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“Josh! Sweet boy, what a surprise.”
“It’s not a surprise, Mom,” Lindsay called. “He’s in the wedding party.”
“I know. It’s just nice to see him now. At this particular time. When Margot’s here, and we’re all here. Except your father. But that’s not important. What matters is it’s Josh. With those of us who are already here.Sucha surprise.” My mother strolled back over and sat on the bed. Josh trailed her with a slightly baffled expression and then hovered in the triangle between the chair containing Troy, my mother on one bed, and me sitting on the other.
“I...uh…got the cufflink fixed.” He held it up for everyone to see.
“Oh, yay!” Lindsay beamed. “You’re our hero, Josh.”
Josh gave a half laugh that sounded forced even to my ears, and I hadn’t been a Josh paracommunications expert in years. “I’m not a hero. I’m just here to help.”
“You deserve to be promoted to best man, Josh,” Troy said. “Will isn’t getting here until Thursday night. You’ve been doing the job for him.”
Josh cracked a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s okay. I don’t need the credit. Or to give the toast. Or basically any of the other best man responsibilities.”
Lindsay glanced at me and then swiveled right. “So Josh, are you seeing anyone these days?”
She glanced back at me, and I staunchly refused to notice. I found sudden, intense interest in the duvet cover of the bed I was sitting on. It was nice. White. Fresh. Probably high thread count and—
“No. Not seeing anyone. Why? You interested?” His eyes gave a smart aleck twinkle.
Lindsay didn’t blink. “Yes. Very.”
Josh’s overconfidence slipped, and confusion furrowed his brow. Neither Troy nor I faltered. We both knew Lindsay better.
“I have a friend from work I’d like you to meet,” she swept on. “Think you’d be perfect for each other. How long will you be in town?”
Now his entire face slipped. “Not long enough to meet anyone new.”
“It would be no problem. Easy enough to figure out a lunch or dinner for the two of you—”
“No. Thanks. It wouldn’t work for me.” Josh’s gaze landed on me for an instant then skittered away.
I was not jealous that my sister was trying to set up my ex-love. Not even a little. Anyone could see her moves weren’t working. It would be downright silly to waste time feeling wounded that Lindsay cared so little for me and my feelings that she’d try to fix up my tumultuously charged ex-person Josh with one of her friends.
In fact, I barely noticed she was doing it. And it didn’t matter at all if that was even indeed what was going on.
“Well, you should take Margot!” Lindsay exclaimed brightly, staring wide-eyed at Josh.
“What was that?” I sat up straight. Apparently I’d missed part of the conversation.
Lindsay gestured a lazy hand at me. “Margot was just saying she didn’t want to take my wedding dress to the cleaners by herself on the subway, so you should go with her and keep her from being mugged.”
“No,” I said, my heart galloping. “Your wedding dress and I obviously don’t get along.”
“Don’t be silly.” Lindsay shook her head at me with a look that said she wasn’t going to put up with my antics. “Besides, it’s so easy. We already have an appointment set up with a specialist. All you have to do is hand it to them. Josh can protect the dress on the way.”
“That’s not necessary.” I stood up. “In fact, now that Josh is back, he can take the wedding dress himself. No one would think of attacking Josh for it. Problem solved.” I started for the door.
“That doesn’t work for me.” Lindsay glanced down at her manicure and frowned as she echoed Josh’s words. “Something could happen to the dress while Josh is fighting off the would-be thieves. It could be torn or dragged on the ground or slung over some thick wire or cable for a zipline escape.”
My mouth dropped open, and I stared at her.
“What?” she said. “I’ve seen Jackie Chan movies. No. It only makes sense for Margot to take the dress and protect it with her life and Josh to protect Margot from external forces like muggers. And ziplines.” She got up and perched on the arm of Troy’s chair.
“And Jackie Chan,” my mother added.
We all looked at her.
