Meant to be

The Boys Are Back in Town - Evie

Today is the first of December, which means when I drive back to Mum's house all my siblings will be home to start our tradition, even if things haven't been amazing between us I'm just excited for us to be under the same roof again. I'm hoping that I can do something to change that during this month, or remind them how things used to be, sure, it didn't work last year but I'm getting married in a little over two months things need to change. I can't get married without my family supporting me.

Oh shit I'm getting married in a little over two months.

Maybe it doesn't feel like it because I outsource so much of the wedding planning. Or it might have something to do with the fact I don't want to plan my wedding or become a bridezilla, I'm fine the way I am. Concentrating on work, researching charities, gym and Callie, I have enough on my plate without having to worry or stress about a wedding. Shaking my head I park up outside the patisserie, I'm excited to be meeting with Libby and Piper, it'd been ages since all three of us got together in person, book club over Skype is all well and good but nothing beats seeing my girls face to face. Obviously I see Piper every week for our gym session but Libby had been living her dream as a designer with Sean in New York.

"EVIE!" Libby squeals running in my direction her arms around me before I can even respond, kissing my cheek.

"I've missed this" I exhale, breathing in her perfume and taking in her appearance, she looks the same, cheekbones still sharp, eyes brows still perfect, except her signature flowing hair is up in a tight bun, taming her curls.

"I've missed you!" She hugs me tightly again and I hug her back loving that some things, some relationships still stay the same even after my engagement.

"Okay everyone misses everyone, great, can we please not miss our reservations? I'm starving!" Piper comes up behind us, arms around us both, pulling us into an embrace.

We're seated pretty quickly as per Piper's rumbling stomach, with our eggs Florentine, eggs Benedict Royale, fresh fruit salad and a handful of pastries in front of us, there's silence as we stuff our faces. Leaning back with a full stomach carefully sipping at my camomile, we catch up and Libby tells us about her time in New York. I just know that one day I'm going to be seeing her designs in London Fashion Week, maybe Milan or New York, who knows maybe all three.

"I bet the house is going to be rammed with life with everyone under one roof" Libby enquiries, her coffee brown eyes lighting up as the waiter brings us our over baked Brie board with jelly, crackers and grapes for us to share as dessert.

"I've honestly missed the noise so much, it reminds me of better times, I can't wait for them to come home" I smile wasting no time in digging in

"Only thing missing is Mason-" Piper's foot finds my shin

"Piper!" I yell in pain, leaning down to rub my shins.

"I'm so sorry V that was meant for my loose lipped sister!" She glares at Libby for bringing up Mason.

"Oh for fuck sakes guys! He's not Voldemort you can say his name you know" I say timidly, still rubbing my shins

"I told you she's not going to get upset if I mention Mason" Libby berates Piper, widening her eyes, as if prompting her to say something.

"So have you heard he's back in town?" Piper asks tactfully.

"Mason's back in town?" I gulp, gripping my cracker so hard it snaps before I can dip it in Brie.

My heart is beating wildly against my chest, I'm partially convinced they can both see it pounding through my jumper. Yet I can't tell whether it's beating so erratically out of fear of bumping into Mason or the excitement of seeing him again.