Page 15 of Willa’s Weddings

POPPY: You've been quiet lately. What’s up?

KYLIE: Did you see the new Build a Bear going in on Main? We gotta go.

WILLA: I’ve got tea. Can we meet up?

CASSIE: At Poppy’s place?

WILLA: No, a restaurant. Maybe Gio’s Grotto?

BRIANA: Say less. I’ll pick you up in ten.

I loved my girls.

By the time Briana pulled her Jeep up in front of my house, I was both starving and nervous about the conversation I was about to have with my best friends in the world. She wanted me to spill my news but I was strong and promised I’d tell her everything as soon as we were all together.

This was either gonna go really well or really bad.

When we walked into Gio’s Grotto, the girls were already at a round table in the corner with a half-empty bottle of wine.

Kylie brought macarons that she made from scratch in an actual Ziploc bag. They sat on the table like an offering, just waiting to be claimed. They didn’t have to worry because my plan was to claim at least three the second I had some produce in my tummy.

Daddy made me promise.

“You look cute.” Jasmine gave me a hug then popped an olive into her mouth. She was wearing a black slip dress and combat boots like Kylie Minogue, but sadder.

“You look like the girl who smokes outside the club and never pays cover.” I hooked my finger through one of the D-rings on her sleeve and then turned to each of the girls to greet them hugs.

Jasmine shrugged unapologetically. “I’ve never paid a cover. Why would I?”

After making it around the table, I sat down and clasped my hands in front of my chest. “So, that tea I mentioned.” I was having second thoughts about telling them, but I couldn’t keep Daddy a secret. He was too important for that. And my friends loved him. They would be okay.

Kylie eyed me with pursed lips. Did she know? How could she know? There was no way. Unless… Did she still talk to Troy? The green eyed monster inside me was trying to rip its way out like the baby in Alien. “Well, tell us already.”

“I’ve got a Daddy.”

All jaws dropped and all eyes lasered in on me but Kylie was the first to speak. “Anyone we know?”

She knew. Of course she knew. “Yeah, it’s Troy. Did he tell you?”

Kylie just shook her head but I wasn’t convinced. Besides, all my other friends were up and in my arms, talking about how good we are for each other. All the tension in my shoulders dissolved as I shared every detail of the night and day I spent with Daddy before he left…and all the plans I had for him when he got back.

“So, it’s not weird?” I looked each of my friends in the eyes. “You’re all okay with this?”

“We’re just glad you found someone who gets you.” Jasmine’s eyes were all soft and melty. “And also that he’s not, like, creepy. He’s actually a good dude.”

“Yeah, he is.” I turned to Kylie, and my chest felt tight and wavy. “You’re okay too?”

She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course I’m okay. You guys are perfect for each other. I’ve been telling you both that forever.”

She wasn’t lying.

We ordered our dinner and cocktails, and finally, Jasmine broke the silence. “So, is he good in bed?”

I laughed and avoided eye contact with Kyle. “So good. Amazing, really. And he makes me feel… safe. More than anyone else ever has.”

Poppy made a face. “You could’ve led with that, you know.”

Boring. “I wanted to build suspense.”