After we eat, we all help clean up, and then the guys go to play basketball on the driveway.
I move down to sit beside Rae and across from Nova—leaving the parents to themselves.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Rae smacks my arm lightly in jest.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize. “Xander and I decided to tell our parents first, and then we figured today would be best since everybody could find out together.”
Rae nods. “Okay, that makes sense, but still—I’m your best friend, you should’ve dropped some kind of hint.”
I laugh. “The next time I get knocked up you’ll be the first to know.”
“Hey, what about me?” Nova pipes in.
“I’ll call you too—conference call style.”
“You guys need to come over and see the condo.” Rae brightens, her whole being glowing. “It’s almost ready. Do you think you guys could all come over for dinner one day to see it?”
“Yeah, of course,” I say. Getting out and spending some time in the city with my friends sounds great.
“That’ll be good with us,” Nova adds.
“Are you liking living in the city?” I ask, taking a sip of water.
“Loving it,” she answers, tucking a piece of dark hair behind her ear. “It’s so nice being able to walk out the door and having everything within walking distance. How are you liking your place?”
“It’s beautiful … but quiet.”
Rae laughs. “It won’t be quiet for much longer.”
“That’s true,” I agree, wiping the condensation off my water glass. “We need to start pinning down wedding details,” I remind Rae. “It’s going to be here before you know it. Do you have a solid date yet? I’ll start looking at venues if you do.”
“We think December second, it’s the first Saturday of the month.”
“That sounds like a good date. I’ll start looking at places and send you guys some options.”
“Thanks—I’m excited, but wedding planning is stressful.”
“That it is,” I agree. “What color are you thinking for bridesmaids dresses? Pink is a lovely color you know,” I joke.
Rae laughs and shakes her head. “No, no pink. I was thinking maybe an emerald green or purple. I haven’t quite decided yet. Why didn’t you have pink bridesmaid’s dresses?”
“Because my mom and Xander’s planned our wedding within a matter of weeks and turquoise was apparently the only color they could get.” I roll my eyes. “I don’t buy that load of bullshit for a minute, though.” I close my eyes and groan. Opening them, I say, “This whole not supposed to cuss thing is going to take some getting used to.”
Nova laughs. “You do have a potty mouth—but it’s one of the things I love most about you. You’re always so pretty and put together, but with the mouth of a sailor.”
“Um … thanks, I think.”
“It was definitely a compliment.” Nova smiles, the gesture causing her freckles to spread out.
“We need a girls’ day,” I declare suddenly, and they both groan. “Don’t even think about trying to get out of it. We haven’t done anything together in a long time thanks to how busy we’ve all been.”
“What do you have in mind?” Rae asks.
I shrug. “I’ll think of something.”
“Please don’t say shopping or nails,” Nova pleads.
My jaw drops. “But that’s fun.”