Paige giggled. “You two are probably made for each other, then. Although, for the record, I am on Lindsay’s team. She says you’re scum. So officially, I hate you.”
Brad sighed. “Fair enough. But you also only have her side of things. And anyway, it happened years ago. I can barely remember the name of the woman I dated last year. How is Lindsay still so mad?”
“Well, the running theory among her friends is that she’s still hung up on you, but don’t tell her I told you that.”
“You guys seem awfully eager to help me. I’m confused by it.”
Paige laughed. “Again, I’m on Lindsay’s side. I just think she’s quick to anger because she still has feelings for you and doesn’t know what to do with them. To be clear, if she says she wants no part of you, then that’s it. But if I were to tell you that we’ve got a cat adoption event scheduled here in two weeks, and I’d like you to make some desserts for it, and I think I can persuade Lindsay to come, what would you say?”
“She won’t come if I’m here.”
“She might. She’s come to every other adoption event. Mostly for the free booze, granted, but also to support her friends.”
“I can make some bite-size things. Mini-cupcakes, mini-quiches, that kind of thing.”
“I’ll work on Lindsay. But the rest is up to you. And if she doesn’t want to talk to you, there’s nothing more I can do.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.”
Chapter 6
Lindsay was still seething when she got to Pop the next night. Everyone was there—her friends and their significant others—crammed into a table in the back. Lauren and her husband, Caleb, had brought their eight-month-old, who was happily gurgling away in her stroller at one end of the table. Paige sat next to her fiancé, Josh. Evan had brought his boyfriend, Will. And here was Lindsay, alone.
She blamed Brad for that, too.
As Lindsay sat, Will said, “I saw that review of Pepper. That was something else.”
“Yeah, I’m famous now. I got a shiny new job as the food editor at theNew York Forum.”
Will gaped at her. “Are you kidding?”
“No, it’s true. I’ve been there for two whole weeks now.”
“Oh my god! That’s amazing.” Will looked around the table. “This is old news to all of you, isn’t it? This is what happens when I miss the weekly drink night.”
Evan laughed. “It’s fine, honey.”
“You don’t review cookbooks, do you?”
Lindsay smiled despite her foul mood. Will edited cookbooks and seemed to be constantly looking for ways to promote them. He mentioned now that he was working on a celebrity cookbook. The author was a popular actress from a primetime drama, the daughter of a chef, and had a bunch of innovative family recipes she wanted to share with the public. Lindsay took this to mean she wanted to cash in.
Will got up to use the restroom, so Lindsay asked Evan, “How’s that going?”
“Fine,” said Evan.
That didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement. “Just fine?”
He shrugged. “I like him. We’re having fun. Do I think he’s the one? Remains to be seen.”
“You’re not still—”
“Hung up on Pablo? No, no. That ship has sailed. I’m taking everyone’s advice. I found another fish in the sea.”
“Right,” said Lindsay. It came out sounding more sarcastic than she intended.
Evan’s back was clearly up. “You’re one to talk.” His tone was salty.
She let out a breath. “What are you talking about?”
