not the rule.”
“How many people do you know?” Caleb asked.
“A lot. I lived in Vegas, remember? The capital of drunk friends getting married and then calling things off.” Blake looked at me. “All I’m saying is, the two of you have been friends forever. Do you really want to ruin that for some nookie?”
“That’s surprisingly wise, coming from you,” I joked because I didn’t want to think about what he’d said.
Madeline was my best friend, and I didn’t want to lose her just because we were both a little horny.
What have I done?
Madeline came back, looking the same as when she’d left the three of us earlier.
“Everything good?” I asked her.
“Yep,” she said, getting back on her stool. “Can I get some water?”
“Coming right up.”
“So, what did you and Griffin talk about?” Blake asked her, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she said with a smile.
“Duh. That’s why I’m asking.”
She looked at him over the water I’d poured for her. “And that’s the way we’re going to keep it.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Hey, Madeline, did you get anything good for your birthday?” Caleb said. He was probably trying to change the subject, so Blake would stop bothering her.
“Yes. Lots of money and gift cards. Everyone knows me so well.”
“We know she likes to pick out her own things,” I added.
“Exactly. This is why I have to tell Griffin what to buy me every year.”
“And what did he get you this year?” Caleb asked.
“I couldn’t believe it. He got me—”
“I got her a gift card too.”
She frowned in confusion and looked at me.
I didn’t have the balls to meet her eyes. “In my defense, she didn’t tell me what to get her even though I had asked.” I shrugged. “So, she got a gift card.”
“Boo,” Blake said. “So boring.”
“I know,” I admitted.
I could feel Madeline’s eyes on me, but I avoided them as much as possible. I couldn’t tell her that Blake had worried me. And I didn’t know how to tell her that I thought we shouldn’t sleep together anymore before things went too far. Not after we just had sex. It felt like I was using her even if she had initiated it. I hadn’t exactly put a stop to it.
I licked my lips and caught a taste of Madeline on the upper one. I wished I had taken more time going down on her since it wasn’t going to happen again.
Twenty-Two
Madeline
Friday evening, I was sitting on a plush white sofa, drinking champagne, while I watched Christina do a fitting of her wedding dress.
Her sister and maid of honor, Hope, was running the show, so I was sitting and listening to her go over wedding things.
It sounded exhausting, and if I ever got married, I was going to have a small wedding or get married at the courthouse.
“After Troy’s brother and me, it’ll be you and Griffin, then—”
“I’m sorry,” I interrupted Hope. “What are you talking about?”
“The procession line.”
“I told Hope that Troy and I wanted you and Griffin after the maid of honor and best man. If it wasn’t for the two of you, we wouldn’t have met.”
I grinned. “I love it.” And I loved that I wouldn’t have to walk down the aisle with a stranger.
Hope listed off everyone else as Christina did a couple of twirls in her dress. “Did I get everything correct?” she asked.
“Yes.” Christina turned to look at her sister. “But what if Mom asks to look at the list?”
Hope pulled out another sheet from her binder and grinned. “I got that covered.”
“Can I see?” I asked.
She handed over both lists, and I scanned the names. The first list said I was second after Hope. This one said I was following behind Chantel. “Who’s Chantel?”
“Our cousin,” Hope said. “And Mom is forcing Christina to put her in the wedding.”
“I’m only doing it to make my mom happy. And Chantel is not going to be happy when she finds out that she’s last.” Her smile was a little evil, and I laughed.
“She’s that bad, huh?” I asked.
“Horrible. Stuck-up and has always thought she is too good. I was shocked that she even said yes. The only reason I’d asked her was because I thought she’d say no and it would make my mom happy.”
My phone’s message tone I had set just for Griffin went off in my purse, so I pulled it out.
Griffin: I know we have plans tomorrow, but I can’t make it now.
I frowned.
Me: Can I ask why?
“What’s wrong?” Christina asked.
I looked up.