4. Chapter 4
“Come on, Lyss.” Mallory shoots me a look. I should’ve known my friend who never holds back her punches would call me out. “Calling your friendship a toddler is selling your relationship short. You two may not be as close as us, but Austin knows you well.”
Maybe even better than anyone, I think.
“You see him at least once a week when his baseball schedule isn’t too crazy. That’s not a casual, toddler friendship.”
“Okay, fine, that undersells it,” I admit.
“But it still doesn’t negate the fact that this is a big ask.
I’d even feel bad asking one of y’all to leave work in the middle of the week to come with me.
” Because of course Bianca and Bradley would choose to have a destination wedding with the ceremony and reception taking place on a Thursday, in the middle of the week.
“But you mentioned at the Thunder Over Louisville game that it’s during All-Star week. Isn’t he off then?” Shayna asks.
Why did I have to go and open my mouth? All it did was give my friends more reason to suggest Austin go with me.
But he can’t. And I’m running out of excuses on why not to ask him, aside from the truth: if I take Austin as my plus-one and let him see more than what I’ve preapproved—if I really let him into my life—there’s no going back.
And even though I trust my friends with all my secrets, this is one I’ve held close to my chest. Because if they knew what really happened the night we met, they’d either tell me I’m crazy for not telling him about my feelings all these years, or they’d pity me. Neither of which I want to deal with.
“Yes, but it’s the only real vacation time he has during the season, aside from a few random days off. It would be selfish to ask him to spend that time with me at an awkward wedding when he could spend that time doing something he enjoys.”
Kelsey taps her nails on her mug. “It’s a destination wedding, so he could turn it into a vacation.”
“Vacations are always fun,” Shayna agrees.
I blow out a breath. “Not ones that include my cousin who would make Regina George look like a saint and my ex who has become eerily similar to her.”
“But you would have fun together,” Tess insists. “Doesn’t a summer beach vacation with one of your best friends sound dreamy?”
“Sure.” I smile. “So, which one of you wants to come?”
They look at each other before turning back to me.
“I think we’re all busy that week,” Mallory speaks for them.
Traitors.
I scoff. “I thought friends were supposed to be there for each other through thick and thin?”
Kelsey shrugs. “But us girls have to work, and we can’t just ask for a week off work at the last minute.”
I turn to Mallory since she’s a teacher. “School will be out for the summer.”
“I think I’m going to spend it out in LA.”
I can’t blame her for wanting to be with her boyfriend.
Everyone expresses how excited they are for Mal while I move my gaze to the table, defeated.
I know I’ll never hear the end of it from Bianca if I don’t attend her wedding.
She’ll think I didn’t come because I was too embarrassed to show my sad, single face there while she marries my ex.
And I don’t want the rest of my family to pity me at every gathering we have for the years to come.
I don’t want any of this. But I think attending the wedding is my only option.
The best way to show everyone that I’ve moved on and am fine.
No, more than fine, that I’m happy. Thriving, even.
I can plaster on a smile faker than Bianca’s nose for a week of wedding festivities.
As I’ve finally accepted my fate, our food is delivered. Everyone dives into their breakfast while I nibble on crumbs of the buttermilk biscuit from my classic sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich.
“I’m gonna go alone,” I mutter, and they all gape at me.
Kelsey breaks the silence first. “That’s a terrible idea.”
“Yeah, you need to show your family—and Bradley’s—how amazing your life is without him,” Tess says.
So much for baddies before baby daddies.
“And there’s no better way to do that than having a hunky pro baseball player on your arm.” Mallory takes a bite out of her hot-honey chicken biscuit.
“Oh, so all my accomplishments mean nothing if I don’t have a hot man on my arm?” I tilt my head. I know that’s not what she meant, but I need to make light of the situation to avoid feeling like a sheep being cornered by a pack of wolves.
“You know that’s not what I was saying.” Mallory frowns.
“Wasn’t Bradley’s family super into baseball?
” I nod, and she continues. “So isn’t that the best way to stick it to them?
Show them how measly the Vanderbilt name is.
Who wants to date a stupid boy with an inflated ego and daddy’s trust fund when you could be with a handsome MLB star? ”
I see Mallory’s point. The Vanderbilts would be green with envy if I brought the Austin Bradford to their golden son’s wedding. But that still doesn’t erase the fact that spending a week with Austin as my plus-one at the beach sounds like an awful idea when I’m trying to deny my feelings for him.
“I still think it’s too much to ask of him.”
“Then it’s a good thing that you don’t have to ask him.” I look up as Mallory sets her phone on the table, a wicked grin on her lips. “I did it for you.”
“You did what?” My voice squeaks as my heart pounds in my chest. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“Mm, I would, but that would be a lie.”
“You don’t even have his number.” I’ve never given any of my friends his contact information for this very reason.
“There’s this thing called DMing on social media.” Mallory grins. “It’s highly effective.”
“You’ll just go to his message requests.” I know he has over a hundred thousand followers, so surely he won’t see it.
“Not when I’ve messaged him before after some of your more awful date experiences.”
Great. He doesn’t have a game until this evening, so he’s totally going to see whatever she sent him.
I let my face fall into my hands. “Why couldn’t y’all just leave this alone?”
“Because we don’t want you to face Bradley and Bianca alone.” Shayna squeezes my arm.
“And we know that Austin would want to be there for you,” Kelsey says around her mouthful of berry-covered biscuits.
Tess nods. “It’s not like you could bring the guy from last night.”
“Was your date a bust?” Shayna dabs at the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“Let’s just say, he brought his mother and asked for her opinion before he did or said anything all night.”
Tess grimaces. “Yikes.”
I pop my lips. “Yeah, I think I’m done with dating.”
“But you deserve love.” I think Shayna has literal tears in her eyes.
I know she’s obsessed with all things romance, and I used to be that way, too.
But I’ve had enough bad-date experiences to know that life isn’t like romance movies or books.
The dating world is a lonely, scary place filled with more men that should be added to some list warning all women to stay far, far away from them than good ones.
“I think everyone deserves love, but it doesn’t mean we’re all going to find it.”
“Amen, sister.” Tess nods.
I shoot her an appreciative smile. At least one of my friends understands my thoughts behind remaining single.
“There’s this article I saw on social media, and I think you should try it out before you give up on dating.” Shayna takes a sip of her strawberry matcha.
“I already love this.” Kelsey leans back in her chair.
“I don’t know.” I shoot Shayna a wary look. The internet hasn’t done my dating life any favors.
“It sounds ridiculous, but just bear with me.” Shayna leans forward, garnering all of our attention. “The article lists twenty questions to fall in love.”
Mallory chortles. “That sounds like the start of a cheesy rom-com movie.”
“It’s not cheesy if it works,” Shayna retorts.
Tess finishes off the remainder of her biscuits and gravy. “Can two people really fall in love by simply asking twenty questions?”
“It works for the people on that dating show where they fall in love without ever even seeing the other person.” Kelsey shrugs.
“Am I supposed to bring a printed copy and read them off or something?” I tease, trying to lighten the situation.
“If you want to scare him away,” Mallory mutters.
I stare at my untouched plate, my appetite gone.
“I don’t think it’s about asking the questions, but the kind of conversations it leads to.
When you get to know someone deeply, I don’t think falling in love with them seems like that much of a stretch.
Besides, I was thinking of a more organic approach.
” Shayna pushes her plate aside to lean her elbows on the table before looking at me, full of optimism and hope that I don’t want to crush.
“What if you let us find a man for you to go on dates with and try out some of the questions on the list?”
I look around the table. Kelsey is nodding emphatically. Tess tilts her head and shoots me a look that says Why not? Mallory’s lips are pulled to the side, intrigued, while her eyes glitter with mirth.
“I don’t know.” I purse my lips.
“You could always go on a date with Austin and try out the questions with him instead,” Mallory offers.
I stiffen. “Someone else sounds great.”
When I meet Shayna’s gaze again, she’s beaming. “I promise this guy won’t be anything like Patrice’s picks. Once we all put our heads together, we’re bound to find someone worthy of you.”
I know my friends well enough to recognize when their minds are set on something. Now that this idea has taken root, they’re not going to let it go. Besides, it could be a good distraction from the upcoming wedding. And Austin.
I sigh, resigned. “Fine, but if things don’t work out, I’m putting a pause on dating for at least a year and focusing on myself.”
Shayna claps. “Yay, this is going to be so fun.”
“If the guy we find is nice, maybe he’ll even want to be your plus-one,” Kelsey suggests.
Mallory’s phone buzzes on the table. She picks it up and smirks. “I think he’ll need to fight Austin on that one.”
They all scramble for her phone. I don’t bother because I’m sure I have a message of my own waiting for me. I flip my phone over and click on the text notification from Austin.
AUSTIN
Why didn’t you tell me you needed someone to go to your cousin’s wedding?
ME
It’s not your problem to solve.
AUSTIN
I know, but you shouldn’t have to face your family alone.
Or your ex’s family.
ME
You barely get any time off work. I’m not going to force you to spend it all with me.
AUSTIN
It’s not forcing if I’m volunteering.
ME
I might have a different plus-one.
AUSTIN
In the last ten minutes since Mallory messaged me?
ME
Yes!
AUSTIN
How?
ME
The Long Live Girlies are leaning into their matchmaking ways.
AUSTIN
You’re okay with that?
I thought you decided matchmaking was out of the question after the mama’s boy *rolling on the floor laughing emoji*
ME
Yeah, Patrice’s matchmaking *grimacing face emoji*
But I trust my besties.
AUSTIN
At this point, anyone will be a step up from the mama’s boy or Mr. Kiss Cam…
ME
Right?
But if all goes according to their plan, I might have a wedding date!
AUSTIN
Well, I’m here if things fall through.
ME
So, my backup plan?
AUSTIN
You wound me.
ME
You’re the one who said it!
AUSTIN
Just messing with you. I’ll be your backup plan anytime.
Hanging out with you on the beach sounds much better than playing video games with the team.
ME
I’m glad I rank higher than a bunch of stinky men in the locker room.
It’s a real confidence booster.
AUSTIN
Hey, you’re the one who said it! *winking face with tongue emoji*
ME
*face with rolling eyes emoji*
AUSTIN
Have fun at brunch!
My friends were right: Austin does know me.
Like the back of my hand. Maybe even better than I know myself.
He knows that I have brunch with my besties every Sunday morning and girls’ nights every Friday.
He knows that I like to dress comfortably the second I get home from a date. He indulges my sweet tooth.
But there are some things about me he doesn’t know. And I’d like to keep it that way.