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“—and we would like you and Phe to plan a bachelor party. . . thing.” Milo waved his hand in front of him, trying to draw the words out his mouth, except they weren’t coming.
“A bachelor partything?” I repeated.
He nodded, his teeth clenching. “Yeah, with everyone. Elliot, Jamie, me, and Maddy. Nothing too big. I think Madeline has a few people she’d like to invite. Maddy already texted me, telling me Ophelia was on board.”
“She's. On. Board?” I asked, each word coming out with care. “What does that mean exactly?”
“Well. . .” Milo shifted in his seat, reaching up for the remote control on the coffee table. “It means that you and Ophelia are going to be seeing each other a lot more than you originally planned.”
I nodded, my eyes wide as I turned to the TV.You and Ophelia are going to be seeing each other a lot more than you originally planned.
Oh shit. . .
“She can’t know,” I blurted out.
“Can’t know what?” Milo asked, raising his brow and turning toward me.
“She can’t know that I lost my job. She can’t know that I don’t have any money, and she definitely can’t know I’ve beenlivinghere.” My heart began to race. There was no way on God’s green earth that I was going to let Ophelia Fuller know I was a failure. “Just tell her I’m staying here for the wedding, to plan the party, and that I’m working remotely from here for the summer—”
“Clay. . .”
“Nope.” I stopped and looked at Milo, interjecting his comment before he even had time to say it, “Please, she can’t know.”
Milo’s brow was pinched together as his eyes began to fill with concern. “Okay,” he said simply. “I’ll, uh. . . I’ll text Madeline to let her know to not let anything slip.”
I nodded once and looked at the now cold pizza slice in my hand. “Thanks, man.”
Chapter Eight
-Ophelia-
“T
his one.” Madeline jumped at the drawings I placed on the table. She didn't even hesitate when she sawtheone. “This one, this one.This one!”
“Okay, okay. I get it. This is the one.” I placed my fingertips on the drawing Madeline picked and slid the others out of the way. “This one is actually my favorite.” It was the same design I was playing with right after getting the news of my own boutique, the one I knew was for Madeline: Bohemian style with the lace and fabric that would flow from her arms and waist gracefully. I loved it in every way, and I was thrilled that Madeline had chosen it.
Click, click, click.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Carter already snapping photos. I rolled my eyes ever so slightly and focused back on Madeline.
“Can you two move?” Carter’s voice made both of us turn. “I want to get the drawing.”
He came up between us and began clicking away at his camera, getting closer to the paper than I think I had ever been. It’s all in the details, I guess.
Madeline watched him closely as he took photos from all angles. I could see the sparkle in her eye fade as she looked at Carter, taking the photos of the drawings, placing the others on top of the one she picked, and then finally setting it up like it was a masterpiece.
“Is this going to be all the time?” Madeline whispered.
Carter lowered his camera and shot up, his eyes hyper-focused on Madeline. “Yes.” Carter glared at her before stepping away, letting us get back to the drawing.
“Okay, so.” I pulled her back to me. “The skirt is double layered, chiffon on the bottom and lace covering it. I was thinking of a light floral design, a few buttons running down the skirt.”Click.“The back of the dress dips down to a V at the waistline. Are you okay with a bare back?” I looked over at Madeline, who was still studying the design.
She tilted her head. “I’m sure I can manage that for a night. I just love the sleeves.” She traced her fingers down the billowing sleeves.
“Those would be lace as well, more bohemian than anything. The front will have a corset. It won't be see-through. I promise.”
“Oh, thank goodness. Holly is the flower girl, and I don’t want to give her a show.”
