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“You don’t know her. I met her recently and invited her.”
“Has she said yes yet?” Jace inquired.
“She’ll say yes,” I said confidently, even though I hadn’t heard from her in a week. I hadn’t insisted, deciding to be a gentleman and wait patiently. Except... I wasn’t exactly known for my patience.
“Well, let me know as soon as she does, so I can change that in the seating chart,” Lori said.
“Looks like you’ll be on your own, brother. Don’t count on me and Val to save you from Pippa. We’ll be busy with wedding stuff.”
“Hailey, you’re enjoying this far too much,” Jace declared.
Hailey patted Jace mockingly on the shoulder. They were the youngest. Growing up, I couldn’t tell which one was the worse influence. But by the time they were teenagers, things changed. Jace turned into a fierce guardian to our sisters. Our little Hailey didn’t grow up to be a troublemaker. She was sharp and focused, paving her way through life with a sledgehammer. Lori and I were the middle kids, though I’d always considered myself part of the older group. Partly because Val and Landon were twins, which made me the second oldest, but also because I’d been in charge of watching the younger ones, being an authority figure and all that.
After dinner I decided that I was going to get an answer from Paige tonight. I went out on the porch and called her. She didn’t answer, but as soon as I disconnected, she called back.
“Sorry for missing the call. My phone was at the bottom of the bag. Took forever to find it. I’ve been meaning to call you this evening.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m warning you, saying no isn’t an option.”
She laughed softly. “That’s quite some swagger you’re flaunting.”
“Just being upfront.”
“I see. Well, now that makes me want to say no just to hear your reaction.”
“So you’re saying yes?”
She laughed again. “I’m bad at playing this game. I’ve cleared out my schedule for next Saturday. Took some time, because one of my close friends is flying in for the occasion, but I’m meeting her on Friday instead. But you were right. As soon as I mentioned the wedding, I was forgiven. When are you picking me up?”
“Three o’clock.?
??
“I’ll be ready.”
I couldn’t suppress a grin when I returned inside the house and told my sister, “Lori, add a plus one to your list.”
Chapter Seven
Paige
On Saturday, I was certain I was going to be late. I hadn’t heard the alarm, so I’d slept in. I’d been back from Paris for a while now, so I couldn’t blame the jet lag anymore, just my lazy bones. I’d barely made it to the hairdresser appointment, but no way was I attending a wedding without a professional hairstyle. I’d never been handy with that stuff, and following YouTube tutorials usually ended in disaster. I was doing my own makeup, though, because I preferred a natural look, and most professionals applied so much foundation that I felt like I was wearing a mask.
I practically flew back home after my hair appointment, blowing two red lights and driving way over the speed limit. I wondered if Will could retroactively fine me for this. I’d ask him tonight. The thought made me smile. I had no idea why I liked pushing his buttons.
I put on one of my favorite dresses. The light green chiffon was tight above my waist, with a crisscrossing pattern of black lace up to the shoulders. It flowed in a wide A-line to the floor, with a generous split up the right leg. Still, I knew it was a bit too much fabric for this weather. The heat in the second part of July was no less forgiving than it had been in the first part.
I’d bought it from a French designer in a tiny shop two streets away from the Eiffel Tower. He’d been up-and-coming and a total gem of a person. On the plus side, his prices were a bargain because he wanted to get his name out there. If there was one thing I missed from Paris, aside from the croissants, it was the fashion. There were plenty of choices in LA, but I missed what Paris had to offer.
Luna called while I was applying makeup, so I put my phone on loudspeaker, placing it on the shelf under the bathroom mirror while I leaned in as close as possible. I was trying not to poke myself in the eye with the eyeliner. I had no idea what had possessed me to try a smoky eye, but I bore a striking resemblance to a panda, so I wiped it all off and started from scratch. Just mascara, and a smidge of color on my eyelids, cheeks, and lips.
Meanwhile, Luna was grilling me. “A friend? You did not just say that. So let me get this straight. You turned down the Lackeroy guy, and you’re going with the hot detective to the wedding as friends?”
“Yes.”
