I hold my hands up. “I know. Outwardly I’ve been lamenting Paul and how bad he’s screwed me over with the bakery but somehow this was slowly happening.” Please believe me. “What started with a run into each other outside your coffee shop a few months ago, ended up with him calling me for an order of cookies. That order turned into a conversation. A little flirting. Oddly enough we have a lot in common. We were friends—have been friends for the past three months. I thought what I was feeling for him was more of a thrill because another man was paying attention to me and hearing me and validating how I felt about things . . . but then a few weeks ago, he kissed me and—”

“That must have been one earth-shattering kiss for you to go and get married.”

“I know. It sounds crazy,” I say, finishing the lie we’d rehearsed over and over. “It wasn’t planned. The wedding. It was impulsive and the most reckless thing I’ve ever done but . . . it made me feel alive, Josie. Like . . . for the first time in as long as I can remember.”

She studies me as the shock gives way to hearing what I’m saying. She nods as if she understands and her incredulous smile softens. “When did this happen? I need details.”

“This past weekend. We were in Vegas and . . . and we joked about it, then the joke turned to driving to the chapel and—”

“And Elvis married you?” she barks as she pushes the call that comes through her phone to voicemail.

I nod. “Yes. Not the wedding I’d ever thought I’d have but . . . it was perfect nonetheless.” My smile is genuine because it really was a great night.

The dress. She’s not going to believe it was spur-of-the-moment when pictures are leaked and I’m in a wedding dress. Think.

Think.

“I mean who knew me pointing to a wedding dress in the window of a boutique in the hotel was going to turn into him daring me to try it on. Then he gave me a look and said, come on, let’s do it. Leap without looking. Live a little . . . I mean, I think I’m still in shock.”

Stop rambling, Hendrix. Rambling means lying. She knows you well enough to notice that.

She shakes her head. “I’m digesting all of this. Slowly. I might need a minute.”

“I’m still digesting it too.” I snort.

“It’s all so sudden. You didn’t think of waiting? I mean . . .”