Page 20 of Bride By Initiation

He shuts the door, gets into the driver's side, then merges into traffic. Five minutes later, I step out in front of the restaurant as Fiona's driver pulls up to the curb.

She exits the car, and we hug. Her eyes light up. "It's about time you returned my text."

I groan. "I'm sorry. You know how I am when I get caught up in work."

She wags her finger in front of me. "Uh, uh, uh. You can't use that excuse all the time."

"I know. I'm sorry. Maybe I should have brought you flowers," I tease.

"That would've been nice. Put it on the list for next time." She winks.

I pretend to be offended. "So much faith in me that there will be a next time."

"Yep. I know you well." She links her arm through mine, adding, "Let's go inside. I'm starving."

My stomach growls. "Me too. I haven't eaten all day."

We step inside, and Fiona points at the sous-chef. "See what I mean?"

I glance over the well-built, dark-haired twenty-something guy. "Not bad."

She wiggles her eyebrows. "You want to sit at the bar?"

I grin. "Lead the way."

We stroll across the restaurant, grab seats, and the server arrives. She pushes her red hair behind her ear. "Hey, ladies. What can I get for you to drink?"

"I'll have a prosecco," I state.

"Same," Fiona says.

"Great." She sets two glasses of water on the counter and grabs menus. She puts them in front of us and declares, "I'll be back with your drinks."

"Thank you," we both say.

Fiona turns to me. "So, work's been that bad, huh?"

"You have no idea. I swear I'm cutting my head off if I don't get this promotion."

She scoffs. "Yeah, well, Skyler's been on the rampage."

I tilt my head and furrow my brow. "Why? You usually don't have any issues with her."

"Not with me, silly," Fiona says, slapping my arm.

Relief hits me. "Oh. Well, what are you talking about?"

"It's intern season," she tells me in an annoyed voice.

"Ah, you got some good ones again, huh?"

She shakes her head. "Nope! Not one! I don't know why Skyler keeps bringing these interns in. All they do is screw up our stuff, year after year, and then I get to fix it before fashion week."

"She's lucky to have you."

Fiona shrugs. "I shouldn't complain. I have the best job on earth, and Skyler's such an awesome boss."

"Yeah. I suppose every job has its ups and downs. So, how are things with you and Marcus?"

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