Page 83 of The Bad Girl

“Order whatever the hell you want,” I say, handing her a dozen takeout menus. “It’s all paid for by this one.” I hike my thumb at Jenna.

Allison agrees to a cup of coffee while we wait for two dozen pastries to arrive. A ridiculous amount of food for three women but necessary because Allison’s pregnant and couldn’t narrow her options under ten.

“So, what are you doing here? Did your boss—”

“We are not at liberty to discuss Mr. Maxwell Stryder at this time,” Jenna cuts in.

“Oh, okay.”

I cast Jenna an annoyed gaze. “Actually, I am not under contract and can discuss whatever I damn well please.”

Jenna’s mouth gapes.

“As I told you. I was aboard the boat with Mr. Stryder. Thankfully, no one was hurt except the man who perpetuated the bullshit.”

Allison looks from Jenna to me, clearly uncomfortable with the interaction.

“As you said,” I say pointedly to Jenna, “my names about to be dropped anyway.”

Jenna clears her throat. “While it will indeed be dropped, InStryde would like to—”

“Just can it!” I turn to Allison. “Thankfully, InStryde is taking precautions to make sure I’m not a target to anyone. I’m forever grateful to them.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Allison says, her eyes now trained on her fidgeting hands.

Jenna doesn’t even bother to hide the daggers she’s glaring at me.

A knock sounds on the door, and I go to collect breakfast, knowing that I’ve just put my one-time best friend in a tremendously awkward situation.

“So, when are you due?” I hear Jenna ask upon my return.

“In six months,” Allison replies.

“Your husband must be over the moon.”

“Actually, my fiancé is. We get married in five weeks.”

“Oh, wow! You have a busy time coming up!”

I set the pastries down alongside some paper plates and plastic forks.

“Planning the wedding was a piece of cake. I’ve planned fifty different weddings since I was four.”

Jenna arcs a brow. “Really?”

“Yeah, when Naddy and I were kids, we married Kermit the Frog, Garrett Hedlund, Ryan Reynolds, Zac Efron, she had a thing for Brian Austin Green, but that was not my cup of tea! She even married my brother a couple times. I must admit, though, I never planned to have mine while pregnant.”

Jenna’s fake smile widens. “Wow, maybe one day, I’ll call you up to plan mine.” She looks to me and asks, “So are you the maid of honor?”

I smile, disallowing Jenna from seeing just how bothered I am by where the conversation is headed. “No, we actually just reconnected after years apart.”

“Well, Naddy, I was hoping we could talk about that,” Allison says timidly. “After seeing you, I realized how important your friendship was to me, and still is. I know this is rather sudden, and you won’t have to do much, but maybe you could take over as maid of honor?”

I blink, unprepared for what was just asked of me. “But don’t you have one already?”

“Yeah, Stephanie’s great, but she completely understands what this means to me, and to be honest, I think she’s relieved that I’m asking you, and since my brother asked you to go, it makes sense.”

“So, the brother you married when you were a child is your wedding date?” Jenna cuts in.