“But it is the point,” Blair protested. “It’s exactly the point.” She put her hand on the counter and leaned forward. “Since when have you ever paid attention to anything the least bit sci-fi?” She turned to Libby. “And when did you start having guys as friends?” She waited for a moment, then pressed on, as if delivering a rousing closing statement in court. “You two have relationships I don’t understand. Have I been judgmental?”
“Yes,” both of her friends said simultaneously.
“Okay,” she agreed. “I have. But you still have them anyway, right? Live and let live—isn’t that your motto, Libby?”
She grimaced. “Not exactly . . .”
“Close enough. But isn’t it hypocritical of you guys to judge me when you’re doing exactly what you want? Why can’t I?”
They exchanged exasperated looks, then Megan turned to Blair. “You’re right, in a way. But we’re both happy. You’re not.”
“I am—”
Megan’s eyes narrowed. “Please don’t insult us. We know you too well for that.”
Blair sighed and stood upright. “Just because Neil and I don’t hold hands and make out in public doesn’t mean I’m not happy. Everyone has their own definition of happy.”
“And what’s yours?”
She’d never really asked herself that question before. “Winning every case and making partner.”
“And?”
She shrugged. “Probably buying a house and doing some traveling.”
Megan’s eyes pierced hers. “Where does Neil fit into this?”
Blair groaned. “He’s part of it.”
“Yet you made no mention of him.” Megan held up her hands when Blair started to protest. “Do you love him?”
Blair didn’t answer. She knew Megan and Libby didn’t understand her feelings for him, but she wasn’t like them. She didn’t expect them to understand.
Megan looked hopeful. “And what about Garrett?”
Blair’s back stiffened. “Why are we back to him?”
“Even if Josh hadn’t caught you guys in this kitchen, it’s plain as day he’s still interested in you. And I can tell you still feel something for him. So can Libby.” Megan continued to stare at her, waiting for some sort of response. “What are you going to do about it?”
A molten core of anger erupted in her then. “I’m not going to do a damn thing about it. I’m getting married, Megan, in case you didn’t get the clue from the gold embossed invitation and the taffeta bridesmaid dress.”
Libby exchanged a look with Megan before turning toward Blair. “We want you to rethink this wedding.”
“Why?” she asked, sounding snotty. “Because you don’t approve of the way I reacted to Neil’s kiss?”
“Blair,” Libby sighed.
She shook her head. “Our relationship isn’t based on passion and hormones. I’ve already told you that. Many times.”
“And each time I keep hoping you’re pulling my leg. That’s no kind of relationship at all.”
“I’ve done the whole can’t eat or sleep, let the guy consume your every thought relationship, and look how that turned out.”
“Blair,” Megan said, lowering her voice. “You can’t give up on love because you got your heart broken one time.”
“Yes, I can.”
Silence and tension hung heavy between them.
“You never told us much about Garrett,” Megan said. “You were busy in law school. Libby was in graduate school. I was out in Seattle. All we knew was that you were dating this really awesome guy, and then he dumped you to play the field.”
Blair shrugged. “What more is there to say?”
“Surely there’s more to it.”
“What do you want me to say, Megs? That I must be a bad lay?”
“Blair!” Megan gasped. “No.”
“Look,” Libby said. “I think what Megan is trying to say is that the guy is still very interested in you. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you the entire evening.”
Blair tilted her head back and groaned. “He’s only acting like that because Neil’s my fiancé. They hate each other. Garrett Lowry doesn’t do relationships. Remove Neil from the equation and he’s gone.”
Megan looked into Blair’s eyes. “So remove Neil from the equation.”
Her body stiffened. What if she did remove Neil from the equation? What if she said to hell with it all? So, she’d lose her job. She’d earned a reputation she could use to her advantage. True, it wouldn’t be in Kansas City, which would mean she’d have to move. It wasn’t the end of the world. But the moment she let herself really consider it, paralyzing fear overcame her. To cancel the wedding now would humiliate her in front of everyone. And Blair couldn’t willingly risk humiliation.
This was beyond ridiculous. A week ago she was perfectly content with her life. Wasn’t that proof enough to leave things the way they were?
Her jaw tightened as she stared at her friends. “I’m getting married this weekend. My career depends on this wedding going smoothly. This is not up for discussion.”
“Your job depends on this wedding, not your career. You can go somewhere else, Blair,” Libby said, echoing her thoughts of a moment ago. “In fact, maybe you should. What kind of company forces their employees to get married in order to make partner?”
Blair took a step backward. “I know you two don’t understand, but I ask that you support my decision. Can you do that?”
Both women looked up at her with sadness and sympathy, which killed her even more. Sympathy meant they saw her as weak. Weak meant vulnerable. She couldn’t afford to be either.
“Yes,” they finally said in unison.
“We’re here for you, no matter what,” Megan added.
“Thank you.” Blair picked up the cake on the counter and headed for the back door. “Now it’s time to go back to the party.” And back to the nightmare that had become her life.
Chapter Seventeen
Garrett watched the three women practically run into the house. Maybe he’d gone too far.
Noah patted his arm and tilted his head toward the back door, chuckling. “That’s a good thing.”
Was it? He knew he had to knock Blair out of her comfort zone to reach her, but it killed him that he was hurting her in the process. If he only had more time . . . but he didn’t.
Lost in thought, it took him a moment to realize that Neil was standing in front of him, his eyes dark with anger. “We need to talk.”
Garrett rose from his chair and stood face to face with his cousin. “I agree.”
Josh and Noah got to their feet as well. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Josh said.
“No,” Nana Ruby barked. “You two go talk out your differences.”
“Oh, for goodness sake,” Dena groaned. “Please tell me that you two aren’t going to duke it out over that stupid ring.”
Neil’s eyes hardened. “We’re fighting over something, all right.”