Page 11 of Bride Games

11

Emma & Paige

E mma and Paige arrived at Coconuts at the same time. Hugging in the parking lot, Paige said, “So good to see you. I need a drink.”

Emma squeezed her hand. “Sounds good to me.”

They walked into the darkened bar and found an empty high-top table along the edge. The bar was crowded and lively. Both women sat on rattan bar stools as Emma glanced at the floor-to-ceiling mural. “I love that beach scene. I feel more relaxed already. But you look stressed. What’s going on, Paige?”

Paige waved a server over. A flip-flop wearing man appeared, all smiles. “I remember you two from last year.”

“Great memory.” Emma snaped her fingers together. “And your name is—” She scrunched her nose. “It’s on the tip of my tongue.”

“Gus. No worries. What can I bring you ladies?”

Paige ordered a Cosmo. Emma glanced at a standing Happy Hour menu and brightened. “I think I’ll try a key lime martini. That sounds divine.”

“Make it two. I’ll drop the Cosmo,” Paige said.

“Be right back.”

“Hold on. What’s that?” Paige reached for Emma’s left hand. “I should have asked the server for sunglasses. That stunning ring nearly blinded me!” Paige hopped off her barstool and embraced her best friend. “When did this happen? Tell me everything.” She stared at the ring. “It’s gorgeous, Em. I’m thrilled for you.”

“Thanks.” Emma shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. I’m almost afraid to talk about it. Afraid I’ll jinx it, you know.”

“You won’t. That’s a silly superstition.” Paige paused as Gus brought their cocktails. She held hers high in the air. “To the future bride—my beautiful, sweet, best friend.”

Emma clinked her glass with Paige’s and took a healthy swig. “Oh, my God. This is amazing.” She licked some of the graham cracker crumbs off the rim.

Nodding, Paige said, “I’d say it’s downright sinful. I’ll probably gain five pounds drinking this.”

“You’re as thin as a rail.”

“Maybe, but television adds ten pounds.”

“Even twenty pounds wouldn’t matter. You’re beautiful. Me, I’m a freckled mess. But a happy mess.” Emma stared at her engagement ring. “I still can’t believe this.”

“Believe it, girlfriend. Look what I missed after being away so long! How did he propose? It was the kindergarten teacher, right?”

Emma laughed. “Yes, Eli Hansen proposed and”—her voice broke—“in the sweetest way possible. It was absolute perfection. I still can’t get over his attention to detail.”

Paige leaned forward. “Go on. Don’t leave out a thing.”

Emma explained how Eli and Lucy had decorated the backyard, the path of flower petals, the overhead fairy lights—as Lucy called them—and the photos he had taken during their courtship. “He propped up photos from a variety of our dates against flickering white candles. Can you believe it? Each picture showcased the times we’d shared together as a couple, as well as when we had Lucy in tow. It was unbelievably romantic, magical, and thoughtful—” Even in the darkened bar, Emma could see Paige’s eyes had filled with tears. She decided at that moment to cut any further details short. Paige didn’t need to know that Lucy had made an adorable handmade sign asking Emma to marry Eli, and as he got on one knee, so did her daughter. There wasn’t any reason to torture her best friend who had a broken engagement with a rival television anchor who had cheated. Trent. The jerk.

Paige dabbed her teary eyes with a cocktail napkin. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard all year, maybe in five years.” She sniffled. “You deserve that and more, my friend.” She took a big swig of her martini and became silent as her thoughts swirled.

Emma studied her best friend. “Why are you so quiet? I thought you’d be thrilled.”

“I am thrilled. I couldn’t be happier for you.” Paige reached for Emma’s hand. “No one deserves this more. It’s just?—”

Brows furrowed, Emma asked, “Just what? Don’t tell me you’ve seen Eli with another woman. Not like what happened to you and Trent. Sorry, but you know what I mean.”

“I’m sure he’s totally devoted to you. The thing is—” Paige took a deep breath before blurting out, “I’ll plan your wedding. I asked you to do it for me last year. It’s only right that I do the sa?—”

“That’s why you’re quiet? That’s what’s bothering you?” Emma burst out laughing. “No offense, but not a chance, Paige. You’re way too busy, and unlike those football players you cover, you’d drop the ball. Pun intended. I appreciate the half-hearted offer, though.” Both Emma and Paige laughed. “Besides, I know the perfect person to help,” Emma added.

“Who?”

“Nigel Balmforth. He manages Bride & Joy where I got your wedding gown, remember?”

“It’s your wedding gown now, remember?” Paige took a sip of the martini and winked. “Okay, I feel better. At least I checked that off your to-do list. That’s something, right?”

“Are you kidding? That’s huge. It’s a beautiful dress. Lucy thinks I look like Cinderella in it.” Emma rubbed her temples. “Wow. There’s a lot to do. I’d better meet with Nigel soon. It’s all starting to sink in and is a bit overwhelming.”

Paige drained her martini and motioned to the server for another, plus menus. “Oh, yeah. Totally overwhelming, which is why I burdened you last year for no reason, as we both found out.”

“That’s ancient history,” Emma said, waving a hand dismissively. Emma chuckled. “Thanks for that. You’re right. Now back to our wedding plans.” Half blushing, Emma said, “I wish I had kept your very long to-do list. You are quite the planner, Paige.”

“I know I overdid it last year. I’m surprised you didn’t bolt that day in the coffee shop when I handed you several legal-size sheets of paper. It was ridiculous. Sorry again.” Paige steepled her fingers. “I think less is more.”

“Good. Our budget likes that answer.”

Grinning, Paige added, “I remember having the wedding jitters—or almost-wedding, in my case—but honestly, don’t let it eat you alive. It’s better to enjoy the process, or so I hear.”

“You’re right. I can hear my stomach growling. They can probably hear it in the kitchen. Let’s order.”

Both women signaled for the server. Gus was busy behind the bar, clearly noticed their hands in the air, and motioned to a different server to take their order. While they waited for their food to arrive, Emma texted Nigel and asked if he could meet soon. She perked up when he responded right away in the affirmative. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. I love his British humor, although he has a habit of saying some terms that Lucy always mimics.”

“That’s hilarious. Maybe I should have a dinner party sometime for Eli, Zach, Nigel, you, and me.”

Emma’s eyebrows shot up. “That would be fun, but I didn’t know you cooked.”

“I don’t.” Paige chewed on her bottom lip. “Maybe we could all go out to eat.”

Emma burst out laughing. “Fine by me. I just need twenty-four hours to line up a sitter.”

Paige pulled out her cellphone and scrolled through her photos since the food hadn’t yet arrived. “I have some new photos of Zach. He’s a cutie.”

Emma stared at the photo. “You know I see him with you on television, don’t you? You both cover football games.”

“Oh, yeah. That little thing called work. I forgot. My cute coworker filled my gaping engagement breakup wound as if he were a medic on a battlefield.” Paige smiled, then frowned. “Speaking of, there’s a new redhead covering sports.” Rolling her eyes, Paige said, “She seems to already have the hots for Zach. She works for ESPN.”

“I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry a-” Before Emma could finish, platters of coconut-encrusted tilapia, roasted asparagus, and mixed green salads with shaved coconut, pecans, and dried cranberries appeared. The server moved dishes around until the entire table was covered. “Oh, wow. This looks and smells amazing.”

“Dig in. This is on me.” Paige winked. “Especially since I don’t have to plan your wedding. You just saved me a lot of sleepless nights.”

“You’re a nut.” Emma poised her fork in the air. “You don’t have to do that, but thank you.”

While they ate, Paige peppered Emma with questions. “I’m sorry your parents aren’t alive, Em, I—” Paige stopped her train of thought before finishing her sentence, clearly noticing Emma’s face fall. To lighten the mood, Paige picked up her martini. “Here’s to the happy couple. I’m thrilled for you. Eli seems like a great guy and Lucy clearly adores him.”

“That she does.” Emma giggled. “She still calls him Mr. Hansen. She cannot break the habit since he was her teacher last year.”

“I think that’s adorable. I bet he does too.” Hesitating, Paige asked, “What about his parents? Have you met them? Are they in the picture? If it’s none of my business, just tell me.”

Giving a half shrug, Emma said, “I’m not trying to be evasive. I really don’t know much about his family. Eli is unusually tightlipped about his mom. I’m not even sure what state—or country, for that matter—she lives in. He avoids that topic like head lice.”

“Gross.” Paige scrunched her nose. “And his dad?”

“He passed. From what I gather, Eli had a falling out after his dad’s funeral when he discovered his mother was dating a much younger man, close to Eli’s age.” Emma shuddered. “I got the feeling she was possibly having an affair before his dad died but didn’t probe. I could tell it’s a touchy, hurtful subject and understandably one Eli doesn’t like to discuss. After telling me a few sketchy details, he said he and his mom have been estranged for a few years.” Emma’s eyes welled with tears. “It’s too bad because I’m sure Lucy would love having a grandmother. Of course, Mrs. Roberts sort of fills that roll, but she isn’t blood related, you know?”

“Yeah, I get it.” Paige tsked as she touched Emma’s arm. “You know, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. A small nuclear family can be a huge blessing. Really huge. You should hear some of the stories told about crazy relatives at the station —or some of the family brawls I see at games when the fans are drunk.”

Emma nodded as she devoured every morsel. “You’re right.” After the server cleared their dishes, she asked, “Ready to go to Bride & Joy? Maybe look at dresses and get some invitation recommendations from Nigel? Mrs. Roberts and Lucy are going to watch a movie and order pizza. Lucy couldn’t wait for me to leave.” Laughing, Emma said, “I’m lucky to have her.”

“Sure.” Paige glanced at her watch. “What time does his shop close?”

“I think six.” Emma drained her cocktail and held out her shaky hands. “I’m thrilled, overcome, and my nerves are slightly shot. How can I be all of those things at once?”

“That’s perfectly normal for a bride-to-be. Take a breath, my friend. I’ll get you through this.”