Page 65 of How to Break My Heart 1

“Third, and the Mad Hatter at this point,” Maddy mutters, rolling her eyes. “She’s gone full mother-of-the-groom mode. Myles is her only kid, and she’s milking it for all it’s worth.”

I chuckle. “And you’re the perfect future daughter-in-law, smiling through it all.”

Maddy laughs, but there’s a weariness in it. “I try, but she’s pushing every button. I mean, who needs three tea parties to plan a wedding?”

“Maybe she’s just excited.” I try to keep a straight face, but Maddy sees right through me.

“Excited?Excited?Eva, she has this massive binder for table placements alone.”

“Sounds like you’re in for quite the ride,” I say, shaking my head. “If you need a break, you know where to find me.”

“Trust me, I’ll take you up on that.” She sighs, clutching Aston’s keys like they’re the lifeline she really came for.

For the rest of the week, I busy myself with wedding preparations.

The flowers take forever, but I manage to order everything from the bouquets to the arrangements for the ceremony and reception.

Billie offered to bake the cake, and given that she’s great with desserts, I took her up on the offer with Maddy’s approval. Then, the pastry chef at the Grand Honey Lodge insisted he bake the cake and threw a tantrum when Maddy mentioned Billie making the cake. What we both didn’t know was that Georgina had already discussed it with him. Honestly, it wasn’t worth the stress, so I encouraged Maddy to just let him do it to avoid any further conflict.

Now, with those details sorted, the next major item on the list is dress shopping—a task I dread more than anything. It’s not that I dislike wearing a dress—it’s just that once I find one, I prefer to stick to it. The thought of trying on endless gowns and parading in front of others under the unforgiving lights of a dress shop makes me want to crawl into a hole and hibernate until it’s all over.

But Maddy is my best friend, and as her maid of honor, I need to be present with a smile on my face.

The wedding dress shop is about forty-five minutes away, two towns over. It’s owned by a friend of Georgina’s—apparently, they’re bridge partners. Of course, that connection only adds another layer of pressure to this whole dress-shopping ordeal.

We take a seat on the white bouclé sofas as an assistant serves us champagne. Aside from Georgina and Patricia, two of Myles’s cousins join us. One of them being Ramona.

The owner, Helena, takes dresses to the back changing room for Maddy to try on. I know exactly what she wants and doesn’t want, so hopefully, she will find the dress here because I have checked, and Helena can make alterations, even given the short notice.

We chat among ourselves, mainly about dresses and fabrics. It’s all civil until Georgina, out of nowhere, says, “So, Patricia, I hear your son is single. Quite the handsome boy.”

“I’m not quite sure, Georgina. My son likes to keep his private life private.”

I pretend to be busy on my phone but listen attentively to this conversation. Considering I haven’t heard from Aston for almost a week, I’d also like to know what’s going on.

“Ramona, dear,” Georgina calls out softly. “Perhaps the two of you should have dinner. You’re not getting any younger, my love.”

Ramona flattens her lips, then sighs. “I could reach out, I guess.”

“Why not do it now?” I say loudly, the sarcasm lingering in the air. “I’m sure he will agree to dinner. He is single and ready to mingle.”

I don’t know where that came from, but I want her to text him to see if he responds.

“You think I should do it now?” Ramona asks, reluctance clear in her voice. Her fingers fidget with the edge of her sleeve, twisting the fabric nervously. “At the lunch, he seemed preoccupied.”

“Seize the day,” I tell her before releasing a breath. “If you’re nervous, I’ll do it for you. Pass me your phone.”

Surprisingly, Ramona hands me her phone. Quickly, I type a message but realize that if I want him to respond, it can’t be too needy, or he’ll get spooked. It’s not like I want him to go on a date with Ramona. Actually, that thought makes my stomach turn.

But I commit to the damn challenge like a child.

“How about this…” I announce while typing. “Hey, would you like to catch up for dinner or drinks? Myles’s mother suggested I text you. Kisses, Ramona.”

“Kisses?Don’t you think that’s a bit…forward?”

I shake my head. “Forward is you wanting to go home with him at lunch last week. This is fine.”

Ramona’s eyes widen, but no one else appears to hear as the curtain to the dressing room opens. Maddy carefully walks out in a sweetheart pleated-satin corset dress with a chapel train.