Page 3 of Bittersweet

“Oh, right.Coffee.”

He lifts the cup and plate from the counter and turns to me. “Samespot?”

I nod and follow him as he heads toward the window. “Samespot.”

He sets my food down on the table and pulls out a chair, resting his hands on the seat back. I sit, and Elio leans in, his voice low and inviting in my ear. “You let me know when you’re ready formore.”

Now.

I’m so ready formore.

He walks around the table to face me. “Let me know when you’re ready for anothercup.”

Nervous laughter bubbles up my throat, and I force my voice to keep level. “Oh, I will. Thankyou.”

He chuckles as he walks back to the counter to serve more customers, and I sigh.Pathetic, thy name isRomy.

I settle into the hard-backed seat and take a mouthful of my coffee.Delicious.My fingers fly over the keyboard as I log in to the café’s Wi-Fi and check my e-mails.

The usual mix of photos from wedding photographers flood in, along with an invitation to a local galleryopening.

But one e-mail catches myeye.

One e-mail makes me stop in mytracks.

I click through, and the text fills myscreen.

KENNA FINDS HERFOREVER

Local celebrity and weather reporter Kenna McPherson has finally said “yes” to her long-time boyfriend, Olympic skier Matthew O’Reilly. The popular presenter has announced that she’s “never been happier,” and that she can’t wait to plan the event of her dreams right here in ColoradoSprings.

Kenna is expected to announce details of her impending wedding on Friday night during her live weather report from one of the trails over at PikesPeak.

Ilook awayfrom the browser window. Holy hotcakes. Kenna McPherson, my best friend from high school, the girl who stole my boyfriend in the twelfth grade, is gettingmarried.

Elio laughs with a customer, the kind of warm, rich sound that’s completely infectious. Bone-meltingly swoon-worthy.Oh God. I have a seriousproblem.

Kenna is getting married. And here I am, sitting in a coffee shop, a dress collecting dust in my spare room, and the current object of my affection barely even knows I’malive.

2

Romy

Dear lovers,

When planning your special day, you may find that you encounter mixed emotions. Perhaps a friend feels she’s been overlooked for a position in the bridal party. Maybe you and the groom-to-be don’t agree on the table decorations. One family member may be refusing to sit next to another family member, and that can be hard toresolve.

This can result in a lot of stress for you, and while a spa day and three mimosas are the obvious cure, not all of us have access to a personal masseuse or an understanding boss who’ll let us drink our way through theday.

My advice? Take the good with the bad. Remember that this day is about you, and you should live in the moment. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Consider instead sweating out any stresses between the sheets with the man or woman you are about tomarry.

Love,

Romy

IhitSubmit on the blog post, then roll my shoulders back and twist my neck from side to side. The door jingles.Emma.My best friend pushes her stroller through the near-empty café and over to my table, a smile on her face despite the lack of sleep I see lurking under hereyes.

“You know what I said to myself on the way here? I wonder what the chances are of finding Romy in the café ogling the hot barista. And surprise, surprise, here youare.”

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