Until I Met You

‘I want you to have a good time,’ Naomi said. ‘And to leave here with good memories.’

This time they all cried out as one. ‘Don’t be dumb!’ Hugo exclaimed. ‘We’re having a blast.’

‘The time of our lives, truly,’ Samantha said. ‘Look at us! We’re in paradise.’

‘Girl, we can handle a little drama,’ Jasmine said. ‘You don’t have to hide from us.’

As ever, Samantha had questions. ‘What was the row about?’

Naomi pressed her lips together. She looked uncomfortable. ‘I’d rather not say.’

‘It’s between them,’ Jasmine said. ‘We don’t have to get into that.’

‘Thanks,’ Naomi said. ‘I’d prefer not to.’

Hugo offered to stand in as the best man in a pinch. Naomi thanked him and turned down the offer. ‘His uncles arrive on Friday. He’ll have plenty of candidates to choose from.’

‘That’s pretty shitty of Ted,’ Jen said. ‘Imagine your best man walking out on you. No one deserves that.’

Naomi folded her arms and fell silent. Jasmine and Samantha exchanged looks. ‘All right!’ Jasmine said brightly. ‘I think this has been a productive session. Should we chant “om” three times?’

Hugo shut that down. ‘Yoga was cancelled.’

‘OK.’ Jasmine chuckled. ‘Let’s at least set intentions for the rest of the week.’

‘I intend to get married,’ Naomi said. ‘That’s it.’

‘I intend to dance my ass off at your wedding,’ Hugo said.

‘And I intend to follow your advice,’ Jen said.

‘How about you, Sammy?’ Jasmine asked.

‘I intend to go with the proverbial flow.’

‘Good plan.’

Maya arrived and, judging by the look on her face, she was in quite a mood, as well.

Jen greeted her first. ‘Morning, sunshine!’

Maya rolled her eyes. ‘Give it a rest. It’s 7 a.m. How are you all so damn chipper?’