I was only a few chapters in when my mind started wondering about other things. I couldn’t get my conversation with Drea out of my head since I’d left the bookstore.
She’d been trying to set me up with this one friend of hers since we’d met and I didn’t know why. What was so special about her? Who was she? Should I just agree to meet with her? I mean, it couldn’t hurt, but I just wasn’t interested, at least not in her.
Drea was right, though, I did want to settle down someday, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger. I was almost thirty, and while that was still very young to some people, it wasn’t to me.
My parents were twenty-two when they had me, and my abuela was nineteen when she had my mother. I knew thatdidn’t mean I had to follow in their footsteps, and I hadn’t, but I also did want to settle down and start a family someday soon.
For some reason, my conversation with Drea made me think of Cara. I had this silly idea that she would’ve been happy to see me. I thought our night together was special and more than a one night thing, at least, that’s what I was hoping. But judging from her reaction to seeing me again, I was wrong.
From the moment I saw her, I was captivated. She looked absolutely stunning in her red dress, and even though I could only see her eyes, I knew every part of her was magnificent. I wanted to get to know the woman underneath the mask. She carried herself like someone who was confident in her skin, and that was extremely sexy to me. She knew what she wanted. And what she didn’t.
I shook my head. I had to stop thinking about her. Clearly, she wasn’t a fan of mine. I returned back to my book with a sigh, trying to get back to a love story that was actually possible.
Chapter Six
CARA
It had been a week since I had first run into Vera again, and to say I was avoiding her was an understatement.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still a little hurt. I know the basic protocol for a one-night-stand was to leave the next morning and never see them again, but not even a goodbye? Not even a, “Hey, so this was fun?”
When I came into the office, I’d breathe a sigh of relief when I didn’t see the construction team outside the building yet. Eloise would try to pry and ask if I’ve talked to her, and my answer was always the same. “No, El. Don’t you have work to get back to?” She’d roll her eyes but leave it alone until the next day.
“Hey, doll! I wasn’t expecting a call from you today. Is everything okay?”
Blair’s laugh filtered through on the other end, and I smiled at the sound. She’d been doing that a lot in the recent years. I still patted myself on the back for making her and Drea work together again. I knew if I forced them together they’d hit it off. I just hadn’t anticipated they’d get along well enough to be getting married.
“Yes, babe. Everything’s fine. I just wanted to check in. How’s it going?”
I blew out a breath. “It’s going about as well as can be expected. Work is kicking my ass like it does this time of year. So many releases and marketing for those releases. But I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. They’ve also started constructionoutside the building, so that’s been fun. Anyway, how’s my best friend? How’s the wedding planning going?”
She hummed sweetly, like she did anytime we talked about her relationship with Drea. “It’s amazing, but stressful. Drea’s not being any help.”
“That is a load of horsehit, love!” Drea’s British, foul language came through the phone and I had to stifle a laugh. She may have been posh and filthy rich, but she had the mouth of a sailor. I adored her so much.
“I told you to choose whatever you like. I just want to marry you, darling. I don’t care what color the tables are, or who’s there. As long as it’s me and you, and no clothes aftward—ouch!”
I laughed, knowing Blair had gotten embarrassed and playfully swatted at Dre. “You two are ridiculous.”
Blair’s irritated voice came back in my ear. “Sheis the ridiculous one. I can’t make all the decisions myself!”
“You’re not, B. You have me, and Drea.”
“That’s right, love. You do have me, and you will for the rest of our lives. I love you and I want to marry you, whether our flowers all match or not. I will be happy with whatever you want. As long as I get to see you walk down the aisle to me, I will be the happiest woman in the world.”
There was a sniffle and a short pause. The sniffle being from me. “Damn, Dre. Almost dying made the sentimental part of your brain turn on, huh?” I joked to cover my sadness.
While I was eternally happy for both of my friends, I was jealous, too. I wanted a love like that. I wanted someone to look at me the way Drea looked at Blair. I wanted to come home to someone and have them love me in the way they loved each other.
Blair came back and shook me from my sad spiral. “That is not funny, Cara Brianne! I really wish you two would stop making jokes about it. I still don’t find them funny. Can we moveon, please? Cara, do you have a date for the wedding yet? It’s in a few months, and I need to know who you’re bringing. We need to start telling the caterers and everyone else how many to expect.”
I groaned. She had been asking me about my date—which I didn’t have—any chance she got. I didn’t know why I couldn’t go alone, but anytime I tried that, she’d mention someone she knew who she could ask to go as my date, like I was a pathetic loser who needed a pity date. I didn’t want to think about how close I was to agreeing.
“You know, Drea knows a few people from the store. Farrah’s a little young, but she’s cute. Or what about Cecily, Alexis’ older sister? She’s single, and I heard?—”
“I have a date!” I blurted out. I didn’t, but I was tired of her trying to set me up with someone.
She gasped and I groaned. Shit. “You do? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? That’s amazing! Who is she? Where did you meet her? Are you dating? Keeping it casual? Are you paying her? Because, sweetie, while I love you and I’m not here to judge, we can find you a real date so you don’t have to pay a hooker. Shut up, Dre!”
