Page 22 of Stay With Me

“Fine, I’ll go. Just tell me when and where.” I skim through a few more pages of gowns and destination honeymoon landscape photos before stopping to admire a gorgeous dress covered in lace.

I came over after work since she had a gap in her schedule and Fisher was still working. It’s rare I get her to myself since the lovebirds are attached to each other’s hips, so I took full advantage when she texted and asked me to come over.

“Friday, two o’clock at Murphy’s.”

I pause.That’s in three days.

But she’s my best friend, and as her maid of honor, I can’t say no to her.

“Got it.” I program it into my phone calendar, then ask, “Anything else comin’ up? I wanna make sure I don’t miss it.”

She’s been planning this wedding since they got engaged four months ago. Now they’re only one month out and close to the wire of getting the final touches done.

“Final dress fitting is in two weeks, so if you’re gonna lose or gain weight, do it now or prepare to suck in your gut.”

I snort at the memory of our last fitting. “I told the seamstress to make it super tight. Thegirlswill be on proper display.” Sitting up, I wave a hand over my chest and arch my back.

Noah shoots me a glare, but the corner of her lips curls up, so I know she’s not mad.

“What?” I shrug. “I haven’t been laid in over a year. Sue me.”

“Over a year? Goddamn.”

“Tell me about it. I’m desperate.”

“No, you’re not. You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and a successful businesswoman. Any man would be fuckin’ lucky to have you. Don’t you dare settle for anything less than perfection.”

“Notanyman…” I murmur.

“Tripp’s dealin’ with his issues and one day he’s gonna realize what a good thing he missed when you’re plannin’ your dream wedding. It’ll be too late, and he’ll have to wallow in his consequences.”

It’s not that I haven’t tried with Tripp. I’ve given him so many signs throughout the years about how I’m interested in him, but there comes a certain point where I have to protect my dignity and stop chasing a man who doesn’t want to get caught.

At this rate, it’s just embarrassing.

I’ve tried to accept it and move on, but my heart still flutters like a teen girl crushing over a boy in middle school. If he’d stop stealing glances and staring at my lips like he wanted a taste, I’d believe he didn’t want me, too.

For whatever reason, he just won’t allow himself to give in to what we both want.

“Have you started writin’ your speech?” she asks.

“I have to give a speech?” My brows rise to my hairline.

“You’re my maid of honor, so yes. Damien will give a best man speech, and then you’ll give yours.”

I grab my phone and click on my notes app that’s filled with other silly moments, then start typing out more with a chuckle. “This is gonna be so good. You’ll be sorry you reminded me.”

“Magnolia…”

Her warning tone doesn’t scare me.

“This is twenty years of friendship in the makin’. All the dumb shit we’ve done and have been through. It’s gonna be the most epic speech.”

“It’s supposed to be about me and Fisher,” she reminds me, but I wave her off.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll throw some of that lovey-dovey soulmates crap in there, too. But the real fun will be all the embarrassing shit you did before you met him.”

She walks off with a groan. “You’re fired.”