Page 54 of Bride Games

54

Paige & Emma

P aige arrived at The Twisted Pasta first and secured a table in the back of the bustling restaurant. She sat with her back to the room, still uneasy around crowds since the majority of people still hated her—at least it felt that way.

Minutes later, Emma rushed inside and took a seat across from Paige, hair in a messy mom bun. “Hey, thanks for calling. This is a nice surprise. Any special occasion or?—”

Paige held a napkin over her face and broke down in tears. “I think my relationship with Zach is over.”

“What?”

A server interrupted their conversation. “Good evening, ladies. Would you like to order or?—”

“We’d like a moment,” Emma said. “And wine. Please bring wine as fast as you can.”

“Certainly. What would the gentlewomen prefer?”

“Any old wine, okay, Paige?”

Paige nodded. “You order.”

Emma said, “We’ll take two waters and a bottle of merlot. We’d like to enjoy our wine and chat before ordering.”

The server nodded knowingly. “Yes, of course. Be right back with the wine. Take all the time you need.”

Emma took Paige’s free hand while her friend dabbed her tears with her napkin. “Start from the beginning. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think. Zach’s obviously nuts about you.”

Exhaling, Paige said, “Maybe he was nuts about me, but I ruined everything when I—” She stopped mid-sentence as the server returned with the wine, poured it into their glasses, and gratefully scurried to another table. Paige held her glass in the air. “Here’s to you and Eli. At least one of us is happy.”

“I don’t understand.” Emma cocked her head. “What happened?”

Paige splayed both hands on the table, lowered her voice, and relayed the entire story beginning with attempting to spy on Zach and Marie at the game, the airplane cancellation, hotel room debacle, and a naked Trent.

Emma didn’t say a word until Paige finished except for sucking in her breath twice —once about being in the same hotel room and a second, louder gasp after learning Trent was naked. Emma clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, but this is bad, Paige. Really bad.” Emma’s mind raced when she saw the disappointment on her best friend’s face. “But you can fix it. I know you can.”

Crossing her arms, Paige said, “How?”

Staring at another seemingly happy couple as if for an answer, Emma admitted, “I don’t know. Let me think about it.” She brightened. “Maybe Eli will have an idea. You know, man-to-man stuff.”

“I don’t know if I want you to tell Eli. I’m afraid the word will get out around town. Remember, Trent and I kept our engagement last year hush-hush, plus Zach and I don’t broadcast our relationship since we’re at the same station and since I’m the”—she made air quotes—“boss” now.

“I get that.” In an effort to make Paige smile, Emma said, “Maybe my six-year-old will have an answer.”

Paige chuckled for the first time in days. “Lucy certainly couldn’t make it any worse. Let’s order. Maybe something will come to you—or me—while we eat.” Paige and Emma scanned the menus and waved the server over. “I’m getting lasagna. To hell with calories. I’m no longer on the air and since I apparently no longer have a boyfriend, who cares?”

“That sounds delicious, but I have to get into the wedding dress you graciously gave me.” Emma stared at the menu. “The spinach ravioli sounds good. That’s a few less calories.” She handed the menu to the server who was already topping off their wine.

“Salads for either of you?”

“House salad,” Paige said.

“Same.”

After the server was out of earshot, Paige said, “Why did I decide to fly to that stupid football game?” She rubbed her temples. “I brought this all on myself.”

“Uh, actually, I remember suggesting you might want to go to a game incognito. I’m to blame too.” Emma winced. “Sorry I suggested it.”

“I’m a big girl. It was my decision.” Paige rearranged the cutlery on the table.

“But you also went because you care about Zach and wanted to make sure he and Marie weren’t an item. Am I right?”

Nodding, Paige folded and refolded her napkin. “You’re right, and I still don’t know. If they weren’t before, they probably will have full reign now. I’m so stupid.” Paige sighed. “Can you believe Trent was in the same airport at the same time? What are the odds?”

Emma steepled her fingers as she studied Paige. “I’m not sure how to ask this.” She paused. “Don’t be mad but did you feel any chemistry for Trent? I mean, you two were engaged a year ago.”

Paige took a long sip of wine before answering. “No, chemistry. But I did return his kiss.”

Emma’s eyes bulged. “Oh, my God. You kissed him? Paige!”

“He kissed me in the middle of the night. I was sound asleep and dreaming about Zach. I thought I was kissing him.”

Emma stared at the ceiling. “Yikes, Paige.”

“Tell me about it—” Paige stopped as the server put two salads and heaping piles of steaming pasta on the table. “Let’s eat. Maybe we can hatch a plan if we have full bellies.”

Paige and Emma ate mostly in silence. Feeling embarrassed, Paige said, “I hope you don’t think less of me. This was purely a coincidental accident. I know it sounds shady but it wasn’t.”

Wiping her mouth, Emma said, “You couldn’t disappoint me if you tried. Best friends always stick together. I know it was an accident. I know you didn’t have some planned escapade with Trent.”

“But that’s probably how it looks to Zach. Thanks for your support, though.” Paige set her fork down. “I think I’ll have them box the rest of this up. I’m stuffed.” She yawned. “Everything is falling apart. I hate my job as the station manager, I miss being on the road and attending games, the fans and players think I’m a fraud, and now, I’ve screwed up my budding relationship with the sweetest guy I’ve ever known.” Paige shook her head. “I’ve either got to laugh or cry. My life sucks right now.”

“It does. It truly does suck.” Emma winked. “I never thought my life would be better than my glamorous best friend’s, but here we are.”

Paige threw her balled up napkin at Emma. “Thanks for lightening my mood. Can you also figure out a way for me to get my boyfriend back, and if it isn’t too much trouble, get me back in the career that I love?”

“Let me think about it.” Emma shoved two more ravioli in her mouth. “It’s not like I have anything major going on like a wedding or anything. By the way, this food is scrumptious. I didn’t realize how tired I was of fish sticks, chicken fingers, and mac ‘n cheese.”

“You’re living the dream, Em.” Paige made a motion to the server to bring the bill. “I know you’ve got a lot going on. I’ll figure something out. Maybe I should get my career back on track first so I can go back on the road with Zach.” She rolled her eyes. “Trending was great fun when I went viral a few times, but this kind of trending is as welcome as a guest who overstays by two weeks.”

“You’ll figure something out. Zach will come around.” Emma reached for the ticket. “Why don’t you let me pay this time?”

“Because you have a wedding budget. And I don’t even have a boyfriend.”