Page 109 of If My Wishes Came True
I turn to Simone, who’s grinning. “He is so impressed by you, Jenna. I think he might be your biggest fan.”
My eyes go wide. She can’t possibly be talking about her husband, who’s never once cracked a smile in my presence. “Williamis my biggest fan?”
“Oh, yes. I know he has a funny way of showing it, but William’s never worn his heart on his sleeve. If he shows up, though, that means he cares. Otherwise, he’d be back in Denver, working. And he’s here for Charlie, too. William’s proud of both of you.”
“Does your son know that?”
Simone nods. “I made them sit down and talk earlier this afternoon. It was mostly William grunting, and me translating for him, but I think we’re all on the same page now.”
“That’s such wonderful news.” It makes me even more excited for Charlie to get here. But even after Mrs. Sutton joins herhusband, and others begin to arrive, their son’s still nowhere in sight.
In the meantime, Christy and I greet the newlyweds, Vanessa and Asher. They eloped a month ago, on a trip to Hawaii—much to the dismay of their families, who were hoping for a big celebration. But Vanessa had no interest in planning another wedding. And since she and Asher are both eager to start a family, they decided not to wait.
Now the happy couple are talking to Sunny and Dex and, from the looks of it, there’s no bad blood between them. It’s the first time Asher and Sunny have seen each other since she broke his heart in college—but it’s obvious from the smiles on everyone’s faces that everything worked out the way it was supposed to.
“I have to say, I’m feeling a little left out,” someone says behind me and Christy.
“Sammy!” my sister squeals, wrapping her arms around her favorite wingwoman. “Left out? Why?”
Sam hugs me, then nods toward our friends. “Because you guys have all slept with each other. I mean…Sunny’s slept with Asher and Dex, and Vanessa’s slept with Asher and Charlie. And Jenna, you’ve slept with Dex and—where is your hot boyfriend, anyway?”
I shrug. “Running an errand, apparently?”
“Well, if I find out the six of you have some sort of wild sex party after the show tonight, and I’m not invited—I’m going to be very upset,” Sam pouts.
Christy giggles as I bring my palm to my face, smiling. “We will not be having an orgy, Sam. Don’t worry.”
Sam shakes her head. “Never say never! Because, this one time, I?—”
“Auntie Sam!” Sunny says, coming up to us with Stella at the exact right time to spare us the details of Sam’s story.
“How’s my baby girl?” Sam says, taking Sunny’s daughter from her. “You want to walk around? Come on.”
Sunny watches them walk away with a grin on her face—then her brow crinkles. “I’d better follow them. You never know what’s going to come out of Sam’s mouth, and I don’t think she has a lot of experience conversing with babies.”
“That’s probably a good call, considering she was about to tell us about the time she had an orgy,” I agree.
Sunny nods and rushes after Sam and Stella.
When we’re alone again, Christy glances at her watch.
“What time is it?”
“Seven,” she says.
I heave a sigh. “Charlie’s late. I can’t imagine what kind of errand he’s running.”
“He’s not late yet,” my sister insists. “He has another twenty-seven seconds.”
I give a wry laugh. “What are the odds that?—”
And that’s the precise moment Charlie walks through the gallery door.
With my mom.
“Oh my gosh!” My hands fly to my mouth, and I look at Christy. “Did you know about this?”
She shakes her head, looking equally stunned. “I had no idea.”
