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“It’s complicated, Pepper. And I… managed to complicate them even more.”
“How?” she gasps. “Did you kiss him? Oh, tell me you kissed him. Did he kiss you back?”
“I didn’t kiss him.” I wince. “I slept with him.”
She gasps dramatically. “You’re sleeping with him? Wait! Is this a bucket list thing or are you two finally giving into all this sexual tension?”
“Neither. It’s more of a 'I’m pathetic and self-destructive situation.”
“What?”
“Somehow he thought I had a date to your wedding with Landon, and I…”
She grins. “You didn’t deny it, you little sneak. So, what, he got jealous?”
“He…got a little heated, I think. He insisted that I’m not ready.”
Pepper giggles. “Sounds like he's not ready. Who do you think you are, having sex at twenty-five? So, how’d you end up in the sack?”
“He wanted to…prepare me.”
She nods like this is a thing. “Lovely. And how long has this been going on?”
“Two weeks.”
She grins and shakes her head. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“Yes, I am. Did you miss the part about my imaginary date next week?”
“So just tell him you called it off.”
“I can’t. The deal was that this is a no-strings-attached, physical learning experience. If I tell him I called off the date, he’ll think I’m falling in love or something.”
“Are you?”
My heart skips a beat. “I’m not falling in love. I’ve loved him from the beginning.”
Pepper sighs. “I love you, Charlie. If Noah never says it, just know that I do.”
“I’m cutting you off.”
We arrive at the Inn fifteen minutes before the start time on the invitation for the local guests.
“How do I look?” Pepper asks, spreading her arms like she’s Vanna White.
“Don’t you have a different outfit for the after-party?”
“I do.”
I hand her my room key. “I’m in two sixteen. Change and freshen up.”
My tipsy friend frowns. “Why do you have a room?”
I’m not about to give the bride more to worry about by telling her there are still last-minute details to prepare for her big day.
Details I’m specifically responsible for.
“Um…for just such an occasion. Now go change.”
