When I arrived at the café at noon, I was greeted by the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries. I scanned the room and spotted Shelly waving at me from a table. But to my surprise, she wasn't alone—James and Conor were also there, seated with her.
Shelly stood up to hug me as I approached. "Hey! So glad you made it!"
I pulled back, looking between them with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't tell me Conor would be here too! Or James!"
Shelly shrugged, a playful smile on her face. "I wanted to see all my friends together! What's the harm in that?"
"Right, because nothing says 'casual lunch' like an unexpected reunion," I joked, taking a seat.
As we settled in, the conversation flowed easily, with laughter punctuating our exchanges. We talked about our lives, the recent book club meeting, and how busy we all were. Shelly, in particular, was full of energy, teasing that she might give birth sooner than expected. "At this rate, I'll be a mom by the end of the week!" she joked, rubbing her belly dramatically.
Conor leaned back in his chair, glancing at me more often than I was comfortable with. "Lily, your face has really changed," he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "You look... different."
Shelly perked up, mischief in her eyes. "That's because Lily has met someone! Maybe a future boyfriend?"
"Stop it! That's not true," I said quickly, feeling my cheeks heat up. "He's just a friend!"
James, sitting across from me, leaned forward with a curious expression. "Oh? So, this friend—what's his name? How did you meet?"
"Yeah, spill the details!" Shelly chimed in, clearly enjoying this turn of events.
I sighed, trying to brush it off. "We just talked after book club. There's nothing going on, I promise."
"Sure, sure," James said, grinning as he leaned back. "But what if he's the one? You've got to tell us more than that!"
The teasing continued, but I couldn't help but smile at the lightheartedness of the moment, grateful to be surrounded by friends—even if it was a bit overwhelming.
YOU ARE READING
The best man
ChickLitLily and Conor have been inseparable since their university days, bound by a deep friendship that has weathered the test of time. While Conor appreciates Lily's presence in his life and the comfort of their relationship, he remains oblivious to the...
