Page 89 of The Wedding Run
She begins to fiddle with buttons while I flip through the instruction manual. It’s in English, but it reminds me of my car manual, which could take me a lifetime to read.
“Did you tell her?” Charlie joins us with a steaming cup while munching on another cookie. Bailey follows, hoping she’ll drop a few crumbs.
“Tell me what?” I ask cautiously.
"Haven't you checked your texts?” Charlie asks.
“We called you like three times this morning,” Elle complains.
“I turned off my ringer,” I admit, not revealing that I was avoiding Derek’s calls. “Is everything okay?”
“Dad wants a family meeting,” Elle says matter-of-factly.
I go very still.
“Probably details about the wedding,” Charlie says, finding what she’s been searching for on her phone. “There’s something else.”
“Show her,” Elle encourages.
Charlie shows me a picture from social media of Derek partying with several scantily clad women. “We thought you should see this.”
She reaches over and places her hand on mine. But I don’t feel anything—not irritation, not anger, not even jealousy. If there is any emotion flitting around like a bumblebee inside me, it’s regret followed closely by the sting of embarrassment.
“Confirmation that I made the right decision.”
Charlie reaches for her teacup. “What about Luke?”
Elle’s blue eyes shine with hope. “Maybe,” she taps the coffee machine, “this is a sign.”
“It’s a sign my father overindulges me. What’s wrong with instant?”
She scrunches up her nose, then starts swaying to imaginary music. “I saw the way you and Luke danced together. What if he’s the one?”
“This is not aFriends’episode,” I argue. “We’re not crustaceans.”
“Lobsters,” Elle supplies.
“Luke’s best friend is Derek,” I explain. “Enough said.”
“He’s not like Derek.” Charlie lifts the teabag in and out of hot water.
Elle studies me. “You’re not telling us something. Maybe we should go after Luke ourselves. At least I could. Charlie’s seeing… what’s his name again?”
Charlie shakes her head. “Not anymore.”
“Really?!” Elle looks intrigued. “We never did meet him.”
Charlie sips her tea and then makes a face. "Exactly."
“We never meetanyof her temporary boyfriends.” I try to shift the focus away from Luke and me, especially since there’s no ‘me and Luke.’
Charlie sets her teacup aside. “I could use a hot date. And Luke… well, heishot.”
They’re teasing me. At least, I think so.
“He had me at, ‘what kind of coffee do you want?’” Elle laughs.
I roll my eyes. “Go for it. He’s not interested in me.”
