Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Just as I’m starting to pull together an outfit, my cell phone rings. The name on the screen makes me pause. Maria. I pick the cell phone up and swipe to answer her call. I bring the cell phone up to my ear.
“Hello,” I say.
“Pippa, hi,” she says, her voice rushing, slightly panicked. “I just wanted to call and apologize. About the video. I didn’t think it would upset you. I thought … I thought you’d see the funny side of it.”
I inhale slowly, realizing how tense I’ve been since I saw her name on my cell phone screen. “I’m sorry too. I overreacted. It was unexpected and embarrassing, yes, but I … I shouldn’t have rushed out like that.”
There’s a pause, then a laugh through the line. “Pippa, you’re mad, you know. The video of you was a brilliant touch. Honestly. I chose it because it shows you as someone funny, confident, hot, someone they’d all love. That’s why I put it together. I knew our group would eat it up.”
I smile, a warm, relieved feeling spreading through me. “Thank you, for seeing me that way. I needed to hear that.”
She laughs again, light and melodic. “You’re welcome. Don’t make plans for Friday. We’re going for cocktails. Just you and me and all those texts I’ve had from my guy friends about how to contact you.”
“Sounds good,” I say.
We end the call, and I smile to myself. Max was right. They really are making an effort with me and becoming my friends.
I finish getting ready, carefully choosing an outfit that feels right, stylish but approachable, and elegant. I do my hair, curling it and leaving it down, and apply some makeup, before heading back downstairs to meet the mystery guest.
When I enter the dining area, I am shocked to see Vanessa sitting casually at the table, sipping a glass of water. Her head turns, and before I can say a word, she jumps up and pulls me into a hug.
“Congratulations,” she says when she releases me, her smile radiant and genuine.
I step back slightly, confused, my brow furrowed. “Um … thanks? Wait, I don’t …”
Rhett chuckles behind me, stepping closer.
“What’s happening?” I ask him.
“Pippa, Vanessa isn’t my ex-girlfriend. Well, I suppose technically she is, but we dated when we were like eight. Since then, she’s been one of my closest friends. That night in the bar when I came up with the plan to make George jealous, I already knew I wanted to win you from him. I knew you were the girl I wanted to marry, but I knew I had to win you over, so I deviously made up the whole thing about the clingy ex. I knew Vanessa could play the part of the bitchy, clingy ex perfectly. You forgive me, right?”
I burst out laughing, the tension in the room melting instantly. “Vanessa, you should go into acting. You were flawless as the bitchy, clingy ex.”
She grins, waving her hands dramatically. “I’ll take that as a compliment. I did slip up once, though, at the beach, when I found out you were engaged, and I asked Rhett if he was sure this was what he wanted.”
“I didn’t notice,” I say truthfully. “But now you’ve told me, I see it. At the time, I was too jealous to think straight. It didn’t make me suspicious at all.”
Rhett shakes his head, still smiling. “Dinner will be ready soon. You two can sit, relax, and enjoy.”
And enjoy we do. We sit, sharing stories and laughter. Vanessa regales me with hilarious, embarrassing tales about Rhett, some of his childhood mishaps, and some more recent antics. Vanessa launches right in with a wicked grin.
“Did Rhett ever tell you about the time he got stuck in a tree when he was nine? He climbed up it to impress me, of course, and then he refused to admit that he couldn’t get down. His dad had to call the fire department.”
I clap a hand over my mouth, laughing. “No. He most definitely didn’t mention that.”
Rhett groans. “Don’t exaggerate. It wasn’t the fire department. It was just a neighbor with a ladder.”
“Uh-huh,” Vanessa teases him. “And you’ll be saying next that the whole neighborhood didn’t gather to watch? Sure.”
She goes on smugly before he can interrupt again.
“And don’t even get me started on what he was like at college. Once, he thought he’d impress everyone at a pool party by doing a triple flip off the diving board. He ended up belly flopping into it so loudly that the lifeguard blew his whistle and asked if he needed medical attention.”
Rhett shakes his head, though there’s a smile tugging at his lips now. “Be careful, Vanessa, or you’re never coming to dinner again.”
Vanessa winks at me. “See what I’ve had to put up with? You’re a saint for saying yes to him.”