“Meg, I’m so happy you could come.” Natalie taps my shoulder and pulls me into a big hug. “I’ve missed you, girl.”
“Me too,” I respond, holding her close and then pulling back to admire the lovely woman before me. “You look fantastic. Marriage and motherhood agree with you, my friend.”
And it’s true. Natalie’s green eyes shine with happiness and contentment, her dark chestnut hair is pulled back away from her face in waves, and she is wearing a fantastic black sleeveless gown.
“Thank you. I love that dress. Your style hasn’t changed a bit,” she responds with a grin. I look down at my pale silver strapless dress with handkerchief hemline and strappy silver sandals.
“Not much of anything has changed,” I respond with a shrug.
“Except your hair, as usual,” Natalie laughs, pointing at my auburn hair streaked with chunky blonde highlights, and I chuckle with her.
“My hair always changes, and this is pretty tame for me. The kids enjoy it, and well, you know… once a rocker chick, always a rocker chick.”
“You know,” Natalie grins smugly. “I still have those photos we did of you with your guitar, and nothing else.”
“Oh God,” I giggle at the memory of playing around in Natalie’s small college studio all those years ago. “You might want to burn those.”
“No, I’m just thinking we should shoot them over again. You didn’t have that back then,” she points to my inner arm and I follow her gaze to the tattoo on my inner upper arm.
“Maybe someday.”
“So…” she begins but is interrupted by her husband. “Oh, Meg, this is my husband, Luke. Luke, I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine and Jules, Megan McBride.”
“Hello, Megan, nice to meet you.” He offers me his right hand and I feel my cheeks flush slightly before I respond, placing my hand in his to shake. But instead, he raises it to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
“Um, it’s nice to meet you too, Luke.”
He flashes me his movie-star grin, the one that used to grace every magazine cover in the country, and then excuses himself when Caleb, another of Jules’ brothers, calls to him.
“Um, Nat?”
“Yeah,” she replies with a satisfied sigh.
“You’re married to Luke Williams.”
She chuckles and nods her head. “I am.”
“How the fuck did that happen?”
“Long story. I’ll fill you in over wine one night.”
“It’s a date.”
“There you are!” Jules exclaims and wraps one of each of her arms around us into a group hug. “Meg, I’m so glad you made it!”
“I wouldn’t miss it. Although, I was surprised to get the invite.”
“You’re my friend. I wanted you here.” Jules grins and searches the room until her eyes find her man’s.
“He’s very handsome, Jules. And completely gone over you.” I murmur and follow her gaze.
“Yeah, he is. It’s mutual.”
“I’m happy for you.” I sip more sweet champagne.
“Thanks.” Her smile is wide and happy, and it’s true, I am so happy that she found her guy. They are great together.
“When do we eat?” Will asks from a table not far from us. I’ve been doing my best to ignore Will Montgomery, aka Football Quarterback, aka arrogant ass all night. I’ve managed to stay out of his way and avoid another introduction, but I’ve felt his eyes on me all night, which I don’t get. I’m surely not his type, and it’s no secret that I’m not interested.
“The buffet is ready to go, Miss Montgomery.” A pretty, curvy blonde walks up to Jules with a wide smile. “Dinner is ready when you are.”
“Perfect, thank you, Alecia. Be sure you and your assistant eat too.”
“Oh, we will.” Alecia laughs and walks away, consulting her iPad.
“God, I love that woman.” Jules exhales and smoothes her hands down her floaty red chiffon strapless dress.
“She’s amazing,” Nat agrees.
“Who is she?” I ask.
“Party planner,” Jules replies. “I found her when I hosted Nat’s baby shower a few months ago. She’s also doing the wedding. She’s a genius.”
“She’s my fucking hero,” Will grumbles and follows after Alecia. “I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving!” Jules yells after him and laughs.
* * *
How I ended up at Will’s table is a mystery to me. In fact, I’m sitting with all of Jules’ impossibly handsome brothers, a sweet woman named Brynna, and Jules’ sister-in-law, Stacy, who is lovely and very pregnant. Like, pop any day pregnant.
Everyone is laughing, joking with each other, and they all look incredible.
Why the hell didn’t I bring a date? Most likely because the last time I went out on a date a tsunami hit Japan.
Pathetic.
“So, Megan, what do you do?” Jules’ brother Matt asks me.
“I’m a charge nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital.”
“What department?” he asks and cuts into his steak.
“I work with teens on the cancer care floor.” I take a bite of roasted potato and a sip of wine. I’m going to need more of this.
“How long have you done that?” Matt asks and I notice Will scowl. What the hell is his problem?