Resist Me Not

16

I was so grateful not only to be back home with Eric, but also because Adam and Ryan both insisted I take the rest of the week off. Since they took my original week off away from me, I didn't consider refusing the offer once.

My mom couldn't come back on short notice. Nevertheless, I was thankful Sasha was there and willing to help me complete some of the postponed wedding tasks. She had to work on Wednesday, but said she could get that Thursday and Friday off to help with whatever I needed to do.

Since Eric was still really busy prepping for his trial, I didn't really get to see much of him most of Tuesday when I arrived home. I wanted to tell him about the job offer Adam made me in person. When he got home, every time I'd try to bring it up, something would happen where he'd get distracted and couldn't give me the attention I needed. I even tried telling him Wednesday night when he arrived in bed, but he was so tired that he fell asleep while I was telling him about my day and leading up to it.

Sasha and I met for breakfast at a local cafe, first thing on Thursday morning. I ordered an omelet with cheese and all the veggies they could fit in it. Sasha had a waffle sandwich with extra bacon. She was only vegan when Becca was around. But whenever she and I met somewhere to eat, she'd devour anything with an extra side of bacon. It was her relief. It always made me smile, seeing her eyes roll in ecstasy whenever she'd take that first bite of the greasy, crisp strip of meat.

"You should really come clean to Becca about your love affair with Mr. Bacon." I sipped my mimosa.

Swallowing a mouthful of her sandwich, she gave a snide smile. "I promise I will when you tell Eric about your love affair with Ryan."

"I'm not having a love affair with him." I avoided meeting her all-knowing eyes.

"Right. So your little sexcapade, in Napa, wasn't an affair?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me, I blushed at her choice of words.

"It was one night." I held up my index finger. "So, no. I'd consider that more like a fling. Plus, now I know I can marry Eric without any wondering doubts," I said, trying to convince myself as much as Sasha.

"Whatever you need to tell yourself, sister." Sasha looked at her watch. "So, what's first on the agenda today?"

I was grateful she was changing the topic. I pulled out my mini heart-shaped notebook from my purse and flipped the pages to get to my wedding prep checklist. The transportation arrangements were already checked off, as was the ring order for Eric's wedding band and the flowers for the centerpieces, boutonnieres, and my bouquet. We still had to go get stationery to send out the invitations as well as shop for the ceremony and reception accessories.

The server came over to check on us and drop off the bill casually in the process. I thanked her and went back to my list to read through the tasks again. "We need to go to the stationary store Eric's mom suggested we visit for the invitations, ceremony programs, name cards, and so on. It's only a few stops away from here. Then we can go to Macy's to get the accessories we need. I think they have some good quality, yet inexpensive options."

"Sounds like a plan." Sasha looked at me seriously, though I couldn't help but laugh a little at the speck of food resting just under her lip. I tapped at my chin to indicate to her where to wipe hers. Instead of using a napkin, she proceeded to stick her tongue out to search for the morsel, which she succeeded in finding. "Vicky, I'm your best friend, right?"

"That's a stupid question." The tone in her voice made me instantly put up my guard. She was about to tell me something I probably didn't want to hear.

"I'll take that as a yes." She paused for effect. It was very Sasha-like when discussing sensitive issues. "And since I'm your best friend and your matron-of-honor, it is my duty to tell you the honest truth."