The only thing left to do is text Drew.
Me
Can you squeeze an extra seat in at the reception? I’m bringing a date, after all.
Just when I think the pain couldn’t get any worse, my phone pings with Drew’s reply.
Drew
Why am I not surprised?
Chapter Thirty
THE WEDDING: PART 1
Gretchen
three years ago
I’ve goneand fallen in love with my best friend.
What began as a girl with a crush in need of a friend, turned into so much more. I found not only a best friend, butmy person.
I don’t know if he loves me back. But seeing him last night, the touches, the flirting, the date we planned for tomorrow—it feels like we’re on the same page.
Secrets have never been difficult for me. This introverted girl of few words has relished in having Connor Vining all to herself for the past year. But I’m also not ignorant to reality—whatever this thing is between us can’t stay a secret forever. While Drew’s wedding isn’t the time or place to hard launch the idea, we’ll have to put it out into the open sooner rather than later.
But for at least one more day, until we get the chance to talk about what the future holds with him in Chicago and me in New York, I plan to enjoy our little secret for a bit longer.
The door to the hotel suite opens. Reagan and her bridesmaids file in, getting-ready bags and formal gowns in tow.
I’m not technically a bridesmaid—Reagan has plenty of those—but I have been helping with some wedding-related tasks from afar as needed when she and my brother’s schedules got crazy with law school and studying for the BAR exam. Today, while the bridal party was downstairs doing a quick run through of the ceremony, I prepped the ladies’ getting-ready suite.
“Oh my gosh, this all looks so great! Thank you, Gretchen!” Reagan exclaims as she peruses the assortment of snacks, mini-sandwiches and fruit I’ve laid out for everyone.
The girls hang up their gowns on the rolling rack in the living room while Reagan goes rummaging through her overnight bag.
“Has anyone seen my phone?” she asks.
A quick scan of the living area reveals nothing. “I haven’t seen it.”
Reagan looks under all the girls’ purses littering the entry table. “I need to text the planner and tell her to add a seat at the head table.”
“I think she’s up in the ballroom. I can go up there and tell her.”
“That would be amazing! Thank you so much.”
I smile and grab my purse. “No problem. Just tell me where you need them to go.”
“I guess Connor’s bringing a date now,” she says.
My head snaps toward her, but she doesn’t notice as she’s still on the hunt for her phone.
My thoughts go in two different directions. One says I wholly trust Connor—maybe the extra seat at the head table is for me. The other says I don’t think he’d make such a bold move at Drew’s wedding without talking to me first.
Dread sweeps in. My palms begin to sweat, eyes burning. “Okay,” I strangle out.Do not cry.“Do you know her name? I can have one of Sharon’s staff make her an escort card.”
Reagan rolls her eyes. “No. It’s some girl he met at Drew’s bachelor party last month.”
