Maid in Ink [PUBLISHED]

Chapter Six

At work on Thursday I finish helping a customer in the shoe aisle before I run into Cora by the kids section.

She's picking up toys on the ground and putting them back into their spots. "I swear I just picked these up five minutes ago," she shakes her head.

"It'll probably happen again," I tell her. "On the bright side our shift ends soon." The sooner I get off, the sooner I can get home and clean before Casey gets here.

She's coming into town for the weekend. Tomorrow is her dress appointment and we're meeting with the venue manager to get everything set up. I'm anxious because reality is going to hit me tomorrow. Casey's really getting married and she's going to pick a gorgeous dress. There are no maybes or what ifs. Tomorrow she picks her dress and it has to be a perfect fit and find.

"What are you doing this weekend?" Cora asks as we walk towards the registers.

"Casey is coming tonight and we have her dress appointment tomorrow," I explain.

Cora smiles. "Aw, how fun. Sounds stressful though," she laughs as she says it.

"Oh, it will be," I sigh. I had told Bee and Cora everything about the wedding when I got back to work. I told them about how soon it is and about Dylan being part of the groomsmen. Bee didn't really have a reaction because I haven't told her the whole story about Dylan, but Cora seemed to enjoy it.

"I'm going to need you to be my plus-one to this wedding because I might need an emotional support," I say, half-joking. I might cry, I might not.

She gives me a smug smile. "You have a plus-one already. Your electrician friend would be cute arm-candy."

Ben and I haven't seen each other since Sunday night and it's mostly because of work. Cora seems to like us together, but she's also the hopeless romantic.

I've been avoiding the thought of having him as my plus-one. The thought makes my stomach twist with fear and I don't like it one bit. I feel like if I take him to the wedding, it'll make things too official for us and I like the fun we're having without any titles. It puts a certain pressure on me and I'd rather not have that.

"I see that look on your face, Lace," Cora shakes her head. "Why are you afraid of him?"

"It's not him I'm afraid of. I'm just..." I trail off because I don't know what to say. "I don't know. I'm just afraid of the idea of him I guess." I don't want to sound ridiculous and say I'm afraid of the titles.

"Well, you'll cross that bridge when you get to it," she shrugs.

Soon enough our shift finishes and as I'm getting to my car I see a text from Casey saying she's an hour away.

At my apartment I clean up around the place, wash dishes, and fold laundry. Once I'm putting fresh towels in the bathroom there's a knock at the door. I walk over and as soon as I open the door Casey engulfs me in her arms and almost takes me down.

"That felt like the longest drive ever," she says, pulling in her bags. She plops down on the couch and lets out a heavy sigh. "I was thinking we can eat in, maybe order some lo mein, and put on some face masks."

"Sounds good to me," I say, walking over to the kitchen. "You can put your bags in my room and I'll call the restaurant."

Casey takes her bags into my room and I hear zippers opening left and right as I place our order. It's already six o'clock by the time we're in our pajamas with face masks on. The food should be here soon so I turn the TV on.

"Is Law and Order on?" Casey asks as she sits next to me on the couch.

Before I can answer a knock on the door catches my attention. Casey hands me cash and I stand up to open the door.