Page 89 of The Wedding Forecast

‘What terrible date?’ Mum says.

‘You remember that guy I went to the Mexican place with.’ A few months ago, I had decided to give the apps one more chance and attempt a few actual dates. During one of them, we were seated in a booth at a restaurant. He had slid around so he was sitting right beside me, the lighting was low, it was all very intimate, and for some reason I was telling him about my childhood dog dying, and he took my hand in his. I thought he was being sympathetic, but as I kept telling the story, he slowly and carefully placed my hand on his crotch.

‘He needed to be reported to the police,’ Mum says.

‘Right. And you came home saying you were so tired of creeps, and why do some guys have to sexualise everything, and I remember thinking Mac seemed into you at the wedding, so when I spoke to him that night, I warned him not to try and make a move or anything,’ Luke says.

‘Well, thank you, I guess, but Mac is nothing like crotch guy,’ I say.

‘I know he’s not, but I wasn’t sure how wide a net you were casting when you said you hated all men and never wanted to be hit on again.’

To be fair to Luke, at the time, I was casting a very wide net. But still. He must have known that would never apply to his hot actor friend in New York. The hot actor friend in New York is always the exception to the rule.

‘Babe, that was sweet,’ Hayley says to Luke. ‘Misguided but sweet. I like it when you’re protective.’

‘I try my best,’ Luke says.

‘And we appreciate it,’ Hayley says.

‘We do,’ I say.

Luke turns to me, and he looks serious.

‘Mac is a great guy,’ he says. ‘He’s been my friend for a long time. I love him. He’s easy to love. But he’s always going to put his work first.’

My face is feeling hot and I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. ‘It was just a holiday thing, I promise. Nothing more.’

There’s an awkward silence.

Bobbi clears her throat. ‘Well. If we’re ready for a change in topic, Anna and I have something of an announcement to make,’ she says, which is not the smoothest transition she’s ever made, but we do need to tell everyone.

‘You do?’ Mum says.

‘The two of you?’ Hayley says, her brow furrowed.

‘Yes,’ Bobbi says. She looks at me, and I look at her, and the moment is dragging out too long—there’s too much build-up.

‘You’re looking at Bobbi’s newest employee!’ I say, throwing my arms wide. This is met with confused silence. ‘I’m replacing Sasha,’ I add.

‘You’re working at the shop?’ Hayley says, frowning.

‘What about your job?’ Mum says.

‘I quit my job,’ I say, trying for airy and cheerful.

‘What do you mean?’ Mum says.

‘I resigned and I’m not going back.’

‘Why?’ Mum says, with an edge to her voice.

‘Because I…I was unhappy there, and I needed a break, and I would rather do this.’ I smile at everyone in turn. No one is smiling back.

‘Do what?’ Mum says.

‘Work with Bobbi in the bookshop.’

‘Do you mean permanently?’