Page 119 of One Week in Paris
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IHURRY OVER TO OUR USUAL meeting spot for my second cup of tea — I’m in high demand today. Gabbie is already there, looking fabulous. She’s getting so big.
She stands to hug me, dressed in a stylish coral maternity dress. The color looks fabulous on her. “How have you been?” I ask.
“Great,” she tells me as she settles back into her seat. “But I want to hear about you. I want to hear all about your trip.”
I take a seat across from her. “It was fabulous. My mom called off the wedding… two days before.”
“No way,” she says, her pretty brown eyes as round as pennies. “But that’s a good thing, right? That’s what you wanted?”
“Yes, it all worked out perfectly. And get this… now she’s having a thing with a hot silver fox Frenchman.”
“Lucky girl,” she grabs her cup of tea. “I’m happy for her.”
“So how about you? How are you and Eli? And the kids?”
She beams. “We’re great. Eager for this little one to join the family. The kids are really excited too.”
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”
The doorbell clangs, and Maeve swoops in. I’m ecstatic to see her. Since she’s moved, she doesn’t get to meet up with us as often. She used to be the most regular member of the group, the one who always showed up, rain or shine, the unofficial leader.
I spring from my chair and go in for a huge hug. “I’ve missed you, girl.”
“I’ve missed you too. All of you!” She bends down and hugs Gabriella’s belly before she evens hugs her. “It’s been so long.”
She takes a seat at the table, our usual spot in front of the cozy fireplace, mildly flustered. She shrugs out of her scarf and jacket.
“Can I grab you a coffee or tea?” I ask.
“No thanks. I’ll go grab one myself in a minute. I want to hear all about your trip first. I’m so sorry I missed it.”
“Me too. It was great. You would have loved it. How’s the store going?”
“It’s good,” she tells me. “I finally got an assistant to help me out. A young girl… she’s great.”
“That’s great. Maybe you’ll get some time to breathe now.”
She laughs. “Yes, hopefully.” She shifts toward me. “So did the wedding fall through? I meant to text you. I was insanely curious about it.”
“It did!” I tell her. “Everything went as planned. And my mom even met someone new, a really nice guy named Antoine.”
“Nice.”
The doorbells clangs again. Corrie is fashionably late as always. She throws her hands up as soon as she sees us. “Girls!! The four of us!”
She’s super excited to see Maeve and Gabbie. “The usual,” she hollers out to the barista who shoots her a scowl. Corrie can come off as a little bossy sometimes. She’s only about five foot two, but she completely owns a room when she enters it. Today, she’s wearing a white fur coat (I hope it’s fake), and tall heeled white boots over dark skinny jeans. The whole outfit is topped with a stylish white beanie.
She steals hugs and slaps her tiny rear on the empty chair. “Did you hear about Paris?” she says to Maeve. “It was so fun. Kayla’s mom caught her fiancé with his pants down and a hussy between his legs.”
I smile at her words. She conveniently fails to mention that she was all part of it, mere seconds before.
“And we met this sexy Frenchman named Antoine. We had dinner at his place. I had a thing for him, but he was all about Kayla’s mom. I guess he prefers women his own age.”
Maeve is still sitting empty-handed. She’s too enthralled with Corrie’s stories to go fetch herself a coffee.
“And Oscar gave Kayla the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen, and she said NO!!”
