7 Months (Time for Love 8)

Chapter Ten ~ Ming

“Sorry I’m late,” I said as I slid into the booth across from Cass and laid my Kate Spade bag gently in the seat next to me.

Once I settled in, I looked up to see Cass watching me expectantly.

“Oh, I like the new color,” I said, taking in the auburn and chestnut highlights running through her normally caramel-colored hair.

Smiling wide, she flicked a long strand of hair over her shoulder and said, “Isn’t it fabulous? I told my stylist I wanted something different, but not drastic, and she came up with this. I love it!”

“It’s gorgeous,” I assured her, envious. My hair was so dark that it wouldn’t hold color unless I bleached it, and there was no way in hell I was going to chance ruining my hair, so, black it was and black it would always be. “What does Geo think?”

“He took one look at me, then bent me over the back of the couch and had his wicked way with me.”

I barely blinked at Cass’s loud statement, even though the people next to us turned their heads our way in shock. My friend was a huge over-sharer. I was used to it.

“Did he take his pants off, or just open the zipper?” I asked, my tone even, as if I were asking about the weather rather than her husband’s sexual antics.

“Just the zipper, it was totally hot.”

The waitress came over and before she could ask for our order I said, “Maker’s neat.”

“Oh, yay! A drinking lunch,” Cass said, always game for a drinking lunch. “I’ll have a Cosmo.”

“So, the shower…” I said as an opening as I picked up my menu.

“Yeah, well, since you blew me off last week, and countless times before that, I talked to Shelly and Victoria a little bit about the shower.”

Cass looked guilty at her admission, but she was right, I had been busy, so I didn’t blame her for going around me. I mean, the baby wasn’t going to wait just because I needed more time, but still … Nonie was my best friend.

I sighed, “I’m sorry, Cass. I know I’ve been busy. I promise I’ll do better. I want to do this for Nonie.”

Cass nodded and clapped her hands together excitedly.

“Victoria had this great idea to have it at Brady’s house,” she said, and my heart sank to my stomach. “No one ever goes there, so Bronagh won’t suspect a thing. Victoria said she’s redecorating his living room, and his kitchen is pretty big, so it’ll be perfect. She’s going to talk to him, but you know, he’ll do anything for Bronagh and Brendan, so I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

I nodded absently, sad that although I’d finally get the opportunity to go to Brady’s house, it would be for the shower and not as his invited guest.

Cass was eyeing me suspiciously, so I verbalized, “Sounds good.”

“Gaby said she’ll take care of desserts, and Bronagh’s Da and Brendan are taking care of food and refreshments.”

“What does that leave us?” I asked, then paused when the waitress brought our drinks and took our order.

“Decorations and games,” Cass replied when the waitress left us. She lifted her Cosmo and took a long drink then murmured, “Mmmm, that hits the spot.”

“Okay,” I replied, trying to decide which was the lesser of two evils. “I can look online and figure out some games.”

“Cool. I’ve been eyeing some cool trinkets to give as prizes.”

“There are prizes?”

“Sure, for the winners of the games.”

“Oh…”

“I can do the games if you’d rather decorate.”

“No,” I assured her, enjoying the burn of my bourbon as it slid down my throat. “I can handle it.”