“I’m late for a client meeting.” The waitress brought the check and he handed her a credit card. I protested that we should split it. “My only wedding expenses are a sixth of the bachelor party costs and renting a tux—and that’s one tux, not five. It’s on me.”
I didn’t argue. “I had a good time,” I told him, as we waited for his card to return.
He smiled. “This was fun. It’s been a long time since I had a female friend.”
“The wife didn’t approve?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t even notice her phasing them out until they were gone. I had two really close friends in college who were girls.”
“Why don’t you reconnect?”
“It’s been too long. And I was a terrible person for letting Lauren do that.”
“It happens. Speaking as someone who’s been phased out by a guy friend’s girlfriend before, I’d welcome hearing an ‘I’m sorry.’”
He looked thoughtful. “Maybe. I’m sure I can find them on Facebook.”
“You’re not even still Facebook friends with them?”
Alex smiled tightly. “Lauren was—well—it wasn’t worth the fight.”
I put a sympathetic hand on his. “Let’s do this again.”
“Definitely.”
When I eventually made my way back to my desk, still smiling, I saw I had an email from Madison—a first. It was to both Amy and me.
Hey future sisters-in-law,
Just wanted to send a quick update since you two are the only bridesmaids who aren’t in town with me. I found my dress—I’m attaching a picture （Amy, it’s the same one I showed you in Mexico）。 Bridesmaid dress shopping is a little more interesting. Amy, I ordered the one you sent me a link to for yours and it’s adorable. （I found a store near me to try it on—it’s too bad your wedding is after mine or I’d consider it for my shower! I know everyone says they’ll wear their bridesmaid dresses again and don’t, but I really will.） Speaking of the shower, we’re looking at April 17, with a bachelorette party the following weekend on April 23. I know that’s not ideal for you two, so I promise it’s fine if you can’t make it to one or both. You’ll get the official invitations later, of course, but I wanted to put it on your radar just in case. Your mom said she’ll try to come out for the shower, if you want to coordinate.
And finally, dresses for you two! My sister, my cousin, and my best friend are my other bridesmaids. The four of us went shopping last weekend and found a dress that should be flattering on everyone—but I want you to approve it before anyone orders. A couple of salons in your area have it, if you can get by sometime in the next couple of weeks, either together or separately, to check it out and then just let me know what you think? I’m attaching the link below, along with links to the two salons that have it.
Thanks girls!
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Madison
I clicked the link, but my phone rang before the page loaded. “Lily Weiss,” I answered automatically.
“What do you think of the dress?” Amy asked by way of a greeting.
I looked back to my screen. It was a pale-yellow chiffon sheath that just hung straight down.
“I think I’m going to look like Big Bird in it.”
“Right? Ugh, why yellow?”
I looked down at my pasty arm in the three-quarter-length-sleeved top I was wearing. “Guess we’re spray tanning for Mexico.”
“Great, then we’ll look orange against the yellow. She can’t be serious.”
“I thought she was your new best friend?”
Amy ignored me. “And two separate weekends for the shower and bachelorette party? I was going to try to go, but we already went to Mexico for them.”
“That one didn’t sound like any great hardship.”
“Lily, I work at Lululemon and Tyler has a job offer, but he’s still in school now. I don’t have as much money as you do.”
I started to say something snarky about living off our parents, but I stopped myself. Amy was on my side here.
“Ha. You think I have money right now? Do you know how much the dress for my friend Caryn’s wedding cost?”
“How much?”
“Five eighty-five.”
“Shit. Is it cute at least?”
“Nope.”
“Does she secretly hate you?”
I smiled. “I don’t think so. She just lives on a different planet than we do sometimes.”