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“Fine. Do whatever you want. It’s your wedding, after all.” She turns up her nose with a huff. “Is there something to drink in this place?
“There’s champagne in the kitchen,” Jane answers in a tight voice.
“Thank god.” Ashley turns on her heel and begins walking down the hallway she entered, towards the kitchen.
“Yikes,” Heather mutters once my best friend is out of the room.
“You mean, Jesus Christ.” Jane shakes her head and looks at me with a frown. “I’m sorry, Cat. I thought you’d want your best friend here, but obviously, something is going on there. Want me to get rid of her?”
And she would, too.
If I asked, Jane would have no problem grabbing my best friend from her slicked-back ponytail and dragging her out of the penthouse.
While the offer is tempting, I shake my head. “No. Things are just awkward between us. Hopefully, she’ll relax in a little bit.”
She nods. “Declan warned me she might act like a bitch. Just know my offer stands. If you want her gone at any point, say the word and I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” I say, wondering how Declan knows things are strained between me and my best friend.
Heather claps her hands together and changes the subject. “Alright. I’m going to get some water and bring you both back champagne so we can get this party started.” She leaves to go to the kitchen without waiting for a response.
I appreciate Heather’s positive attitude, especially considering she knows the truth about my upcoming marriage. She has every reason to not be a good sport, and yet, she’s being more supportive than someone I’ve known since I was a teenager.
Heather Lawson is an amazing woman, and I’m so glad she and Nero have reconciled. I know my brother doesn’t think he deserves someone as great as Heather, but he’s wrong. He deserves the best, and there’s no doubt in my mind that the blonde beauty fits that description to a T.
“Alright, we have several gowns selected.” Nancy returns wearing an excited smile. Her assistants carry gowns down the hall that leads to the dining room. I understand why when Nancy says, “We’ve set up a makeshift dressing room in the dining room. While you change into the first gown, I’ll have a trifold mirror set up in here so you can see yourself when you show your friends the gowns.”
“Perfect,” Jane turns to me, wearing an encouraging smile. “This will be fun. I promise.”
I don’t know if fun is the word I’d use, but I’ll admit this experience already feels less burdensome than the first time I tried on gowns.
I smile and nod, deciding there’s no harm in giving this experience a chance.
Chapter12
Catarina
“That’s enough,” I laugh and shake my head at the two women on the couch pressuring me to try on one more gown. “I’m too tired to try on anything else.”
“Aw, come on.” Heather pouts. “This is so fun! All these gowns are gorgeous.”
“Yeah,” Jane seconds. “Let us live vicariously through you.”
Ashley remains silent, sipping her sixth glass of champagne. Which, if I’m being honest, is a low number for my friend given the fact we’ve been at this for three hours.
“Then you two should try on some dresses,” I counter with a grin.
“No way. It’s way more fun to watch someone else model for once,” Heather replies with a laugh.
“And I’m too short for these gowns,” Jane adds. “I’d look like a kid playing dress up. Whereas you look gorgeous in everything.”
Heather exclaims her agreement.
Their compliments make me blush. Or maybe it’s the third glass of champagne I’ve imbibed. The alcohol definitely dulls the sting of Ashley’s continued silence.
I don’t know what to make of my friend’s sullen behavior. She’s sported a frown almost the entire time she’s been here, and she’s refrained from approving of a single dress of the dozens I’ve tried on. It’s easy to ignore her petulant silence right now, especially when Heather and Jane are so enthusiastic, but I know I’ll need to address her attitude with her eventually. Unlike when we were growing up, I’m not interested in sweeping her behavior under the rug. We’re adults. And friends.
And adult friends talk through their problems. At least, they should.
