I groaned, rubbing my temples with my thumb and middle finger.
“I’m sorry, okay? I’ll straighten it all out eventually, but can you please, please come here tonight and pretend like we’re getting married?”
If it were anyone else, I’d have refused to do this insane thing. But Felicity was special to me, and after all, I had made a promise. I checked my watch. “It’s quarter to eight. I won’t be there for at least forty-five minutes. I have to go home and change.”
“That’s fine.”
“What am I supposed to wear?”
“Something billionairy. A nice suit and tie. You don’t happen to have a diamond ring lying around, do you?”
I laughed. “I’m not that kind of billionaire.”
“Is there any chance you could find one?”
“Where the hell would I find a diamond ring at eight o’clock at night?”
“I don’t know. Can’t you borrow jewels for the night like Richard Gere did in Pretty Woman?”
“Richard Gere had more notice than I did. Jewelry stores are closed.”
She sighed. “It’s probably fine. I told Mimi the ring was at the jeweler’s being sized.”
“Jesus Christ, Felicity. How am I going to keep all the lies straight?” I was starting to sweat.
“Those are the only ones I told so far! We’re engaged, the ring is at the jeweler’s, and you’re coming here later. I swear to God, I will make it up to you, Hutton—I just need this one night.”
“One hour,” I said.
“One hour will be perfect,” she said. “I’ll send you the venue address, and then you can text me when you get here. I’ll even come out and meet you so you don’t have to walk in alone.”
“Thanks.”
“Thank you, Hutton. I mean it. You’re the best friend in the world.”
I hung up and went back into the kitchen, where my mom was spooning French onion dip from the plastic carton into the dip end of a chip-and-dip bowl. “Everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I have to go.”
“Where?”
I clenched my jaw. “My high school reunion.”
“Really?” She sounded pleased.
“Yeah. Felicity is there, and she needs me to . . . show up,” I finished. There was no way I could explain the real situation.
“A date with Felicity? I think that’s wonderful!”
I chose not to take the bait. “Can you apologize to Dad for me?”
“Of course. Maybe I’ll introduce Cleopatra to Harvey. He’s been so lonely since Edna died last year.”
“Good idea.”
She set her spoon down, came over, and kissed my cheek. “You just go, darling. I can’t wait to hear all about it. But are you going to change first?” She looked at my jeans and T-shirt with some dismay. “And maybe fix your hair a little too?” She started fussing with the front of my hair.
I pushed her hands away. “Stop it, Mom. I have to go.”
“Only trying to help.” She smiled. “Say hello to Felicity. I always had a feeling about the two of you. Past life soul mates if I ever saw them.”
“We’re just friends.” Pulling my keys from my pocket, I headed for the back door again.
“Don’t fight it, darling. Tomorrow we should do a tarot reading for you, feel out where this might be heading. And take an umbrella! The leaves are upside down, and that always means a storm.”
I yanked the door shut behind me, drowning her out.
Just under an hour later, I texted Felicity from the banquet center parking lot. I’m here.
I’ll meet you right outside the front door! she texted back.
Before getting out of the car, I checked myself out in the visor mirror. Was my hair neat enough? My tie straight? My scruff under control? If I’d had more time, I’d have shaved or at least trimmed it up. At least I’d ironed my shirt. I wasn’t that good at it, since I usually had my shirts pressed at the dry cleaner, but my suit coat would cover it up. I grabbed it from the back seat, shrugged it on, and locked up my car before walking slowly toward the banquet hall entrance.
With every step, a sense of dread built beneath my skin. My chest grew tighter. My breath quickened. Inside were a bunch of people I didn’t know at all, but who would be eager to judge me. They’d know who I was. They’d heard things about me. They probably thought I didn’t deserve the money. Surely, they’d notice the way I was sweating. They’d ask questions and I’d stumble over my answers. Maybe I’d stumble over my own feet. I’d forget names. They’d think I— “Hutton!” Felicity came running toward me and threw her arms around my neck, clinging to me like she was drowning. “Thank you so much for coming! You look amazing.”