Wet

“Like what?”

“There’s the spa day, then make-up and hair trial runs, the special wedding shower for the out-of-town relatives that missed the official shower . . . shall I go on?”

I shake my head. “Did you do all that crap when you got married?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. I didn’t want to but Bridezilla Stella made me. And since I’ve been a total bestie-fail with her wedding, I really need to step up this week.”

“Damn. I’m so glad I’m a dude.”

“I’m glad for that too.” She nods and winks.

Chapter Seventeen

THE CHALLENGE

“What’s in the big bowl?” I ask Thursday evening when I pick up Elle before driving us to my parent’s place. She’s holding it in her lap like it’s something precious.

“You’ll see. It’s a surprise.”

“You’re such a tease,” I say.

“And this is news to you?”

When we step into the kitchen Ma approaches us with a big grin.

“Ah, we’ve missed you, lass. I’m so glad you came tonight.”

“Me too,” Elle replies as they hug.

“Did you hear that our Patrick met a girl and he’s a hippy now?”

“I did indeed.”

“They’re up in his room meditating,” Ma tells us with a roll of her eyes.

“Meditating?” I snicker. “Sure they are. You keep telling yourself that, Ma.”

“Believe me, I’d rather he was shagging her. Whenever they meditate they burn that God-awful incense stuff that stinks up the entire upstairs. As a matter of fact, Paulie, can you go up and get them? Di

Before heading upstairs I hold up the bowl full of Elle’s mystery dessert. I’m tempted to rip a hole in the foil cover to see what it is. “Where does this go?”

“Let’s put it in the refrigerator until it’s ready to be served,” she says.

Ma’s eyes grow wide. “What did you make this time, lass?”

“Irish cream and berry trifle—and I put extra strawberries in it just for you, Millie.”

Ma’s hands fly up to her cheeks as she lets out a joyful cry. “You did not!”

“I did so,” Elle says with a grin.

Ma wraps her arm around Elle’s waist and squeezes her before looking up at me. “Paulie, I love this girl!”

A warm feeling shoots through me as my heart silently agrees, I do too, Ma. I do too.

Based on the ‘What, no meat!’ drama with Dad from our last di

Ma serves beef stew, knowing that it’s a favorite of Elle’s. Ma isn’t too subtle as to which of the two girls she prefers.

“So Paulie says that between your job being busy and taking care of your mom that you’ve been working hard, Elle,” Dad says before taking a roll from the basket and passing it on.

I watch her pretty smile fade to a serious look. “Yes, it’s helped to be busy.”

“Of course,” Ma replies.

“I think it’s important not to be busy,” hippy girl chimes in. “We have a tendency to fill every working hour with business to prevent really feeling all the deep thoughts that fill our soul.”

Patrick nods like the zombie hippy he’s become.

Trisha turns to Patrick. “What in the hell is she talking about?”

Skye leans forward. “Feeling, Trisha. Feeling everything and living every day like it may be your last.”

Trisha turns to Patrick. “Are you guys high?”

Patrick turns pale as an unbalanced spreadsheet. “Don’t be rude, Trisha! Of course we aren’t high.”

“Not now at least,” Skye says with an expression so neutral I can’t fully tell how much she’s fucking with us. She turns to Elle. “Don’t fill your days with work, Elle. It sucks the life from your soul. Ask yourself why you are so unhappy that you have to fill your emptiness in such a way.”

The entire room goes silent.

Elle’s devastated look should say everything to hippy girl, if she’d just pay fucking attention.

Patrick leans over and whispers something in Skye’s ear. I watch her cheeks redden as she looks down and folds her hands in her lap. She closes her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opens them she looks over at Elle.

“I’m so sorry,” she says softly.

“It’s okay. You didn’t know,” Elle replies.

Dad makes a feeble attempt to pass the rolls again. I can’t help it . . . I’m mad enough that I wish Skye would take one and then choke on it. I’m not as forgiving as Elle is.

Elle stands up. “Dessert, anyone?”

We all chime in and I rise to help Elle gather stuff.

She slides the trifle bowl out of the fridge as I watch. I then step up to her, take the bowl out of her hands, and set it on the counter before pulling her into my arms. I kiss the top of her head and hug her tightly, swaying slightly side to side.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She nods. “I know. Me too.”

“You okay? I’m starting to regret making you come tonight.”

“Don’t say that. I wanted to be here.”

“That stupid stuff Skye was saying made me want to stuff her in the stuffed potatoes.”

“It wasn’t stupid, there’s some truth in what she’s saying.”

“But she hurt you. I could see it on your face.”

“True . . . but she didn’t know about the baby.”

“Still . . .”

“I will say, it’s a little naïve of her to think you can go through life and not be busy and work hard if you are going to support yourself. Life is expensive.”

“Damn right.” I grab a beer out of the fridge and after taking a swig, Elle pulls the bottle out of my hand and takes one before handing it back to me.

She shrugs. “Maybe she’ll end up living in a commune or something, and not need cell phones and internet service. But that will never be me. I want more out of life, not less.”

I realize as she says it that I want more for Elle, too. She deserves it.

“I admire how hard you work,” I say.

She smiles. “Thanks. I feel the same about you.”

“I can’t help but worry about Patrick. I hope Skye doesn’t make him too freaky. It’s like an alien landed in our neighborhood and now she’s trying to abduct one of our own.”

“I think he’s finding himself. Maybe she’s good for him. She can loosen him up and get him to try things he never would have.”

I think about tofu and chanting and shake my head. “The sex better be great.”

“Well, judging from how happy he looks with her, let’s assume it is.”

Realizing we better rejoin the family before they send out a search party, I gesture to the dessert. “Shall we?”

She smiles and peels the foil off the top. I peek over her shoulder.

“Whoa! Is that pudding or something?”

“It’s a little bit of everything good . . . so yummy.”

I gather up the bowls, and follow her back out to the dining room.

Dad seems excited. “Is that trifle, lass?”

Elle nods with a grin.

Dad and Ma share a look. I can only imagine what they’re thinking. With every moment like this I know Elle is settling deeper into their hearts.

She stands above the bowl as she serves it up. She even remembered to bring separate servings of just the fruit for the vegan freaks. I watch her with pride.

Damn, she’s amazing.

When I take my first bite, my eyes roll back in my head as I groan.

“You like it?” Elle asks with a demure smile.

“Hell yes! It’s fit for a prince!”

“King,” Patrick says. “You mean fit for a king. That’s the saying.”

The corner of Elle’s mouth curves up and she winks at me.

I notice Skye studying us and I sense more awkwardness up ahead.

“How long have you two dated?” Skye inquires.

I’m still watching Elle as I answer, “We aren’t dating. We’re just friends.”