“Yes, I love that one! It’s perfect and looks so natural. The only thing it’s missing is you in there with us.”
“I have the satisfaction of knowing this picture was taken when I was talking about butt stuff.”
Cabernet nearly shoots out of my nose, but I manage to choke it back down. “Jesus, give a girl some warning.”
“I can’t help that we’re like twelve-year-old boys when it comes to that.” She giggles.
“Oh, for sure.” I point out a few more that she should definitely use. By the time we get through half of them, she has a notebook page full of image numbers. Hanging out with her was just what I needed tonight.
“So, you gonna tell me what had your panties bunched in a big old knot when you showed up, or am I’m gonna have to beat it out of you?”
I roll my eyes and huff. I swear this glass of wine is never-ending because I need more alcohol in my system to discuss this. “Robert.”
She doesn’t make a face or react, but just listens to me as I explain my frustrations and insecurities. As I talk, Everleigh grabs an empty glass and the bottle, then returns to the couch. She refills mine and pours her some too.
“And I understand he wants me to be involved in his work, but you’re well aware of how I feel about a big crowd. Especially when they put me at the center of attention. I want to throw up.”
“You hate it. Always have.”
“Right! It makes me anxious, and I always have to answer the same questions over and over. It’s just, I dunno, it makes me feel weird—like I’m a prop in his business deals,” I admit.
“Like you’re playing a part.”
“Right, like an actress showing up to a movie set whose character is married to the rich and famous, living a glamorous lifestyle.”
Everleigh glances down at the big ass ring on my finger, then shrugs before sucking down half of her glass. “If the ring fits, though, right?”
Groaning, I lean my head against the couch. “I wanted a simple life with a husband and a couple of kids. Though I knew how important Robert’s career was before we got engaged, entertaining people has become an every week occurrence now.”
“He’s definitely driven. But aside from that, when’s the last time you two did it?” she blurts out.
I close my eyes, trying to remember, but it’s been too long. “Weeks. Fuck, maybe months. He’s been so busy with clients, contracts, golfing—and that doesn’t include my schedule. By the time we’re actually alone, we’re both exhausted. I know it’s stupid to think this, considering he’s the one who’s eager to have me live with him, but sometimes, I don’t feel like a priority to him.”
The realization has me burning from the inside out, and I feel smothered by my thoughts. The only thing that saves me from drowning is Everleigh placing her hand on mine.
“Gemma. Are you absolutely, without a doubt, positively sure you want to marry him? It’s not too late to change your mind. Everyone would understand.”
I pause, not sure how to respond. No one has really questioned me about our relationship, and everyone has been supportive. Even my dad is caught in Robert’s web.
“Well…” I swallow hard, trying to find my words.
“You’re hesitating.” She arches a brow.
“I don’t know.” I shrug, lowering my eyes as I hold back tears. “Things have been off between us, and maybe they have been for a while, but I’m just now seeing it. He’s pushy about me moving in with him, and since we don’t get to see each other much, he thinks living together will give us more quality time.”
“And what do you think? Will moving in with him change that? Or will he still be too exhausted to spend alone time like he claims? Do you see things getting better once you’re married, or will you feel stuck?”
I empty my glass, wishing the alcohol would hit my system faster. “I really don’t know.”
“Listen, I just want you to be happy. You’re my best friend, Gemma. I don’t doubt that you love him, but I don’t know if you’re in love with him or just the idea of it. Maybe you need a vacation because all the stress of the wedding is catching up to you. It happens!” Everleigh grabs the bottle and pours more into my glass.
But does it? Is this stress, or is there an underlying issue?
“I wouldn’t say no to a vacation,” I say, grinning. “Mimosas by the beach, suntanning, and the ocean breeze. Hell, let’s plan a girls’ trip. No boys allowed.” Especially no ex-lovers.
“Sign me up for that!” Everleigh gives me a high five. “Well, my best guess is that you’re just having wedding day nerves. What do you think?”
I shrug with a frown. “How can it be nerves when it’s so far away?” I don’t even have much to do since Robert hired a wedding planner.
“It’s still a huge fucking change. And it’s a forever contract. Hell, I’m nervous just thinking about it, and I’m the most eligible bachelorette in Lawton Ridge. I’ll probably be single with four dogs by the time I’m forty.”
Her exaggeration makes me snort. “No, there’s Old Lady Annette and her thirteen cats. Speaking of, where’s Sassy?”
Everleigh is full-on laughing, the kind that makes her nose scrunch. “Annette was promiscuous back in the day, though. I heard stories of her breaking three different men’s hearts at once. Guess she realized she was too good for them. But if I ever get that many dogs, trust me when I say it’s a cry for help.” She gulps her wine. “Oh, Sassy’s sleeping on my bed. She was tired and put herself to bed.”
“Well, there’s no denying her name fits.” I chuckle, which feels good, considering the conversation we’re having.
“It sure does.” The room grows quiet except for the sound of Everleigh chewing popcorn.
“Robert met Tyler today,” I say. I don’t know what possesses me to even bring it up, but I need to get it off my chest.
Her eyebrow pops up, and she repositions herself with a smirk. “And?”
“And Robert asked if there had been anything between us in the past.”
“Oh, God.” She grins. “What’d you say?”
I bury my face in my hands and exhale, then look at her. “Well, I cut him off before he could fully ask, but I knew where he was going with it. So I didn’t technically lie, but I just didn’t tell him the truth.”
“Why not? Everyone has past relationships. He can’t get mad about that.”
“Because I think he’d be jealous and insecure about us working together. How fucking stupid is that, though? I mean, come on…” I turn my hand around, show her the ring, and she grins.
“That’s hilarious.”
I tilt my head at her. “No! It was awkward.”
“Well, maybe it’s time to come clean about your previous relationships. It’s not like he didn’t date a decade before you were even legal.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s not that old.”
“At least men get better looking with age while women have to put on under eye cream and slather ourselves in lotion to look young. Hell, if Leonardo DiCaprio showed up at my door, I’d give him the time of his life, and nothing would be off-limits. I’d let him draw me like a French girl any day of the year.” She releases a dreamy sigh, and I laugh at her Titanic reference.