someone who makes her happy, but right now, I need a normal day with my best friend. Instead, I’ve never felt so alone, like a fish swimming against a current with no relief in sight.
“I guess I’ll just go by myself today.”
“No. Don’t do that. I’m sure this will clear up over the weekend. We’ll go next week.”
I shake my head. “I cleared my schedule for today. With everything else going on, I’m not sure when I’ll have another chance to go shopping. I’ll already be cutting it close to the wedding as it is in regard to the dress being ready in time. I don’t even want to think what Mrs. Bradford will have to say if I skip today.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Brook. I hate that I’m letting you down.” She reaches for me, and I take her hand in mine.
“You’re not, Molly. I promise. You’re turning food into a human. You need to take care of yourself and my nephew. That’s more important than you watching me try on dress after dress. I’ll just go by myself and text you the photos.”
“Okay.” Her lips turn into a frown, her remorse-filled expression making it obvious she hates having to miss today as much as I hate she can’t be there. I give her a reassuring smile and begin to retreat when she calls out, “Brooklyn, wait! You don’t have to go by yourself.”
I turn back toward her, giving her a skeptical look. “Who d’you have in mind? Gigi?”
“Drew can go with you.”
On a quick inhale, my eyes widen. I’m already questioning my decision to marry Wes. The last thing I need is to have Drew with me as I try on dresses for my wedding to another man. The idea doesn’t just make me uncomfortable. It makes my stomach churn. Yes, to the outside world, Drew’s just a friend. I’ve been fooling myself to think we can ever truly just be friends. Our history is too tainted.
“You’re not doing anything today, are you?” Molly looks at her brother.
“I have to pick up the girls at two,” he answers, his quick response evidence he’s just as uneasy about the idea.
“She’ll be done before then.” Molly glances at me. “Won’t you?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Then it’s settled.” Her face brightens, at complete odds with the misery prevalent just moments ago. “Drew, you’ll take Brooklyn.”
I lift my eyes to his, fidgeting with my hands. “I’m sure you have plenty of other things to do today. There’s no reason for you to waste it shopping with me. You don’t have to come.”
“Yes, he does.” Molly grits out a smile, giving Drew what I can only refer to as “the look”. I’ve seen it before, usually on Aunt Gigi’s face. She’s a master at “the look”, and Molly learned it from her. “If you thought I was a pain in the ass in an argument before, you haven’t seen anything now that my hormones are out of whack. If you don’t take Brooklyn, it could be the start of the zombie apocalypse.”
She shifts her hardened stare between the two of us, a long moment passing while we both struggle to come up with a valid reason this is a bad idea, one Molly won’t read too much into. I want to tell her my friendship with her brother is a ticking time bomb, but I don’t. I stay silent, like I always do. A part of me does like the idea of spending the day with Drew.
“Well, since I don’t have my ax or machete handy,” Drew begins, facing me, “we should probably do as she says.” His lips lift in the corners, his slight smile chipping away at my annoyance with the situation.
“And since I don’t possess any skills that would help me survive a zombie invasion, I suppose I have no choice, either.” I glance at my watch. “But if we’re going to do this, we should get going. My first appointment is in a half-hour.”
Drew gestures toward the front door. “After you.”
“Thank you.”
“Have fun, you two,” Molly calls out as we walk toward the entryway and into the crisp air.
As I make my way down the front steps, a hand lands on my lower back. Drew probably doesn’t even realize he did it, this gesture common between us, but the warmth of his hand on me makes my breathing increase, my cheeks heat, my body hum. Every inch of me sparks to life, a rush I haven’t felt since