Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
“It is,” I agree.
It’s also one of my worst nightmares come true. This weekend will be full of them. Everyone from high school is here, and their parents. It’s like graduation night, but ten years later. Dallas is on the other side of the room, chatting with a bunch of guys from our year. I recognize all of them, and I’m sure they probably recognize me, but we weren’t friends.
I can feel the judgy stares from across the room, where Brooklyn’s friends stand in a semicircle, laughing and chatting. After prom, they all stopped talking to me. A few days later, I heard two of them in the hall saying I’d gotten what I deserved. That I was a pushy know-it-all, and they’d only tolerated me because of Brooklyn. I was too much, and they were glad they didn’t have to pretend to be my friends anymore. I take a deep breath and shove those memories aside, because they still hurt, still make me feel small and insignificant. Even though I know I’m not. Or at least I usually know I’m not…
I stand between my moms, accepting another glass of champagne as the server passes. I’m on my second, and things are blissfully soft around the edges. More tolerable. And Dallas just keeps getting hotter.
“A plaid shirt and running shoes should not look that good on a man,” I grumble into my glass. His shoes are custom made, and in team colors.
“He has interesting fashion sense. But it works for him,” Mom muses.
“I know. Sometimes he wears plaid suits and sneakers and still manages to look put together.” I sound more irritated than smitten, and at this point I’m not sure which is accurate. I’m stressed. I feel totally out of place, like the loser in the corner. I wish Shilpa was here. I wish the whole Badass Babe Brigade was here and I felt like part of something instead of being an outsider.
“It shows his personality, doesn’t it?” Ma says thoughtfully.
I make a noise of affirmation. He’s such an outdoorsy, northern-Ontario-loving guy. He’s always smiling, even when I make him do horrible things he hates. He’s been nothing but nice to me since we started this whole fake-relationship debacle. He’s spent a ridiculous amount of money on clothes, gifts, and other things he thought I might need for dates and this weekend. Every outfit he’s bought fits me perfectly and is exactly my style. And then there are the orgasms, which I will not think about right now. Shilpa’s words about getting what I need out of this turn over in my mind.
They announce that the buffet is open, but I decide to wait until the initial rush has slowed, crossing my fingers there will still be a few of Diana’s famous cheese biscuits left. She made several platters. They’re such a simple thing—Rice Krispies, sharp cheddar, and cayenne pepper—but everyone loves them and always go back for more. Dallas sampled a couple before we left for the party, and Diana rapped him on the knuckles every time he tried to sneak another one.
My moms stop to say hello to Roland March, the town’s primary real estate lawyer. I say hi, but when they immediately dive into business talk, I excuse myself and check out the buffet. I stiffen when I spot Brooklyn’s mom. I haven’t seen her in years, and I haven’t spoken to her since graduation. Thankfully, Dallas’s mom slides her arm through mine.
“Shall we grab something to eat together?”
“I don’t want to miss out on your cheese biscuits,” I admit.
She pats my hand. “I have more hidden in the freezer at home.”
“Of course you do.”
Brooklyn’s mom’s back is to us, so she doesn’t notice our approach.
“What a surprise that Wilhelmina ended up with one of the players,” she says sarcastically to the woman standing next to her.
Her friend laughs. “I guess now we know why she chose the field she did—access to all those rich men.”
Dallas’s mom stiffens beside me. “Ugly isn’t a good look on you, Carla.”
My eyes widen. I’ve never heard a harsh word out of her mouth until now. Mrs. Bright does not take anyone’s shit, apparently.
The two women spin around. “Oh! Diana, Wilhelmina, I just meant—”
Diana holds up a hand. “I know what you meant, and Dallas is lucky to have found someone as special as Wilhelmina. She’s exactly what he needs in a partner.”
I squeeze her arm as I untangle mine from hers. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room.” I turn to Brooklyn’s mom. “Congratulations. I’m sure you must be thrilled about Sean and Brooklyn’s engagement. They truly deserve each other.” I spin around before she can say anything else and make a beeline for the bathroom.
I’m only a handful of steps away from my escape when I almost collide with Sean and Brooklyn. I glance around, wishing one of my moms was with me, or even Dallas, but I’m all alone. Adulthood has leaned out the soft lines of Brooklyn’s face. I note, however, with a hint of petty glee, that Sean’s hairline is already receding.