Page 88 of Going Overboard

‘Remind yourself you said that when he’s shirtless, doing press-ups with Neil’s mum on his back,’ I joke – but that’s one of his party tricks, so I wouldn’t be surprised.

‘I should be careful what I wish for,’ she replies.

Kelsey gives me a grateful kind of laugh, but I can tell she’s still worrying so I reach across the table and take her hands in mine.

‘Listen,’ I say gently. ‘No matter what happens tomorrow – rain, bad food, trousers splitting, shirtless bodybuilders – none of it matters as much as what comes after. The wedding’s just a day. The marriage is the rest of your life. And it’s going to be perfect.’

‘Thanks, Jessa,’ she says, squeezing my hands. ‘You always know exactly what to say, to make me feel better.’

‘And you aways know what snacks to buy me,’ I reply. ‘Sfogliatella, you say?’

She nods.

‘I’m going to sneak a thousand home in my suitcase,’ I half-joke.

Kelsey lifts her cappuccino, clearly feeling more like herself again. ‘Just promise me something,’ she says.

‘Anything,’ I reply. ‘What can I do?’

‘No falling in the fountain,’ she jokes. ‘Just get through the wedding dry, like normal people, please?’

I laugh. I wasn’t expecting her to say that.

‘Kelsey, just for you, I will refrain from getting in the fountain – and even if I’ve got form for it, it’s okay, Brody will have my back,’ I promise her. ‘Do they even have one?’

‘I don’t know, but I do know you, and if there’s something to fall in, you’ll find it…’

‘I mean, yeah, you’re talking to the girl who tore a ligament while spectating PE,’ I remind her.

‘You loved that though – you got a note for weeks,’ she points out.

‘Yeah, it was almost worth spending the summer on crutches,’ I say. ‘At least I got to miss sports day.’

‘We’re so different sometimes,’ she says with a laugh. ‘But so similar too. You’re like the sister I never had.’

‘I never wanted a sister,’ I tell her. ‘I don’t know anyone with a sister who makes me feel like that is something I would want. Having you is so much better. We’re not close because we’re related, we opt in, every day, to love and care for each other. The best relationships are the ones we’re in because we want to be.’

‘If they ever invent a wedding or a marriage kind of thing for best friends, I’m popping the question,’ she jokes.

‘Not if I ask you first,’ I reply.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Brody asks you something, before I get the chance to,’ she half teases. ‘He really likes you, you know. I know, I know, I’ve said it before, but I’ve never seen him like this before.’

‘Really?’ I reply, all doe-eyed, because now that we’re sort of together, it really matters to me.

‘Yep,’ she replies. ‘I told you, that bad boy rep, it’s all just the press. He’s a sweetheart and he’s just been looking for the right girl. Nikki was never right for him. But you… you’re perfect. The two of you are perfect together. It makes me so happy, to see you both, and it’s just going to make my wedding even better. It’s the only present I want.’

‘Oh, shall I return the expensive thing I bought from the list you sent around then, because…’

‘Don’t you dare,’ she replies with a grin.

‘I’m only teasing,’ I reply. ‘You can have both – seeing as though you’re my bestie.’

‘Maybe I’ll return the favour one day.’

‘You’ll be my bridesmaid and get with the best man?’ I say. ‘Neil might have something to say about that…’

‘Neil won’t mind at all,’ she replies. ‘Because my bet is that it will be Brody you’re marrying, and Neil will be the best man – and everything is coming together so well.’

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