"Oh, sorry. I ordered it for you. I should have given it to you when you arrived." Phe slides the glass in my direction.
"You know, we had a bet you wouldn’t make it." Grace looks at me over her glass of wine.
"What do you mean? It’s my bachelorette party. I wouldn’t miss it." I take a sip of the margarita and sigh with pleasure when the cold liquid slides down my throat.
"If you hadn’t made it, we’d have dragged you out, anyway. You need a break. You’ve been working so hard." Zoey sends me a sympathetic glance.
Grace lifts her glass. “Correction. We dragged her out because she’s marrying a terrifyingly intense chef, and we need answers.”
I wince. I can sense an inquisition coming. I’m not going to be able to avoid it.
Phe smiles softly at me. “We missed you. I haven’t seen you since that day in James’ office. Haven’t heard from you, except to confirm that you’d be here today."
Something warm loosens in my chest. Of course, Phe’s being more understanding because James is her brother. And because she walked in on us and thinks James and I are in love. Why did I ever think that she’d be upset to find out that I have feelings for her brother?
Grace leans across the table. “Okay. Start talking.”
My two other friends are not going to let me off so easily. Still, I demur.
I should have anticipated that Grace will not rest until she gets something resembling an explanation which satisfies her. She’s going to need more than what I told Phe.
I try to buy myself more time with asking, “About what?”
“The marriage, Harper," Zoey scoffs.
Grace taps her fingers on the table. "The one you agreed to without consulting the committee.”
“The committee?” I laugh.
“We’re your friends.” Zoey nods. “We’re absolutely the committee.”
“When is this happening?” Grace fixes me with a stare that has prompted many of the guests on her morning show to spill the truth.
And I’m not going to lie about this anyway. “It’s next week.”
Three jaws drop.
Phoenix nearly falls out of her chair. “So soon? James didn’t tell me.”
"We just confirmed the details this morning."
It’s the earliest date James could swing at Islington Town Hall. The sooner we provide the marriage certificate to Margot, the sooner he’ll get his inheritance. And the sooner the board will renew their commitment to The Edge.
Zoey takes a long sip of her margarita, before setting down the glass. "You’re kidding.”
"Nope."
There’s silence as they digest what I’m saying, then Phe, tilts her head. “Town hall wedding, right? I can’t see James agreeing to anything else.”
I nod. “Small ceremony. Quick. No church.”
Zoey studies me closely. “And you’re okay with that?”
“God, yeah. I don’t have the time for anything else."
Grace and Zoey look at each other.
"What?" I scowl.
