Page 40 of Little Gray Dress

Right, then it hits me: not the alcohol, the burrito. I barely make it to the bathroom before the burrito and everything I’ve drank tonight decides to make an appearance.

I don’t remember sleeping the next few hours on the bathroom floor but I’m awoken by Jack, using the toilet in the same way I last remember using it.

“I’m never drinking again,” he moans, lying down next to me. “Why are you in here?”

“Bad burrito last night.” We both lie on the floor for the next hour until Jack finally feels well enough to take a shower and get dressed.

“Wedding is in eight hours.” He stands at in the doorway looking as handsome as ever in his cargo shorts and a white t-shirt. It’s like he didn’t just have the first hangover of his life.

“I’m so sick,” I cry from the floor, wishing I’d never have gone to that burrito stand with Evan yesterday. “Is Evan sick?” He’d better be; it’s only fair.

“I dunno, sweetie. I’ll go get you some aspirin and find out.”

I hear the door open a few minutes later, but it’s not Jack’s flip-flops in front of me, it’s Evan’s chucks. “What the hell? Jack said you’re sick from the burrito yesterday?”

“You’re not?”

“Nope… I feel great.”

“You’re a disgusting human being.” I push his calf in an attempt to force him out of my bathroom.

“Why’s that?”

“Because you screw everything.”

“Oh, come on now… not everything, I have some standards.” His sly smile makes me feel even sicker.

“I brought you Evan’s hangover cure.” Jack walks in behind Evan. “Come on…” He helps me walk to the bed and sits a tray of burnt toast, juice, and aspirin in front of me. “Eat, and I’m sure you’ll feel better.”

I don’t. I throw up until Lily forces me to get dressed for the wedding. I sit still like a statue while she fixes my hair and makeup and Jack practically carries me to the beach and down the aisle. I’m just glad I make it through the vows, all the while holding the prettiest trash-can Lily could find, my bouquet taped to the front of it, without having to use it. I manage to save that until just after the ceremony. Then miraculously, as quickly as it comes on, it’s gone.

“That was a miserable time, wasn’t it?” Jack asks the next morning as we pack up our bags to go home.

“Yes. I hope I didn’t ruin Lily’s day?”

“She’s as happy as she’s ever been, Ems, so it’s safe to say you haven’t.” He walks over to me, pulling me away from my suitcase and out to the balcony with him. “I heard what you said last night about wanting to get married on the beach.”

For a second my heart stops and my ears turn scalding hot. “You did?” Why did I mention it out loud? Every girl knows not to mention marriage first. It only scares guys away.

“I did. I agree… It would be perfect.”

“It would?” My heart is racing in my chest, wondering if he’s going to ask me to marry him.

“Well… Without the food poisoning and the hangover, yes.”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know if I’m there quite yet, but it’s definitely an idea for the future.”

My heart sinks a bit, and I have to force my face to not show the disappointment I’m feeling knowing this is not him proposing. Not that I was ever really expecting it, but a girl can dream.

“Definitely a great idea for then.”

Chapter Eleven

Present Day

Downtown Portland, Oregon

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