AllFreeNovel
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“That’s cool. What do you write?”
“Poetry.”
“Really?” she gasps, eyes widened in excitement. “Me, too!”
Shit.
I mentally scold myself for lying, considering I am the worst possible writer on the planet. Especially when it comes to poetry.
“No way,” I gasp, playing along. “That’s awesome.”
“I used to read my poetry at this little café when I was younger. I’ve been wanting to do something like that again for so long. I think I’m going to write something for the wedding.”
“That would be so sweet.”
She grins. “Do you and Jaxon have a date set yet?”
“Not yet. We’re still trying to figure that out.”
“He told me a few months ago that you guys lived close to one of your favorite venues?” she questions.
I nod, sipping my drink. “Yes, it’s definitely one of our favorites, but we’re not sold on it. New York is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but that’s just not what we have our heart set on,” I anxiously babble.
Pressing her lips into a straight line, she tilts her head to the side, taking in my words.
I nervously swallow, feeling as if I’m suddenly on trial. From the way she’s looking at me, something in the pit of my stomach warns me that this doesn’t feel right.
She briefly grins. “But Jaxon wasn’t living in New York a few months ago,” she presses, stirring her drink with the straw.
My chest tightens, and all the color drains from my face. “What?” I ask, barely any sound to my voice.
“Chicago,” she casually says. “He was living in Chicago.”
“Yeah,” I blurt out. “I know.”
“You said New York.”
“Wait,” I say, faking confusion. “Oh! The one in Chicago? I was thinking about a different one. He took me on business with him, and that’s when we found the other venue. It was beautiful. You should’ve seen it.” I nervously smile. “Too close to the city for our liking, though.”
“Of course.” Her lips curl into a smile. “Debby is looking forward to meeting you.”
Finally, I’m able to relax.
“I’m excited to meet her, too,” I say, smiling in return. “Is she having a good time on the cruise?”
“She actually just got back yesterday.”
“Did she?”
“She did. I asked her to meet us for lunch, but she couldn’t make it.” Crystal lowers her gaze to the table, looking over the menu. “I recommend the bacon cheeseburgers. They’re seriously to die for.”
“Well then, it looks like I’m getting a burger.”
Lifting her head, she eyes me curiously. “Really?” she asks, laughing under her breath. “You’re not a vegan anymore?”
My stomach tightens, and my jaw drops on its own accord. Suddenly, my head is spinning.
“I could’ve sworn that Jaxon told me you were a vegan.”
