Page 94 of Almost Love

Pie had never been something she considered adding to her menu, but thanks to making the fifty handheld and five larger ones, Clementine liked to think she could pull it off long-term. The trick was getting the crust right and finding the perfect balance with the filling. It took longer than she would have liked,but by the time the wedding rolled around, she had the right recipes on hand.

Hours later, putting on her makeup in the bathroom, Daisy asked, “Why didn’t you bring your guy for the wedding?”

“Because he’s not my guy.”

But he is, isn’t he?

“Please, I saw how he was looking at you. He’s your guy.”

Clementine rolled her eyes and adjusted the shapewear so that she would be comfortable all day. There had been a few moments the night before when she could see that Daisy was itching to ask about Oakley, but hadn’t said anything. Now with them getting ready for the ceremony, there was no escape.

“You know it’s okay to admit that you’re in a relationship with this guy,” Daisy said, walking out of the bathroom. “He’s hot.”

“That’s a terrible reason to admit anything.”

“True, but sometimes being hot is a good enough reason tolikesomeone.”

She grunted and took her turn in the bathroom, leaning over to apply her makeup using the mirror above the sink. With her hair loose and combed back, she put on her earrings and slipped into her dress. It wasn’t her first choice—something that flowed and fluttered around her was preferable—but Mack had picked it when they’d gone shopping a few weeks ago. A dark green bodycon, the dress had a wide open neck and sleeves that stopped below her elbows. It hugged every inch of her body with a slit up the back allowing for easy movement. Clementine had to admit that she looked incredible. In fact, she was tempted to take a picture and send it to Oakley, but decided against it.

She could have asked him to be her date, but at the time, Clementine was trying to set some boundaries. Feelings were flying all over the place, but she couldn’t entirely trust any of it. Her history and the countless heartbreaks that followed madeher wary. He was unlike anyone she’d ever dated or known, but outside of that one time when he said he would fall in love with her, Oakley never brought it up again.

That doesn’t mean his feelings have changed, her brain kindly reminded her.

So far, she’d been enjoying the benefits of their friendship and what he was teaching her. But hewasimportant to her and she was trying to navigate what that meant. It was supposed to be a crush and nothing else. Until he worked his stupid face and beautiful heart into her life, now she didn’t want to chase him off. She didn’t need someone to make her feel beautiful or sexy; Clementinewasall those things. However, Oakley made her see herself differently and she was starting to enjoy that.

Enough.She blinked away the thoughts and smoothed down her dress. Stepping out of the bathroom to get zipped up, she came to a halt at the sight of Daisy draping herself in a gorgeous yellow saree.

“You look incredible.”

“Why, thanks!” Daisy flipped her hair over one shoulder and did a dramatic twirl, showing off the pallu covered in embroidered flowers. It was the most Daisy thing and against her dark brown skin, the saree glowed.

When she turned to face Clementine, Daisy’s eyes widened. “That’s what’s hiding under those chef coats? Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.”

Despite the eye roll, she did a twirl of her own. Then gathered her hair over one shoulder with her back to Daisy, who zipped up the dress and straightened it out as well.

“Ifyour guysaw you right now, he’d be completely obsessed with you.”

“Good thing he’s not here then.”Even if you wish he was.

Oakley

Waking up without you was terrible for me too.

Judging by the timestamp, that text had come in as the ceremony was beginning. Clementine had ignored the buzzing in her clutch at the time, focusing on her gorgeous friend standing up there with the love of her life. Once the newlyweds were inside the house somewhere, she’d stepped to the side to check her phone just as he sent more texts.

Oakley

I was so sad about you not being here, I went back to bed.

Woke up again and you’re still not here.

Thought the first time was a nightmare.

Clementine

You’re so dramatic.

Oakley

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