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“Oh, umm, Austin booked our tickets. Hang on.” Casey propped the phone up against her pillow and yanked the iPad from the stack of clutter on her desk. Stifling a mid-morning yawn, she tapped away in search of flight times. “We leave O’Hare at 11:20 AM on Thursday... so, that’s what? Like two o’clock your time that we land?”
Mavis nodded. “Perfect. I’m kind of nervous for this bachelorette party Lauren has planned. I’m glad you’ll be there, Case.” She smiled and dropped the bow.
Lauren.
Her anxiety-inducing note hammered against her heart, unease gripping her gut. Casey forced a grin on her lips. “It’s just a party.”
Her eyes widened on the tiny phone screen. “Just a party, but my soon-to-be mother-in-law will be there. She doesn’t exactly like me anymore.”
“She used to?”
Mavis nodded. “I mean, she always seemed to when I was a kid.”
“So, it’s just her that’s making you nervous?”
I have to get to the bottom of this. What if it’s not just Austin who still feels something?
Mavis pressed her lips together. “Among other things I guess.”
“Like?”
She shook her head and picked up another piece of ribbon. “I mean, I’m nervous it’ll rain on our wedding day. I’m nervous I’ll trip walking down the aisle.” She shrugged. “But that’s normal, right? Every bride feels that.” Her fingers twisted the lace into an intricate knot.
Tread lightly here, Casey!
“What about Josh?”
Mavis snorted. “Case, I’ve wanted to marry Josh since I was ten.” She rolled her eyes. “He’ll tell you the same.” The ribbon fell from her fingers as she frowned. “Why would you ask me about him?”
Casey scrunched her nose and pulled her gaze away from the phone, a new flood of anxiety running rampant through her bloodstream.
“Damn it, Casey! Is this about Austin again?”
She tugged the phone farther away from her face and dropped her head back onto her pillow. “Maybe...” she muttered.
“What about him? Because I have to be honest here. I’m really not too interested in whatever it is you want to say.” She rolled her eyes.
Uh-oh. What does that mean?
Casey huffed out a breath. “Well interested or not...” Her stomach dropped, sinking into the center of the mattress.
“Is that why you’re asking me about Josh?” Her voice softened as she tugged the phone closer.
“Ugh...” Casey smashed her face into the pillow, dragging her cheeks across the soft material.
What am I getting myself into here?
“I’m in love with Joshua, Casey. There’s really nothing else I can say about it. And I’m really not sure why you keep bringing up Austin. You know he’s...”
“Know he’s what?” Casey challenged.
“Complicated.”
“Well, you got that right.” Casey huffed out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes, letting Austin’s essence encase her soul. She smiled, inhaling the imagined scent of sandalwood. “But he’s also absolutely incredible... kind... gentle... and perfect.”
“Oh, my God! You fell for him.”
Casey rolled her eyes. “Well, you did too, girlfriend!”
