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I’m starting to get how bridezillas are made.
Thank fuck for Elle. When she’s not working, she acts as a buffer between me and Émile and the rest of them. Sheshuts down Clifford’s opinions, reminds their dad that all his colleagues have no reason to be invited, and stops their mom from hiring someone to document the entire planning process. It also helps that Émile is deep into planning his charity event and that seems to be the only excuse his family accepts for us sneaking away from them.
It’s almost a relief the show is on now, because spending all day every day talking flowers and churches and food … I moan, resting my head in my hands.
Of course Émile is fielding all that and planning this charity thing without breaking a sweat. If that man feels the pressure over anything, I’ll eat my left nut.
I’m so glad I relented to the sex. It was getting so hard to concentrate around him, and now, that’s the highlight of my week.
“Christian?”
My head jolts up at the voice, and I have to blink a few times to make sure I’m seeing who I think I’m seeing. “Josie. What the hell are you doing here?”
She winds her way through the makeup stations we have set out backstage. There’s a dressing room for the two leads, but the rest of us are left to fend for ourselves in the bullpen.
“Just got back from our honeymoon.” She turns soft eyes on me. “What on earth happened that night?”
I sigh, not able to keep eye contact. “Yeah, not my finest moment.”
“I should hope not. You ended up eating more of my wedding cake than I did.”
“Hey, at least you didn’t have to worry about Sheppy smashing it in your face,” I try.
“I was looking forward to that, actually.” She crosses her arms and leans against my dressing table. “Are you okay? I know … I know that must have been shitty.”
And when I think about the epic fucking humiliation I went through, I want to agree. But shitty probably isn’t the word for how I was feeling in the moment. The thing is though, it might have only been a month or so, but it feels like forever ago. So much has happened since then that I haven’t had time to dwell on that night and how terrible it was. Actually, I almost find it funny.
Almost.
“It was,butI was mostly ashamed for ruining it for you.”
“Thanks, but you’re giving yourself way too much credit. The wedding was a dream, and by that point I was so drunk everything is a bit hazy.”
“Well, thank fuck for alcohol.”
She turns a cheeky look on me, and it’s so strange seeing someone that shares so many of my features right in front of me. I’ve missed this. “I heard down the family grapevine that you’re still seeing a certain someone. A veryrich and powerfulsomeone.”
Well, I guess I should feel grateful that they’re talking about that instead of cakemageddon.
I decide,fuck itand hold up my hand.
Josie’s jaw drops. “You’re engaged?”
“Sure am.”
“Holy shit that’s amazing.” She catches me totally off guard by swamping me in a hug. “I’m so happy for you. No wonder he came across as a slightly overprotective dick. He was looking out for the man he loves.”
“Uh … yeah.” Though I don’t get how pointing out thathomophobes are badis dickish behavior. “Did you just come here to be pissy at me about the cake?”
“Nope. I wanted to see you perform, actually. Sheppy is already in our seats.”
“Wow.” I’m hit with an influx of nerves. “That’s … great. So great.” And not the pressure I needed before going out there, but it’s also pretty amazing to know I’ll have any family here at all. And I know I shouldn’t ask it, already know the answer before I even let the words out, but I can’t help myself.
“And … my folks. Have they said anything?”
Josie’s face pinches. “No. Though I only got back yesterday. And late, too. So it’s not like I’ve had much chance to talk with anyone …”
Which we both know is bullshit since she’s already been well filled in on Émile. I force a smile. “Aw well. I tried, right?”
