I couldn’t believe the outfits I was pulling out of that bag. Practically every label was designer, and most of the stuff was unworn, brand-spanking-new, with tags!
I was squealing in delight, giddily checking out my beautiful new wardrobe. “Oh my God. You’re like my favorite person in the world right now. You know that, right?”
Lis put her hands to her hips. “And just exactly what was I before, you bitch?”
I cracked up and met her back in the kitchen, where she handed me a glass.
We looked at each other, not knowing where to begin. There was just so much to celebrate.
“To the baby,” I finally started in.
“To your interview!” she added.
My stomach dropped just thinking about it. Not just because of the possible boon to my career, but for the fact that I was going to see my old boyfriend within a matter of hours. The thought freaked me out, but I was careful not to show it.
“To new clothes!” I added with an excited grin.
“Don’t rub it in. To your impending career-related perks.”
“Wishful thinking. To the Knicks making the playoffs!”
“That’s really wishful thinking. To first loves.”
“Yes, of course. To you and Pickford.”
“And you and Trip.”
“Lis, cut it out.”
“What?”
I knew what she was trying to do, but it wasn’t going to work. “Just don’t, okay? I’m already nervous enough about having to see him again. I don’t need the constant reminder. Anyway, that stuff between me and him was over a long time ago.”
“Oh. So, we’re just supposed to not discuss it? Are you really trying to tell me you’re not the least bit excited about this whole thing? If you’re so over it, why is it bothering you so much?”
“I’m engaged.”
She rolled her eyes, playfully dismissing such an “insignificant” circumstance. “Yeah. Engaged. Not dead. C’mon, give an old married fatty a vicarious thrill. I’m counting on you to jump Trip’s bones tomorrow and then tell me everything about it afterward. If the story’s even close to the first time you two got it on, I’ll be happy. Please. I need this.”
I almost did a spittake, cracking up. “You’re insane!”
“No, I’m married. Big difference. Well, not really, I guess. Look, the point is, I will never know what it’s like to have sex with a movie star. You have to do this, okay? Please, I’m begging you. For me.”
I slammed down my drink in one shot and then went over to the counter to fix another, laughing hysterically. “Lisa Marie DeSanto Redy. I will not sleep with my ex-boyfriend just so you can get some twisted, perverted, secondhand kick out of it. This is just like that time you made me watch The Exorcist while describing the whole movie over the phone because you were too afraid to watch it yourself. I’d like to remind you that this is my life you’re playing with here.”
“No it’s not.”
“What?” Her comment made me stop laughing, because I already knew what was coming. God help me, I already knew.
“How can it be your life when I’m not even a part of it? How can you seriously consider marrying this guy?”
And there it was.
Suddenly, what started out as a funny conversation had unexpectedly turned serious.
“His name is Devin, by the way,” I shot back in defense.
The thing was, that was the only ammo I had in my arsenal. She was right. My best friend in the entire world didn’t even know my fiancé. It really was pretty bizarre. I’d had that same niggling concern in the back of my mind when Devin popped the question; realizing that my friends and family had barely even met him. His work kept him so busy, and I truly appreciated his steadfast dedication to his job. Truly. But there were so many things he missed out on because of it. So many family events and dinners out with friends and random Sunday barbeques that went unattended. I’d gotten used to showing up places alone.
I just figured that now that we were engaged, the people in my life would be thrown into the same room with him a million times before the actual wedding. There would be parties in our honor, rehearsals, tux fittings, etc. He’d bailed on making appearances while we were dating, but now that we were going to be married, that would change, right? Lisa would have at least a year to get to know the guy. I didn’t think I’d be able to walk down the aisle if that didn’t happen.
She gave a huff and said, “You haven’t even told anyone but me about the fact that you’re engaged. Don’t you find that a little odd? It’s like you’re trying to keep it a secret.”
“I’m not. I was planning on Devin and me telling my father before Jack’s engagement party.”
“But…?”
When I didn’t respond, Lisa answered for me. “But Devin’s not going to the party, is he.”
I didn’t need to confirm it. She already knew it was true.