As I make my way to a booth occupied by Nash’s groomsmen, Kevin and Seth, I pause, finding Anna’s bridesmaids standing by the jukebox, eyeing me dubiously and sniggering between themselves. Of course, they’re all dressed up as if they’re headed to some exclusive New York City hotspot. Beth’s dress is covered in sequins and barely conceals her butt. And here I am in overalls and my trusty old Converse. But we’re in Graceville, Georgia. Not the Meatpacking District or some equally trendy Manhattan neighborhood.

“Hey, Murph.”

I jump at the sound of the voice coming from behind me. A familiar voice that makes my eyes widen in fear as a cold shiver runs through me. Turning, I meet the piercing blue eyes of Emma, Harley’s ‘friend with benefits’, for lack of a better description. I openly wince, feeling all the blood drain from my face.

Now, it’s not that I don’t like Emma. I do. She’s nice enough and, in fact, over the years she and Harley have been doing their thing, she and I have become quite close. Under any other circumstance I’d love to see Emma standing in front of me. But the problem is she knows better than anyone that Harley and I are absolutely not a couple, because she hooked up with him only a few weeks ago when she was in town visiting her sister.

“Hi,” I finally say, my voice suddenly hoarse with the nerves racking through my entire body.

My eyes flit to Nash and Anna who are still currently all over one another by the pool table, and panic begins to set in. Where the hell is Harley? Has he told her? Does she know our secret? What if she gives everything away with one innocent remark? My heart races thunderously in my chest.

“So,” Emma starts, a mischievous grin curling her lips. “You and Harley, huh?” Her eyes sparkle as she waggles her brows up and down suggestively and, surprisingly, I don’t detect even the slightest hint of phoniness in her tone. Maybe he did tell her. Maybe she’s just playing along. Thank goodness. I really didn’t want my humiliating lie to come out tonight of all nights, in front of everyone. I’d never be able to live it down.

“He didn’t tell me until I got to town this afternoon,” she continues. “But I, for one, think it’s great.”

Wait. What? I can’t even try to conceal my confusion.

“Yeah!” She nods excitedly, clearly noticing the bewilderment in my eyes. “I’ve been rooting for y’all to get together forever!”

So, she really thinks we’re together? Harley told her we were together, for real?

I’m shocked. For all the years I’ve known Harley Shaw, I’ve never once known him to forfeit casual sex. I’m more confused than ever now, but I try to act unaffected as I offer a casual shrug. “Yeah.” I laugh once, swallowing hard. “It’s no big deal.” I brush it off with a wave of my hand before pulling my wallet from my purse. “I’m gonna go grab a beer,” I announce to the table. “What’s everyone drinking?”