Page 25 of Beg Me

Gianna and I glance at each other, trying not to grin. This is the most Astrid shit ever.

“I love the pink paper,” Audrey says. “And you named it the Whimsy List.”

She, Gianna, and Astrid exchange a smile. Mira and I are clearly confused, but neither of us asks for clarification. It’s okay for the three of them to share something special. And whatever this is, it’s one of those special things.

“Since we’re on a tight schedule,” Astrid says, “I thought it would be easier to assign each one of us a portion of the wedding to manage—with Audrey’s input, of course.”

“This chicken is amazing,” I say, swallowing a bite.

Audrey places her wineglass on the table. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle. I’ve never seen her this happy.

“I can answer a few of these things now,” she says. “The color is pink. If we need two shades, let’s do two pinks.” She giggles. “Blush and bashful.”

“Nice Steel Magnolias reference,” Gianna says.

“I would love carnations because I think they’re such a throwback, and no one uses them anymore,” Audrey says. “And Brooks is working on his part of the guest list. I’ll go over it when I get home and let you guys know the final count. But it’s not going to be a big deal. My parents, his mom, you guys, some people from church, and some guys from the gym. I’d say fifty, tops.”

Gianna holds up a hand. “Let’s get to the good stuff—meaning, what do you want to do for the bachelorette party, or do you want me to use my creative skills?”

Audrey winces. “I don’t want one.”

“Boo!” Mira says.

“I know, but we don’t have a ton of time, and we all have stuff we’re doing,” she says, looking around the table at each of us. “Gianna’s buying a house. Astrid’s still getting settled here.”

“And should be planning her own wedding,” Gianna says before taking an elbow from Astrid.

“Markie has the pickleball tournament a week after the wedding,” Audrey says. “I don’t need a party. Let’s skip it, okay?”

I sit back in my seat and smile across the table at her. With her blond hair and pink ribbon holding it back from her face, she looks like the angel she is.

“Fine,” Gianna says, growling. “But I want it on the record that I don’t love this.”

“How’s the pickleball going?” Audrey asks me. “The last time we talked, you were still searching for a teammate.”

“Oh, by the way,” Gianna says. “I’m making shirts for the tournament. We need a good slogan for Team Markie, so hit me up if you have any zingers.”

I take another bite before answering Audrey. Gosh, this is so good. But the pause also gives me a second to let my heart stop swelling. I love how serious they take my competitiveness. It can get a little excessive, I know, but it is important to me—especially this year. I wouldn’t blame them if they rolled their eyes when it came up in conversation. But, instead, they’re making shirts.

How’d I get so lucky?

“I found a great guy named Adam,” I say, returning my sandwich to the plate. “We have our first official practice on Saturday.” My stomach tightens. “I do hate that we essentially lost a week because he worked overtime and couldn’t practice all week, but he’s good. I’ll have to carry him a little, but don’t I always?”

“You are a beast,” Mira says. “Jasper won’t know what hit him.”

“Hopefully a pickleball to the nuts.” Gianna’s eyes narrow. “He tried to talk to Drake the other night at Patsy’s while they were both ordering a beer, and Drake blew him off.” She grins wickedly. “I, in turn, blew him later on that night.”

Mira points at her. “As you should.”

“I’m gonna stop blowing him if he doesn’t ask me to marry him soon,” Gianna says, pouting. “I keep thinking with all the marital talk with Audrey and Astrid that he’ll realize, shit, I need to lock Gianna down, too. But that hasn’t happened yet.”

“He’s probably waiting for the right time to surprise you,” I say. “I bet he has a plan and a ring.”

I bite my lip to keep from saying anything else because I don’t just think Drake has a ring. I know he does. He sent me a picture of three rings a month ago and asked me which one I thought Gianna would like. He said not to tell the other girls, so I haven’t, but it’s been hard.

“Since the rehearsal dinner is really the only thing in the pre-event section, let me handle that,” Mira says. “If we don’t include Cathy in this, she’ll be heartbroken.” She looks at Audrey. “I mean, if you’re okay with that, of course.”

After a few back-and-forths and three bottles of wine, Mira and I take on the pre-events, Astrid declares herself the wedding coordinator, and Gianna and Nettie take on the reception.