and Brett is all about making them happen for her.”
“He sounds like a good boyfriend,” I murmur.
“He is. Trust me, you are going to love them too. Peyton and Emery fit in as much as Grace does. I know they are going to love you too. You are like the missing piece of the puzzle our girl group needed,” she says as we pull into the thrift shop. “Oh look, that’s Peyton’s car. I’ll park next to her.”
Cora pulls into a parking spot next to a blacked-out Ford Bronco.
“Come on, they are probably inside, already waiting for us.” She jumps out of the car as soon as she puts it into park. I take my time getting out, making sure the door doesn’t come close to hitting the Bronco.
As we walk toward the thrift shop, I have to actively remind myself that it’s going to be fine. I know Grace. Not well, but I know her. Surely she and Cora wouldn’t hang out with women who weren’t like them.
“Hey, you made it!” Grace says as soon as we step inside.
I hang back while Cora hugs all three women. All too soon they turn their attention to me.
“Guys, this is Wyatt’s girl, Lyla. Lyla, this is Emery, Peyton, and you know Grace,” Cora says, pointing at each woman.
Grace steps forward and pulls me into a hug. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You too,” I murmur.
When she steps back, I see Peyton and Emery studying me.
“She’s cute,” Peyton says after a moment.
Emery nods. “I can see why Wyatt picked her. They would make cute babies.”
My eyes widen at their words, making all the women bust out laughing.
“Relax, we’re just teasing,” Peyton says.
“Sorry, I had to. I couldn’t help myself. It’s nice to meet you,” Emery adds.
