“No, we did not.” I motioned for the server and ordered a mimosa, hoping it would soothe the ache in my head. I vowed never to drink again after this weekend.
I blew out a deep breath as Josie waited. “He kissed me, but then he excused himself.”
“That doesn’t sound like the kiss of death—pun intended.” She laughed at her own joke until she saw the look on my face. “Uh-oh. There’s more?”
“I went in to his room to talk
to him, but he was on the phone. With her. Not only did she fail to make it down the aisle yesterday, but all she did was call him.” I folded and refolded my napkin. I guzzled half of my drink when it arrived. “I should’ve listened to Claire.”
Josie pointed at Claire’s empty seat. “Claire’s crazy. Claire’s moving Mia in after one weekend. Do not listen to her.”
“I just wish I could meet someone.” To my horror, my eyes filled with tears. “I wish I never invited him this weekend. It was stupid, and it made me realize…” I dabbed at my eyes and finished my drink instead of my sentence. It was too freaking humiliating.
“Realize what?”
I cleared my throat. “How lonely I am.”
Josie nodded, her own eyes bright. “I know, Maddy, I know. It’s going to be all right.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“I know that, too.” She smiled at me tentatively. “Did you ask him what he thought? About the ex not getting married and calling him?”
“Of course I did. I mean, I sort of did. I was too upset to talk about it last night, and this morning, the situation seemed even more dire in the light of day. And now my mother wants to talk to him.” I scanned the room for Aileen, but she was nowhere to be found. “Crap, I hope she’s not accosting him outside.”
“It’s your mother—of course she is. But he’ll be fine. He can handle himself.” She smiled at me encouragingly. “Right?”
“Right.” I took a deep, calming breath. And so can I.
“Do you want to talk about it some more?”
“No, it’s okay. Thank you for listening to me, though. You really are the best friend a girl could ask for.” Remembering not to be completely selfish, I focused on Josie. “What’s going on with you this week?”
“I have a business trip to Idaho of all places. This small company is making the most ah-mazing matte eye shadows. They’re all over Instagram, and my company wants to launch them nationally.”
“You’re going to be spreading happy news this week.”
Josie beamed. “That’s why I love my job. What about you?”
Talking about work with Josie felt normal, and it felt good. Neither one of us had much time for a social life, but we’d both been killing it professionally. “I can’t wait to get back home and get back to the office. I forgot I have a pitch this week to get that new brokerage firm as a client.”
“The one downtown?” I nodded as Josie held her hand out for a high five. “Go get ’em!”
Remembering my normal life and the obligations back home, I perked up. I might’ve been lonely, and the weekend might’ve been a disaster, but those things were only blips. My real life was waiting for me. I was good at my real life. Being swamped at work made it easy to ignore the loneliness that had crept up on me over the weekend. I’d been reminded of how the other half lived—the half that didn’t live in their offices or fall asleep curled up with their laptops instead of their partners.
I forced myself to smile at Josie. “What time are you heading back?”
“The noon flight—ooh, are you on it?”
“I told Bob we’d take the ferry. Flying doesn’t work for him.”
Josie nodded as she hopped up. “I should get packing.” She hugged me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I will be.” I hugged her back. “Thanks for being here this weekend. Want to have dinner when you get back from Idaho?”
“Sure thing. Good luck with everything. And Maddy, if Prince Charming talks, you know, maybe you should listen.” Josie smiled and waved. “Bye!”
I waved back, letting her words sink in. But the thing was, I’d already listened.