“It’s almost two,” he said, shaking his head and holding up his hand to signal for the check.
“Oh crap.” I didn’t really care. I spent my first two years at the foundation tiptoeing around when I was late, only to eventually discover that no one actually cared when I showed up as long as I did my work. Which, surprisingly, made me slightly more conscientious of my timing. Some kids take the whole bowl of candy when someone leaves a “take one” sign on Halloween—not me. Being late when they weren’t monitoring me felt like stealing. Of course, I was never going to be on time, but I was better about it overall. So I felt no guilt taking a long lunch occasionally.
“I’m late for a client meeting.” The waitress brought the check and he handed her a credit card. I protested that we should split it. “My only wedding expenses are a sixth of the bachelor party costs and renting a tux—and that’s one tux, not five. It’s on me.”
I didn’t argue. “I had a good time,” I told him, as we waited for his card to return.
He smiled. “This was fun. It’s been a long time since I had a female friend.”
“The wife didn’t approve?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t even notice her phasing them out until they were gone. I had two really close friends in college who were girls.”
“Why don’t you reconnect?”
“It’s been too long. And I was a terrible person for letting Lauren do that.”
“It happens. Speaking as someone who’s been phased out by a guy friend’s girlfriend before, I’d welcome hearing an ‘I’m sorry.’”
He looked thoughtful. “Maybe. I’m sure I can find them on Facebook.”
“You’re not even still Facebook friends with them?”
Alex smiled tightly. “Lauren was—well—it wasn’t worth the fight.”
I put a sympathetic hand on his. “Let’s do this again.”
“Definitely.”
When I eventually made my way back to my desk, still smiling, I saw I had an email from Madison—a first. It was to both Amy and me.
Hey future sisters-in-law,
Just wanted to send a quick update since you two are the only bridesmaids who aren’t in town with me. I found my dress—I’m attaching a picture (Amy, it’s the same one I showed you in Mexico). Bridesmaid dress shopping is a little more interesting. Amy, I ordered the one you sent me a link to for yours and it’s adorable. (I found a store near me to try it on—it’s too bad your wedding is after mine or I’d consider it for my shower! I know everyone says they’ll wear their bridesmaid dresses again and don’t, but I really will.) Speaking of the shower, we’re looking at April 17, with a bachelorette party the following weekend on April 23. I know that’s not ideal for you two, so I promise it’s fine if you can’t make it to one or both. You’ll get the official invitations later, of course, but I wanted to put it on your radar just in case. Your mom said she’ll try to come out for the shower, if you want to coordinate.
And finally, dresses for you two! My sister, my cousin, and my best friend are my other bridesmaids. The four of us went shopping last weekend and found a dress that should be flattering on everyone—but I want you to approve it before anyone orders. A couple of salons in your area have it, if you can get by sometime in the next couple of weeks, either together or separately, to check it out and then just let me know what you think? I’m attaching the link below, along with links to the two salons that have it.
Thanks girls!
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Madison
I clicked the link, but my phone rang before the page loaded. “Lily Weiss,” I answered automatically.
“What do you think of the dress?” Amy asked by way of a greeting.
I looked back to my screen. It was a pale-yellow chiffon sheath that just hung straight down.
“I think I’m going to look like Big Bird in it.”
“Right? Ugh, why yellow?”
I looked down at my pasty arm in the three-quarter-length-sleeved top I was wearing. “Guess we’re spray tanning for Mexico.”
“Great, then we’ll look orange against the yellow. She can’t be serious.”
“I thought she was your new best friend?”
Amy ignored me. “And two separate weekends for the shower and bachelorette party? I was going to try to go, but we already went to Mexico for them.”
“That one didn’t sound like any great hardship.”
“Lily, I work at Lululemon and Tyler has a job offer, but he’s still in school now. I don’t have as much money as you do.”
I started to say something snarky about living off our parents, but I stopped myself. Amy was on my side here.
“Ha. You think I have money right now? Do you know how much the dress for my friend Caryn’s wedding cost?”
“How much?”
“Five eighty-five.”
“Shit. Is it cute at least?”
“Nope.”
“Does she secretly hate you?”
I smiled. “I don’t think so. She just lives on a different planet than we do sometimes.”
“I know you don’t like the one I picked, but I tried to keep it in a reasonable price range at least.”
I had no idea she had paid attention to that. “Thank you.” I didn’t deny hating the dress, but I could concede that it might look sweet on someone nearly a decade younger than me. “So when do you want to go try on the dresses?”
“I could go tomorrow morning.”
“I work a nine-to-five.”
“Every day?” I rolled my eyes. She had never held an office job. “Gross. Okay, what about Thursday night?”
“You’re on.”
I typed out a reply to Madison, thanking her for keeping us in the loop and complimenting her dress. I added that I would start looking at flights and see what was doable for her shower as well. I hit “Send,” hoping that my tone was conciliatory enough to make that situation less awkward.
Today was a good day, I thought, leaning back in my chair.
“Lil, did you ever finish updating the website with the HAWC write-up?” Caryn was at my door, a stack of papers in her hand.
“Ugh. No. I’ll do that now.” I glanced at the calendar on my wall. Just six more months until all of this was over and I could go back to having an actual life.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
When I arrived at the bridal salon on Thursday night, Amy was already there. With our mother.
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I said as she kissed my cheek.
“Amy invited me.”
I gave Amy an annoyed look and mouthed, “Why?” Amy shrugged. I did not need a repeat of the “why this dress would look good on someone who isn’t Lily” game today. But wasn’t this whole endeavor pointless anyway? Neither Amy nor I were going to say we hated the dress and make Madison pick a different one, so what did it matter how it fit us?
“What are you going to wear, Mom?” Amy called from the dressing room. The store only had one of the dresses, so we were taking turns trying it on.
“To which wedding?”
“Jake’s. I thought I’d go with you to shop for yours for mine.”
“Why don’t you come with me for both?”
“Ooh okay, fun!” She emerged from the dressing room in the yellow chiffon and did a little twirl. “I don’t hate it.” She studied her reflection in the mirror and bit her lip. “I don’t love it, but it’s fine.”
I looked at her critically, studying how the dress fit her. We were built similarly, but Amy was a little thinner these days. She had been a chubby teenager and worked really hard to maintain her current weight. But the dress was flowy without bulk and looked like it would be cool in the Mexican heat and forgiving of problem areas without necessitating Spanx. And even more thankfully, it had wide straps, so I could wear a normal bra. The color even looked good on Amy, with the remnants of her tan from Mexico.
“It looks good, Ames.”
My mother was biting her lip in an unconscious imitation of Amy’s face. “You don’t like it?” Amy asked her.
“Who are her other bridesmaids?” my mom asked.
“She said it was her sister, her cousin, and a friend?”
“Are they bigger girls?”
I looked at her in alarm. “What?”