Page 80 of Party Favors

After the vows had been exchanged, the newlyweds made their way to the front door of the cathedral to greet the waiting crowds. A massive cheer broke out as they emerged outside and waved to everyone. After a couple of minutes, they got into the carriage and drove off to their reception. I turned the TV off, as I knew from past experience that there would be nothing else to report. All the activities beyond that point would be private for the families.

“That was so great,” I said as I let out a happy sigh. “I bet my mom’s going to call me soon to recap.”

It had just been a passing comment, me thinking out loud, but Max took that as some kind of signal that I was throwing him out.

“I should get going,” he said as he stood up.

“Oh.” I was going to tell him not to leave, but then he went and dropped a nuclear bomb on me.

“I’m assuming today it’s going to be another busy day for you.”

I nodded. “Yes. Like always. But who needs sleep?”

“Most people do,” he said with a smile.

“What about you? What are your plans today?”

“Take a run with Basta, relax for a little bit, and then I have dinner plans with Arabella.”

It was like he’d taken a dagger and plunged it directly into my heart.

Dinner plans with Arabella?

Stunning ex-girlfriend Arabella?

I was nauseous. I was going to throw up my zeppoles all over him.

I must have made a face that reflected my feelings because he rushed to add, “She’s here in the city and she offered to get together and return some of my things.”

Well, she didn’t need to take the man on a date to give him back his stuff. And what did she need to return that he’d managed to live without just fine for the last few months?

It was an excuse to see him again. I understood it, I did, but the fiery inferno of jealousy currently consuming me made it so that I felt completely irrational.

I knew I couldn’t say anything, though. Friends did not get mad when their friends had dinner with gorgeous supermodels.

If anything, I should probably be high-fiving him and telling him good luck.

Was this why he hadn’t called or texted yesterday? Because he was havinglet’s get back togetherconversations with his ex?

Yet another entry for my list of reasons that he and I could not be together—he was still hung up on Arabella.

Resigned to reality, I stood up and nodded. I was going to take a high road here. Maybe notthehigh road, because that would probably consist of telling him to enjoy himself for something that was beyond my current capabilities, but I could take a road near that one.

“That sounds like fun.” It did not sound like fun, but that was between me and my brain. “Do you want me to pack up your food?”

“No, you and Vella enjoy.” He called for Basta and she got to her feet and came over to him. He clipped her lead into place and I walked them over to the door. He said, “Hey, be sure you don’t step in front of any cars today.”

I didn’t know if I was ready to joke, considering the information he’d just given me.

“Bye,” I said, feeling proud of myself for not melting down over Max having dinner with his ex. “And bye to you, Basta.” I got down on the floor to rub her head and she gave me cute doggy kisses that made me laugh.

“I’m so glad you like her,” he said. “It would be really awkward if you didn’t.”

“Of course I like her,” I said as I straightened up. “She’s the most adorable dog ever.”

With a grin Max said, “I was talking to Basta.”

Vella found me surrounded by a graveyard of half-eaten pastries, snoozing on the couch.

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