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Chapter One ~ Vivian
“Ican’t believe you’re getting married on Valentine’s Day. Who even does that?” I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall, watching my best friend, Dani, apply her mascara.
“Just because you don’t believe in love, Vivian, doesn’t mean the rest of the world doesn’t.” She didn’t even miss a beat, continuing to apply her makeup.
I snorted and pushed off the wall to sit on the edge of the bed. I inspected my perfectly manicured nails I had done the previous day. “I used to believe in love. Then I walked into my boyfriend’s office to find his secretary on her knees, sucking his dick.” I fell back on the bed with a sigh. “I’m a walking cliche.”
I was giving her a hard time, but I really was happy for my best friend. We’d known each other since we were five years old and I couldn’t be more thrilled that she’d found someone - even if they had only been dating three months and getting married on the cheesiest made up holiday ever.
The way they met was even something out of a cheesy chick flick. They literally bumped into each other in a coffee shop in the morning. Dani spilled her coffee all over his suit. They exchanged numbers because she insisted on paying for his dry cleaning and the rest is history.
Dani turned around and put her hands on her slim hips. Her blonde hair was still up in a messy bun, but her makeup was flawless. “You’re being a little dramatic, aren’t you?” She rolled her eyes at me before releasing her hair so it flowed down to the middle of her back. “Besides, you know Parker is one of the good ones.”
I got up off the bed to inspect my own hair and makeup. “I know, you probably found the last good one out there.” I picked up one of her lipsticks and inspected it. “I’ve decided to forget men for awhile - if not forever - and focus on my career.” I tossed the lipstick down and went back to sit on the bed.
I was the head of marketing for the largest ad agency in Chicago. I worked eighty hours a week, leaving little time for much else. I loved my job and would have no trouble throwing myself into my work to forget about Gabe, the man I had been with for the past five years and the one I thought I was going to marry.
Dani shook her head at me as she combed her fingers through her hair. “Be careful, Vivian. You’ll die a lonely old maid who ends up living alone and being eaten by her cats.”
We both started laughing. “Sounds about right.” I did love cats and had two of them back at my apartment.
I pulled my lip gloss out of my purse and applied some to my lips. “So tell me more about Parker’s brother. He looks cute from the pictures I’ve seen but he’s a country boy, isn’t he? And what kind of name is Chip? Does he dress in overalls?” I scrunched up my nose and laughed.
Chip was Parker’s older brother and best man. We’d never met and I was curious about the guy I was going to be paired with for the festivities this weekend. I knew Parker grew up on a farm but he hadn’t lived there since graduating high school. Chip was still there and from what Dani told me, he ran the farm.
“Yes, he’s cute. He’s a nice guy. And single.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes.
“But he’s a country boy that lives on a farm. I live in Chicago. LikeinChicago. I’m not interested in dating someone that smells like manure all the time. Besides, I just broke up with my boyfriend a week ago.”
“Whatever.” My best friend waved her hand as if to dismiss me. “You knew that relationship with Gabe was going nowhere. Just the week before you were questioning if you should even stay with him. Chip is cute and single. You’re cute and single. Maybe the two of you can have some fun this weekend.” She shrugged and before I could say anything else, the door opened. Dani’s fiancé, Parker, walked into their apartment.
“Hey, babe,” he said with a smile and pulled Dani to him for a long kiss. I couldn’t help but smile and feel a slight pang of jealousy. Even I had to admit it would be nice to be greeted like that. In all of our time together, Gabe never did anything like that.
“You ruined my lip gloss,” Dani protested half heartedly, a silly grin on her face. She turned back to the mirror by the door to touch it up. “Where is Chip?”
He watched his fiancée re-apply lip gloss. “He was helping Mom and Dad get settled at the hotel and said he’d meet us at the bar.”
“You left a country boy all by himself to find his way to a bar in downtown Chicago? You’re brave.” I couldn’t help but jab at him even if he wasn’t here to defend himself.
I couldn’t fathom growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere. My family had always lived in downtown Chicago and it was my favorite place in the whole world. There was so much to do and see. I loved the hustle and bustle of it all. And back in our early twenties, Dani and I owned this city.
Farm life seemed so boring to me.
Parker shook his head with a grin. “My family may own a farm, but we’re not country bumpkins. You’ll see.”
Dani turned and narrowed her eyes at me in an evil glare. “You be nice this weekend. It’s our weekend and I want everyone to get along.” She turned back to the mirror and I stuck my tongue out at Parker.
Dani was right when she called him one of the good ones. He treated my best friend like gold and the way he looked at her when she walked into a room made my heart race. We got along great and I loved him like a brother.
Parker grinned. “And she means business. I wouldn’t mess with her.”
I slid my phone into my purse and laughed. “Oh, trust me, I know better than to mess with Dani.”
“Good.” She came over to me and slid her arm through mine. “Now let's go have some fun like old times. I can’t wait for you to meet Chip. I think the two of you are going to hit it off.”
I didn’t bother to respond and followed the two of them out of the apartment. We caught a cab to the bar and mainly discussed the wedding on the way. It was going to be a fairly small affair since it was such short notice. Only Chip and I were standing up and there would be mainly family, friends, and a few colleagues there. Weddings in Chicago weren’t cheap, especially when planned last minute.
We pulled up to the bar and Parker got out first. He helped us out and we hurried inside. February in Chicago wasn’t the warmest.
