falling in love in an empty theater

Chapter Two

"Hey, are we still going to that bridal shop on Thursday? They called to confirm the appointment this morning, and I said yeah, so Mateo better let you off work early for it. It was a miracle I was able to get us scheduled in the first place."

    "Okay, Luce. I get it. You're the best maid of honor in the world and I'll make sure I'm off on Thursday. Happy?" I sipped on my mimosa as I glanced over the brunch menu, thankful for Mateo's wallet in my purse. "This whole wedding planning thing is a lot more stressful than I bargained for. Can't I just run away to New York, or something?"

    "Oh, like an elopement?"

    "No, like I want to change my name and disappear from this side of the country."

    "Stress is a normal, human emotion, Will. Everyone has to go through it at some point, so just be grateful that your stress is about getting married to this year's most eligible bachelor. Oh, also, I have something to make it go away. You're welcome." Alexandra, my bridesmaid and most trusted dispenser (nicknamed affectionately by yours truly), slid a small baggie of pills across the table. I pocketed it quickly - not that anyone would bat an eyelash at another wannabe-writer popping benzos.

    "You're a saint, Xan. I owe you."

    "Consider it a wedding gift. And consider paying for my lunch. Mateo's Platinum is burning a hole in your back pocket, anyways."

    "First of all," Lucy cleared her throat, "Please stop calling Alex 'Xan,' Will. It's offensive and if she gets arrested, I won't have anyone to get me Valium. Second, it can't be a wedding gift if she's not getting married for another six months. It also can't be a wedding gift if you're making her pay for your fifty-dollar omelet."

    Xan and I exchanged a look, before the tiny blonde threw her hair over her shoulder. "If I get arrested, I'm taking you bitches down with me. One drop of blood from Will and they'll ship her to a lab to see how she still has brain cells. Even I don't know how one girl can take enough pills to tranquilize an elephant and still pound a bottle of Jack."

    "Very funny, Xan," I rolled my eyes, nudging her with my elbow. "We all know I don't drink whiskey, anymore."

    "Yeah, not since you broke that pretty little face of yours. I keep telling you, you're gonna have to get filler before the wedding. Your nose is gonna look all crooked in your engagement photos." Lucy winked and threw back the rest of her drink, lifting a hand to catch the attention of a nearby server. "We're ready to order when you are, hun."

    "Speaking of my marital status," I started, giving my order to the waitress before turning back to my friends with a sly smile. "Guess whose crooked nose got a hot date with none other than Carter-freaking-Bishop?"

    "Are you shitting me, Will? He's like, the sexiest guitar player since John Mayer!" Lucy's jaw dropped.

    Xan pulled out her phone, showing me a very shirtless picture of Carter that came up on her web search. "This one? Deadass?"

    "Deadass," I confirmed, tipping my new glass into my mouth. "And he was all over me last night. Even walked me home - and get this."

    Xan and Luce perched on the edge of their chairs, arms leaning on the table. "What?" They whispered in unison, eyes filled with ferocity and admiration. Well, ferocity and half a line they split in the parking lot.

    "He thinks I'm fuckin' married. And he doesn't even care."

    "You lucky son of a bitch! Not only do you somehow get one of the hottest CEO's wrapped, literally, around your finger," Lucy snatched my wrist, holding it up so that the sun sparkled on the gargantuan rock nestled on my hand, "but now you get to mess around with Carter Bishop on the side? Why couldn't you save some for us?"