Page 15 of Best Wrong Thing

“Uh, yeah. I’ll get right on that.”

I’ll have to go to a rental place and hope they have something my size on short notice. Or maybe I can buy something off the peg that will double up as an interview suit. With any luck, I’ll have job interviews soon. I scan the job listings every day in case something interesting comes up. Until then, I enjoy working at the bar, especially when I meet sexy guys. Less so when they freak out and fuck off straight after sex. Well, notstraightafter. We did cuddle, which was so wonderful.

“Archer?”

“Huh?”

“Should I wear a wedding dress?”

“Oh. I thought we’d moved on from that. Can’t you wear the dress you wore to get married in?”

“I suppose so. It lacks drama, though. Do you want to go wedding dress shopping with me this afternoon?”

“Do shops like that take walk-ins?”

“I’m sure they will.”

I’m not. I’ll admit to watching more than a few episodes ofSay Yes To The Dress. Those brides always have to have an appointment.

“Please, Archer? I’d love to have your input.”

“I’ve given you my opinion. Wear the dress you bought for the wedding. Then, when you look back at the photos in years to come, it’ll feel more like the two events were close together.”

She gasps. “Photos! You’re right. I’ll need a photographer for the reception.”

What have I done?

“I’d better organise that. Do you think the reception venue will know which photographer the bride and groom who weresupposed to get married on Saturday had hired? They’ll have a cancellation to fill too.”

“I’m not sure they’d know.”

Mum’s behaviour is somewhat vulture-like right now. I get she wants to celebrate her marriage, but this is a bit much.

“I’ll call them. What song do you think we should play for the first dance?”

“Shouldn’t you decide that with Barry?”

“He’ll be happy with whatever I decide. Oh, shoot. I’ll need to arrange a DJ. I’ll ask the reception venue about that too. Is there anything else I need to arrange?”

“Food?”

“They’ll handle that. What about wedding favours?”

“I think those are only put on the tables at the wedding breakfast.” Not that I’m even remotely a wedding expert.

“Hmm. Good point. No wedding favours. Oh well, saves me money and time.” She chuckles and then makes a call to her contact at Weetwood Hall.

I sip my drink. Why did Jacob leave? His rushed departure has been consuming my thoughts since I woke up. Who am I kidding? I’ve been thinking about it from the moment he left. Last night, I tossed and turned before I fell asleep. Why does it bother me so much? I got dumped. I need to get over it. But he was everything I like in a guy—slightly awkward, hot in bed, and attentive.

Mum cups her hand over the receiver. “Do you want me to book you a hotel room for Saturday night?”

“They have space?”

“Of course. They had a block booking for wedding guests. But now that wedding is off, most of the guests have cancelled their bookings. I’ll pay. My treat.”

“Uh, yeah, sure.”

It’ll be cheaper than getting a taxi home late at night. I should look up where Weetwood Hall is, and I’ll need to ask for time off work. Hopefully, my boss lets me take the night off on such short notice. Saturday nights are always packed.