Page 40 of No Place Like You

“I was wondering if you’d be my maid of honor. I mean, both you and Carmen would be my maid of honor, so I don’t want to officially assign titles. That doesn’t feel right. It would be just you two. And since Hayden has Dexter and one of his other college buddies, it works out perfectly.”

The tension wrapped around my temple from Nat’s mention of my mom’s suggestion to move me back home has dissolved into pure joy. “Really?”

“Of course,really. I can’t get married without my sisters up there. And I’ll pay for everything. Your dress, your shoes. All?—”

“Nat,” I interrupt her. “I can pay for all of that.”

“I really don’t mind,” she assures.

“No, Nat. I’m going to pay for my bridesmaid stuff. And I’m going to stand up there right next to you and hand you tissues and hold your bouquet.” I pause before adding, “You just let me know whatever you need, and I’ll be your little maid of honor minion.”

She laughs. “Maybe you can help me find a dress both you and Carmen like once we decide on a color scheme. Nothing fancy, just something simple and classy.”

“Yeah, anything you want.”

“I gotta go,” she says quickly. “I got a meeting I have to step into, and I’m meeting Hayden for his suit fitting before he needs to be back at the restaurant.”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye!”

20

Dexter

“How are you feeling?”

A shallow sigh filters through the phone, followed by a pause. “You know, body ache this, nausea that,” Janet answers, the glum tone of her voice doing nothing to hide her sarcasm. “But I haven’t thrown up since the day before yesterday.”

“Progress.”

She gives a defeated chuckle, one that sounds more like a scoff. “I’m actually out with Charles tonight.”

I turn away from the short pick-up counter at Pepper Thai, where I’m waiting for my order to be called. “You up for that? Like, being around people? I thought you weren’t supposed to be out in crowds and stuff. Weakened immune system and all.” She told me this the last time we spoke, brushing it off as a needless precaution from her doctor.

She makes a loudpshhsound through the phone. “I was getting stir crazy. All I do is go to chemo, stay at home and watchReal Housewives, and go to more chemo. I haven’t even been back to the gallery since lastweek after my doctor told me to take a few extra days off. I was craving some strawberry milkshakes and onion rings, so Charles is treating me.”

“At The Lunch Car? You’re in Brooklyn?”

“Mm-hmm,” she answers.

“Just be careful.”

“I will!” she whines. “Do you have plans tonight? You want to join us?”

“I’m getting dinner right now and heading home.”

“Then meet us here.”

“I, uh…”

“Do you have a hot date? Is it Starbucks girl?”

I chuckle.

“You do, don’t you!”

“Janet, I’ll talk to you later. Tell Charles I said hi.”

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