Page 46

“What?” I scoff at her like she’s crazy. “I’m not in love with Patrick,” I say. “I’m just having my doubts over whether or not fucking him was worth ruining a friendship over.”
“Uh-huh. Right,” she says, slapping my hand away from her plate when I reach for another onion ring. “Eat your own.”
“I can’t,” I say, looking at my plate. “I think Lisa spit in my food.”
She looks at me like I’m crazy but, something catches her attention behind me and her face drains of color. I turn to look, my stomach dropping onto my feet the second I do. Declan’s fiancé, Jessica breezes in, talking loudly on her cell, knock-off Coach bag swinging from the crook of her arm.
“I wish you would’ve told me about you and Dec before I agreed to be one of her bridesmaids.” I turn in my seat to find Tess staring at the TV screen directly above Declan’s head. “I would’ve said no. I might’ve even spit on her.”
My words draw her attention and she smiles like nothing wrong. “Are you kidding? If you’re not there, who will give me the down and dirty on how much of a train wreck it turns out to be?”
“You know the only reason she asked me is because I’m a blonde and can pull of the dress, right?”
“That’s not why she asked you.” Tess shakes her head. “She asked you because you’re my friend,” she says, getting ready to scoot her chair away from the table. “I have to use the—”
I reach across the table and close a hand around Tess’ wrist. “You have every right to be here,” I say, stealing a quick glance over my shoulder. Declan and Jessica are arguing and Patrick is looking at us. He pissed and for once in recent history, it isn’t at me. Before I can blink he’s out of his seat, tossing back his shot before snagging the bar towel out of Declan’s hand. Whatever he’s saying, it looks like Jessica is temporarily mollified.
I turn back to Tess and smile. “See? Everything’s—”
“Christ,” Tess mutters under her breath, eyes locked on something over my shoulder. “Fuck my life.”
Before I can turn in my seat and see for myself, a shadow falls across our table and I look up to find Jessica standing over us. “Cari,” she says, a plastic smile fixed to her face. “I’m so glad I caught you—we’re having a little girl’s day next weekend. Declan’s ordered a limo to pick up all my bridesmaids and take us to Anton’s for dress fittings.”
Just then, Lisa pushes in, a basket of hot wings in each hand. “I’m sorry it took so long, the fryer is acting up,” she says, wedging the baskets between the condiment caddy and the napkin holder. “Is there something wrong with your burger?” She looks at me, seemingly confused.
Uhh, I’m pretty sure you poisoned it.
I shake my head, forcing a smile. “Nope.”
As soon as Lisa is gone, I look up and catch Jessica looking at the food spread across the table, nose scrunched in disgust. “I ordered you a size six,” she says, shifting her gaze to take in my baggy sundress. I fight a smile because I know it’s impossible for to her to get a read on my current weight. “I hope that’s going to work for you.”
I reach over and snag one of Tess onion rings and stuff it into my mouth. “Should be fine,” I say around the food in my mouth, being gross on purpose. “And if not, that’s what fittings are for, amiright?”
Unamused, Jessica fakes a laugh before turning her attention to the real reason she came over here. “Hello, Tess,” she says, looking at the grease stains on Tess’ hands. “On your lunch break?”
“Yup,” Tess answers, fishing in the basket of wings for a drumstick. Finding one, she pulls it out and starts to chew.
Finding her opening, Jessica goes in for the kill. “I don’t know how’d I’d manage a job and planning a wedding.” The plastic smile turns nasty. “I’m so lucky to have someone like Declan to take care of me.”
I feel my fingers curling inward, hooking themselves into claws but before I can launch myself at Jessica and show her what she can do with her size six, Declan appears, closing his hand around his fiancé’s elbow. “Let’s go,” he says, pulling her away from the table. “Sorry to interrupt your lunch.” He’s looking at me but he’s talking to Tess, I can tell. Tess doesn’t even look at him.
“Don’t forget, next Saturday.” Jessica says, pulling out of Declan’s grasp to loop her arm through his. “It’s going to be so much fun.”
Declan looks like he’s going to be sick but he manages to turn her around and pilot Jessica toward the exist, but before he passes through the door he looks back at our table and I see it etched plainly on his face.
Regret.
Twenty-six
Patrick
As soon as Declanleaves, I stop drinking. I’m going to have enough trouble getting through the next couple of hours without adding booze on top of everything else I’m feeling. I scoop some ice into a pint and added club soda and lime. If I don’t sober up soon, I’ll make some coffee.
Cari and Tess are still here, both of them leaning into the table, talking quietly. Tess looks a bit shaken—a confrontation with Jessica could do that to anyone—but she’s recovering quickly. Just in case, I called Conner.
“Gilroy’s Garage,” he barks into the phone, music blaring in the background.
“Hey—it’s Patrick,” I say, keeping my voice low. “How slammed are you?”