Page 78 of Doing It for Love

He did. But if he really is coming home tonight and doesn’t have some brilliant excuse—which is doubtful—then I really should warn Theresa to wear noise-canceling headphones while she sleeps so all the screaming doesn’t wake her.

For now, at least he talked to me.

“He’ll get an earful later.”

“If you say so.”

“Please tell me there will be lots of chocolate at this shower.”

“And presents.”

Praise the Lord. “Okay…” I wiggle my fingers at her. “Please help me up.”

Chapter 24

Theresa and I walk to Penny’s place, since her penthouse is gorgeous and I could use the exercise. The balloons constantly bop us in the back of the head with the wind blowing around. Though I’d take this over enduring Theresa’s driving. I have to cling to the “oh shit” bar for dear life and say, “Red light,” “Crosswalk,” and “Shitshitshitshit,” whenever she cuts off a semi on the highway.

Jaycee is already there, and she gives me a giant hug when I walk in, almost as if she knows something I don’t. So, of course, I immediately start my interrogation.

“Did you see Landon? Did you do reshoots or see Jace and he was there or something because you tell me right now if you know something I don’t because I’m starting to freak out.”

“Starting?” She chuckles, and Theresa rubs my shoulder before tying the balloons to a singular chair in the middle of Penny’s sitting room.

“You’d freak out, too, if your fiancé suddenly went AWOL.”

I nod vigorously, internally thanking my best friend for having my back. Jaycee peels my fingers from her forearm, which I didn’t realize I had in a death grip.

“He called yesterday to schedule a reshoot for a scene, but that’s all we talked about. I had no idea he’d been dodging you until Theresa invited me to an impromptu bridal shower.”

The words knock the wind out of me. Hearing someone else say he’s avoiding me sends blood rushing through my cheeks. My heart sounds in my ears, and I pray to the high almighty that Landon isn’t leaving me. He can’t be leaving me, right?

A chink of glass brings all our attentions to Penny at the bar, champagne flute filled to the rim. She sticks her arm straight out to me.

“Drink, chill, and you can Landon-bash later.”

I gulp and clear my froggy throat. “How about we bash him now so I get it out of my system? Then I can love him again for the rest of the night.”

Theresa takes the champagne from Penny and raises it. “Okay, I’ll go first.”

Penny fills three more glasses, and we all grab one and follow Theresa’s lead.

“Landon Wangford, my good friend, please stop hurting mybestfriend and learn to use a damn phone.”

“Hear, hear,” I say, nodding and moving my gaze to Jaycee, who’s on Theresa’s left.

“And Landon,” she says, “please stop singing on set, especially when you don’t know the words.”

A smile breaks out on my face. I didn’t know he did that, and really, I don’t fault him for it at all.

“Landon Wangford,” Penny says with a sigh. “You need better friends.”

We all raise our eyebrows at her, and she lifts a shoulder.

“What? He does. Seriously, Jace should’ve kicked his ass out the door and told him to go home and sleep with his gorgeous fiancée. Right? Stupid Jace and his stupid ‘I don’t do commitment’ face.”

I press my lips together and just nod. Apparently her grudge has not dissipated over the last six months since Jace broke it off. At least they’re civil when we all get together.

They all turn to me, and I shake my head. “Oh right, my turn.” I straighten my back, hold my flute out, and take a deep breath.

---