“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be schmoozing with the beautiful people?”
“Well, wouldn’t you know, amidst all the deck oiling, light hanging, beer stocking, Amy alerts me to the fact I forgot to write in their engagement card.”
Coldness swept over me. “Oh shit.”
I clearly was the worst friend you could ever be unfortunate enough to have. How could I have forgotten?
Sean’s eyes settled on me. “Relax, it’s just a wishing well; chuck some money in an envelope and you’re good to go. I have some here if you need one.”
“What kind of friend forgets that sort of thing?”
Sean flicked out his wallet, thumbed a series of notes—to the naked eye he counted out a thousand dollars—and slid it into the card.
“Whoa, remind me to invite you to my engagement party,” I said, as usual before thinking.
Sean laughed. “I suppose you want me to throw the party for you as well?”
“Well, it’s a great party, I think Amy’s and your calling has been missed in life. You two should be event managers, seriously.”
“I think there would be a murder if that came to fruition.” Sean laughed, sealing the card and placing it in the inside of his suit pocket.
“Do you want me to check if the coast is clear?”
“Yes, please,” I said, moving from my comfy position on the chair to follow him to the door and hiding behind his huge frame, which wasn’t hard to do considering Sean was six feet three; I couldn’t even see over his shoulder on my tippy-toes. He pressed his fingers to his lips, motioning me to be quiet before he stuck his head out the door, looking left and looking right.
“Yep, the coast is clear,” he whispered, tilting his head for me to follow out into the hall. I sighed. “Thank you.”
Sean Murphy the saint. He epitomised the meaning of what a true friend should be. I could learn a lot from someone as thoughtful as Sean, I thought to myself, right before I slammed right into Megsy in the hall.
My mouth was agape as I looked at Sean who simply winked and gave me the thumbs up behind Megsy’s back as he backed away, leaving me in the hall with her.
I take back everything I ever said about Sean Murphy. I was going to murder him.
“Heeeeeey, Ellie, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
I don’t know what hit me first: the alcohol fumes or the shock of why she would be looking for me. It seemed someone had had way too much to drink, and for once that someone wasn’t me.
“Look, I’m gonna go, but I just wanted to find you and say, you know what … fuck you, Ellie Parker. Fuck. You.”
Whoooooa.
Megsy giggled, swaying as she poked me in the chest as if she was telling a hilarious joke.
“Umm, okay, Megsy, great chatting with you, you have a great night,”
I said, moving to pass her.
“Oh, I will, don’t you worry about that, Miss perfect, pretty Parker. Fuck off.”
I sighed, wondering if this night would ever end, when I turned the corner and ran straight into Adam.
“Whoa, where’s the fire?” he said, stilling me by my shoulders.
“Back in the hallway; I suggest you put it out and take it home.”
Adam’s eyes shifted over my shoulder. “Megsy?”
“Ah, yeah, and let me tell you, the sweet little organic farmer’s daughter has quite the potty mouth on her.”
