“Yeah.” I nodded, anxious to change the subject. “Are you going to Dave and Katie’s wedding?”
“Fuck no! Dave’s dead to me. You know that. I lost him in the friend divorce, and good riddance. I don’t like dudes who steal girlfriends.” Ryan jerked his chin at me. “You know I think you’re better off, though. Katie was a nightmare. Maybe this weekend will be good for you.”
“I don’t know. The wedding’s super fancy. I’m pretty sure her family’s loaded. She’s renting me a tux.”
“Does she know about you?” He meant the fact that my own family was wealthy and that I had a whopping trust fund, which I pretended didn’t exist, and that I used to work at a super-intense brokerage firm and had made mid-six figures a year before I quit.
I shook my head. “Nah. She just thinks I’ll make good arm candy.”
Ryan grinned. “I hope it’s awesome.”
“You never know.” I threw another dart and missed the target by a mile. “It’ll be better than sitting around here all weekend in any event.”
He hit the bull’s-eye. “Amen to that.”
Later, when I was in bed, my mind wandered. Katie and Dave were getting married this weekend. It was so crazy. The three of us had been friends throughout our twenties. Katie and I had been on double dates with Dave and each of his girlfriends. I’d always assumed he would be one of my groomsmen. But when I quit my job and told Katie that I wanted to change the direction of my life, she had jumped ship faster than a rat on the Titanic.
She’d headed right to Dave, the nearest life raft. He’d bought her one of those designer bags, and they were engaged within six months.
I rolled over and pulled the pillow over my head. This was all such old news. I literally never wanted to think about it again. I tossed and turned. Then I got yet another text from Katie.
Katie: I need to hear from you. I just need you to forgive me. Can you do that?
Grr. My ex was the ultimate puppet master. Until the bitter end, she wanted to know that she could get me to do what she wanted. I almost texted back that she could go to hell, but that would just create drama. And Katie loved her drama. That was the one thing she’d had in common with my mother.
Bob: Of course I forgive you! Congratulations!
It was the first time I’d texted her back in a year.
My phone pinged again. “Oh, for fuck’s sake!”
Madison: Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! It’s totally crazy that we’re doing this, but I’m so glad you said yes. :) We’re going to have fun!
I stared at the ceiling. Ryan was right—fun would be good. I could handle some fun.
But I still fell asleep wondering what on earth I’d signed up for.
Chapter Four
MADISON
I c
alled Josie on my way to Winter Hill. “Guess what?”
“You got abducted by aliens and don’t have to go to the wedding? And you’re coming for me, so I don’t have to go either?”
I giggled. “No, silly! I found a date! And he’s super hot!”
“Really?” Josie squealed. “Who is it?”
“My UPS guy, Bob. Do you remember Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles?” It was my turn to squeal. “That’s who he looks like—but with a broader chest!”
Dead silence filled the line.
“Are you there?”
“Um… you’re bringing your UPS guy to the wedding?”