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whichever color I choose, bridesmaid, so tread
carefully. Personally, I think you’d look lovely in lilac, Liv.” I made a
choking sound and we dissolved into laughter.
    “Okay seriously, first order of business as a bridesmaid,” I said
to the table, producing my agenda. “Don’t plan anything for the Saturday two
weeks away.” I looked at Gretchen pointedly who opened her mouth to object.
“Engagement party!” I cut in.
    Gretchen stopped short and nodded excitedly. Whatever date or party she has can surely wait , I thought.
    Lucy agreed readily – she’d been waiting for this moment her
entire life and was ready to go the distance. She listed off some ideas, all of
which I’d heard before, but I took notes anyway. “Come over this weekend,” I
said, turning my attention to Gretchen. “We can work on invitations as we plan. Gretchen and Olivia’s Party Planning Service .”
    “I’ll bring muffins,” Gretchen agreed.
    “And Luce, send over Andrew’s contacts,” I added, realizing that I
barely knew any of Andrew’s non-mutual friends.
    Right then, my phone pinged with Bill’s response.
     
    Apr 2, 2012 8:20 PM
    Out front
     
    “Ride’s here,” I said. “Gotta run. You guys need a lift?”
    “I’m meeting up with people.”
    “K. Luce?” She shook her head. I leaned over and kissed her on the
cheek. “Congratulations,” I said into her hair.
    A cool blast hit me as I stepped outside. Bill’s silhouette leaned
over the seat to open the door, and I was greeted with Robert Smith’s
melancholy voice. His mood could usually be determined by his choice of music.
The Cure meant brooding in our house.
    “Babe?” I asked.
    “If you’re going out, why can’t you get the train home?” he asked.
    “You could’ve said no,” I pointed out. I thought about how he used
to love driving me around, because it meant a little extra time together. I
glanced over in the darkness and wondered if he was remembering the same thing.
“Next time I’ll take the ‘L’.”
           “These
brakes are done,” he muttered. “I have to take the car in again.”
           “We
could get a new one,” I suggested for the third time since January. “Maybe my
dad’s Shelby?”
           “Why?
This one runs fine.”
           “It’s
old, Bill. It’s not like we can’t afford a new one.”
    “We can’t afford - ”
    “All right, maybe not the Shelby,
but something else. Just because it works – like your mother’s couch
– doesn’t mean it’s the best option.”
           “Liv,
we don’t need the Shelby. It’s not practical.” He grunted and after a moment,
slammed his fists into the steering wheel. “Come on! This isn’t goddamn rush
hour, what is the hold up?”
    Ignoring his outburst, I excitedly told him about Lucy and
Andrew’s engagement. His shoulders relaxed slightly, and I knew his resolve was
beginning to chip. “That’s great,” he said. “They make a great couple.”
    “They really do,” I agreed, looking out the window. Yellow street
lamps and dark shadows blurred together as we picked up pace.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 4
     
     
    GRETCHEN AND I SAT AT MY KITCHEN TABLE , laptops
open and address books splayed out, while we sipped two cups of coffee on Saturday
morning. She’d had invitations made during the week, and Andrew had e-mailed me
his contact list, agreeing to not only host the party at their place, but foot
the bill as well. That meant it was an expense I wouldn’t have to argue over
with Bill. Gretchen addressed envelopes as I, in my sweats, absentmindedly blew
on my drink, leaning my hip against the counter. I stared at the studied
handwriting of my stack of invitations, pleased with the outcome.
    “What
is this, the break room?” Gretchen interrupted my daze. “Back to work. Where’s
Bill anyway?” she asked abruptly, as though she’d just noticed his absence.
    “Basketball.
Andrew’s started playing with them, and I