Or perhaps the urgency part existed only in my head, but it sure seemed that way from across the table when I sensed Cooper’s and Nolan’s eyeballs burning into the side of my head.
Just don’t look over there.
You’ve done a good job. A pretty good job, considering the circumstances.
Just. Don’t. Look.
And, of course, I looked. Because why not torture me even more?
And, of course, they looked right back at me like I knew they would.
Cooper started to wave, but I turned quickly enough to pretend I didn’t see him.
Honestly, though, hurting his feelings didn’t worry me one bit. I wasn’t worried about Nolan’s, either. Just like they hadn’t given a damn about me or my reputation all those years ago when they’d thrown me right under the bus and backed up over me again for good measure.
“Thank you for such a nice evening.” I leaned in and kissed Chet on his cheek. “It was so nice to catch up with you. I guess I’ll see you when it’s time to walk down the aisle.”
Yes, it was a little flirtier than I’d intended. But the big smile on Chet’s face at least soothed my conscience from being a less-than-wonderful conversationalist over dinner. And if that little display of friendly affection happened to make Cooper or Nolan jealous, then all the better, as far as I was concerned.
“Did you want to go out for coffee after this?” Chet gave me a hopeful look as I stood up to leave. “I know a great place not far from here. I can drive us.”
“That’s sweet, but I think it’s still raining pretty hard out there.” The sound of it pounding on the roof carried clearly. “Thank you, though. I think the girls and I are going to unwind in our bungalows and call it an early night.”
I honestly didn’t have a plan for the rest of the night, but it happened to be a convenient excuse and was probably pretty close to the truth.
Muriel, Jasmine, and I had been so close since we’d graduated high school that we practically lived in each other’s pockets. This worked out well since we all had real, adult responsibilities to wake up to most days. So it wasn’t like we needed a special trip or any real excuse to stay out late partying or chatting with each other.
Chet sighed but continued to smile, so I hoped he wasn’t too disappointed. “In that case, I’ll be content knowing I’ll see you again at the wedding tomorrow.” He chuckled. “When we can walk down the aisle together.”
“You’ll be the only man to be able to claim that for a nice, long time.”
“You never know.”
I didn’t even muster a reply to that, but in my mind, I said a hard no.
“Poppy!” My younger sister’s voice rang out across the banquet hall as everyone else started standing up to leave, and in time to save me from saying anything awkward to Chet. Even more awkward than everything I’d already said, which would have been quite an accomplishment. “Poppy! Over here!”
I threw Chet an apologetic smile and got the hell away from that end of the table.
“Calm down, Prue.” I gave my sister a quick hug and steered her toward the door, where Jas and Muriel were already waiting for me. “You were waving me down so hard it looked like you were trying to land a plane over here.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know how you are, and I didn’t want to chase you down in the rain if you slipped out of here without telling anyone.”
Which was... fair. I would totally have skipped out thirty minutes earlier if it’d been an option.
“So, what’s up?” I ask, glossing over the whole thing about who knows who better. “Did you want to come along for some drinks with the girls and me back in one of our rooms? I didn’t check the minibar, but I’m sure we can come up with enough liquor for the four of us if we put our minds to it.”
“Tempting,” she sighs. “But no. I’m here on a mission to bring you back home for the night.”
I wrinkled my nose, picturing my parents sending her down to the rehearsal dinner with that directive.
God, I heard their voices in my mind almost as clear as if they were there. Bring Poppy home with you. Don’t take no for an answer.
“I am home.” I waved a hand in front of my sister’s face as if she was the one being difficult. “Here I am. Home. All of our hometown friends are here, too, in case you didn’t notice.”
Of course, I shouldn’t blame my sister for doing our parents’ bidding. She still lived at home and had to pick her battles.
I, on the other hand, was free to be as awkward and stubborn as I wanted. Sure, I would get a guilt trip and a lecture from my parents later, but those sorts of things were so much easier to stomach over the phone rather than in person, where there was nowhere to run and hide if the conversation turned too personal or awkward.