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"I'll toast to that." Jacqui laughed, thinking about how even though the boys had given her an ultimatum, behind each other's backs, they were still trying to sneak some time alone with her-- each had taken the "showdown" to mean she would choose him. This insanity had to end before someone really got hurt. And at that very moment, Jacqui made her decision.
They spent the night helping Eliza with the fabric, pinning up a few patterns, acting as fit models for a few of the outfits, and dancing around the room to Gwen Stefani's newest album. Even if the boys were being a pain, it was a comfort to know they could always count on each other.
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she's just not that into you
THROWING A SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY PARTY FOR TWO PEOPLE on the brink of divorce was harder than Jacqui had assumed. Especially when one's love life wasn't turning out to be so great either. It was time for the three-ring circus to stop, and when Duffy invited her for a sunset ride in the golf cart one afternoon, she saw a chance to clean the slate. They had parked near the spot where they had first tumbled out of it and kissed.
"You look so serious," Duffy chided after Jacqui told him she needed to tell him something important.
"I've got some bad news," she said gently, brushing the sand from her jeans.
"It's not me, is it?" he asked.
"It's not you," Jacqui said. "It's me." They both cracked up at the cliched breakup line.
"Ah, Jacarei. We were having so much fun!" "I hope you're not mad."
Duffy grinned, the same easy grin he'd given her the first time they'd met. "How can I stay mad at such a beautiful girl?"
"Friends?" Jacqui asked, holding up her hand for a high five.
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Duffy slapped it affectionately. "Always." Jacqui exhaled. One down, two to go.
Later, back at Cupid headquarters, Eliza had procured the number of the best wedding planner in town, and that afternoon, the three of were meeting the organizer to go over the event. They had decided that the best place for the anniversary party was in the Perrys' own backyard. Georgina Perkins's office was in a simple low-slung Southampton cottage, filled with comfortable overstuffed linen couches. There were antique floral prints framed on the wall, numerous pastel chenille throws, and mismatched crockery--tasteful country chic.
"So, is this for your parents?" the high-strung blond-bobbed Martha Stewart doppelganger asked, opening up her massive black appointment binder.
"No," Jacqui said quickly.
"Kind of," Eliza replied.
"They're, uh, like parents to us," Mara explained with a helpful smile.
"So, you're thinking tent in the backyard, butlered hors d'oeuvres, five courses, a band, fireworks at the end?" Georgina asked, describing the typical hundred-thousand-dollar Hamptons affair.
"Oh yes." The three of them nodded eagerly.
"And a chocolate fountain. We have to have one," Eliza insisted. Her cousin had gotten married over the spring, and the
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five-foot-tall flowing chocolate extravaganza had been the hit of the evening. "It's romantic," she argued.
"That's extra," Georgina noted.
"And could we have the steaks catered from Delmonico's?" Jacqui asked.
"Sure. But we'll have to get them from the city, so it'll be extra as well."
"Why Delmonico's?" Mara asked.
"I'll explain later," Jacqui said.