Page 45 of I’d Be Honored

Hayley: Good morning

It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep Maddie hopeful.

Saturday afternoon, Maddie stepped outside into the concrete jungle with Caitlin, already sweating. It was ninety-eight degrees that day, the humidity was intense and sticky, and the sun blazed against the blue sky. Caitlin had an appointment at Kleinfeld’s for her second dress fitting, and Maddie sent up a silent prayer of relief when they walked into the boutique, and a blast of air conditioning greeted them.

While an assistant helped Caitlin into her freshly altered gown, Maddie sank into the lounge sofa and texted Hayley, who seemed to have taken up full-time residence in Maddie’s mind.

Maddie: Thinking about you... What are you wearing? ;)

Hayley: Seriously? I'm with clients right now.

Maddie: Sigh, fine. Later, then?

Maddie smiled, biting her cuticles as she watched three dots pop up on her screen, waiting for Hayley’s reply.

“That woman really got her claws in you.”

Maddie looked up to find Caitlin glaring at her, her arms crossed in a pout over her white gown.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Maddie deflected, standing up and taking Caitlin’s hands in her own. “But I know that you are absolutely stunning, Cait.” She watched as Caitlin examined the dress from every angle in the floor-length mirrors, scrutinizing the fit.

A ping rang out from the couch behind Maddie, and she resisted the urge to turn and reach for it. She really didn’t want to give Caitlin any more ammunition, but she was itching to see Hayley’s response. Her foot tapped impatiently.

Caitlin eyed Maddie through the mirror, reading her mind. “Go ahead, I know you’re dying to see what Hayley said.”

“How do you even know it’s from Hayley?” Maddie asked petulantly.

Caitlin shot her a look and held her arms out wide so that the seamstress could pin her dress down the side. “Tell me it’s not with a straight face and I’ll believe you.”

Maddie locked eyes with Caitlin through the mirror in a silent stare down, trying her hardest to suppress her growing grin. She didn’t even last ten seconds before breaking into a chagrined smile and reaching for her phone.

Hayley: Be ready at 5. You're going to get a proper NY experience tonight.

Maddie’s stomach flipped with giddy weightlessness as if she were back at Coney Island, strapped into the Soarin’ Eagle on her stomach beside Hayley and flying high above the crowded boardwalk.

She slid her phone into the back pocket of her jean shorts and spun toward Caitlin. Maddie flinched, unexpectedly face-to-face with her best friend, who had clearly been reading the message over her shoulder.

“Mads…” Caitlin sighed, then shook her head.

“What?”

“I’m just worried about you, that’s all. I’m worried that you’re catching feelings for her, and I’m worried that you’re going to get hurt.”

It wasn’t the first warning Caitlin had given her, but it was the most direct.

“I don’t have feelings for Hayley.” Maddie looked her best friend in the eye, trying to convince Caitlin just as much as herself. “We’re just… friends.” The word left a sour taste on her tongue.

Caitlin’s silence spoke volumes, and Maddie knew she hadn’t fooled either of them.

——

At exactly five o’clock on the dot, Maddie stood on her tiptoes to peer through the peephole of Caitlin and Gemma’s brownstone and saw Hayley climbing the last stair. Maddie yanked the door open right as Hayley raised her fist to knock.

Hayley took a step back in surprise, then gave Maddie a crooked grin. “Hey.”

Maddie’s mouth fell open.

She’s not wearing a suit.