51. Elysa
CHAPTER 51
ELYSA
“I need your help.”
Leia slowly lowers her fork, staring at me with wide eyes across the breakroom table. “Last time you said that, I ended up in a locker room with a naked hockey player.”
“Shut up. You’re marrying said hockey player in one week.” I toss a piece of lettuce at her, grinning. I can’t help the little flash of guilt that rushes through me though. Everything worked out, but not without a whole lot of drama along the way. Drama that almost cost her life. I asked her to look into my ex, who, as it turned out, was a bookie. He tried to kill her when he realized she was onto him. I can’t really blame her for being hesitant about helping me now.
“True.” She brushes the lettuce off her shoulder, smiling brightly. “I guess I’ll hear you out then.”
“Megan is in love with Preston Caldwell.”
“Isn’t he the one who got her the internship here?” Leia asks.
“Yep. He called Daniel personally and gave her a glowing recommendation.” I chew on my bottom lip. “I don’t think she knows that though. She thinks she doesn’t stand a chance with him.”
“Why? She’s gorgeous! That man would be lucky to have her.”
“That’s what I said.”
“I knew I liked you,” Leia says, grinning at me.
“I think we should hook them up.”
“Uh, absolutely not.”
I scowl at her.
“I am not playing matchmaker in this town, Elysa. No way.”
“Why not?”
“Um, because I’m pregnant and no one in this town is rational!” she cries. “They fall in love and then boom! Suddenly, the sheriff is involved because someone is going to jail.”
I laugh quietly. “It’s not that bad.”
“You’re such a liar. It is absolutely that bad!” She stares at me like I’ve lost the plot. “You play matchmaker. Colter will lose his mind if I do anything even remotely fun.”
“Aha! So, you admit it sounds like fun.”
“I mean, obviously it sounds like fun.” She rolls her eyes at me. “I’m pregnant, not dead. Your plans always sound like fun, which is precisely why I told Colter I wouldn’t help you with anything you want to do until after the baby is born.”
“Your fiancé is lame.”
“Whatever. You love him.”
I hold my finger and thumb a millimeter apart. Colter is the best thing that’s ever happened to Leia. He treats her like a princess. I adore him for that alone. But he’s seriously killing my vibe here.
“You should absolutely play matchmaker though. You’ve always had good instincts for stuff like this.”
I snort loudly.
“I’m serious, Elysa. Just because Gavin turned out to be a complete dick doesn’t mean you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to love. He was a frog masquerading as a prince. You’re the one who picked up on it.” She eyes me critically. “Put those skills to use for everyone else in town. Maybe you’ll save some other girl a lot of heartache. Maybe you’ll find your actual prince along the way. But as your best friend, I’m demanding that you do this.”
“Demanding, huh? Colter can’t get you pregnant ever again. You’re too bossy.”
She throws a piece of her lettuce at me, making me smile. God, I love her. I’m not entirely sure she’s right, but I saw the look on Megan’s face this morning. She’s down bad for Preston Caldwell. If there’s even a chance that he feels the same, I can’t just sit back and do nothing. She deserves her happily ever after, even if I’ve given up on mine.
“I’m going to do it,” I decide, earning a big grin from Leia. Why not? If it turns out that I’m wrong about him feeling something for her, at least she’ll know. But I don’t think I’m wrong. His recommendation was glowing . Supernova bright.