Like usually, I stay up too late watching TV, sleep in, and have to rush around like a mad woman to get all my shit done before packing an overnight back and driving the hour and a half to my mom and dad’s. I sing along with Rachel Platten on the way, and time passes quickly. A little guilt rises inside of me when I stop by the bakery Erin runs with her sisters before stopping home to see my mom, but I know if I go home first I’ll never get out. Mom’s a talker.

There’s a parking spot right in front of the pink storefront,  which stands out next to the red brick fronts that surround it. Located on the main street and right in the middle of this town, Sweet Treats sticks out and is always busy. I grab my purse and get out, locking the Malibu as I hurry out of the misting rain and into the store. A little bell dings above me and I snicker as I remember the moaning lady at the sex shop.

I’m so mature sometimes.

“Hey!” I call over the small crowd gathered in front of a display of colorful cupcakes. Erin’s sister, Andrea, smiles and waves.

“She’s in the back,” she tells me and boxes up a cupcake for a little girl. I pass by and duck behind the counter. Erin is frosting a cake when I step through double doors into the back room. She looks up and beams.

“About time! I was wondering if I was going to have to call out a search party.”

I laugh and shake my head. We’ve been friends since middle school, and though we’ve gone a while without seeing each other since I took this job, nothing is ever awkward around this girl. “I run on my own time.”

“I’ve noticed. How was the drive?”

“Not bad, actually. Traffic flowed, which means I’ll get stuck when I go home for sure.”

“I’m almost done,” she says. “I’m just doing the first layer now.”

“Have anything to taste test?” I ask.

“Actually yes,” she replies and carefully spins the cake. “Not really to test, but there’s a batch of cupcakes that didn’t turn out the right shade of green. Over there.” She uses a spatula to point. I shuffle over and grab one. The green is kind of a puke color, but the cupcake tastes delicious.

Erin is washing pink frosting off her hands by the time I’m done eating. We go into the tiny break room to catch up for a few.

“I like the blonde,” Erin says, eyeing my hair.

“Thanks. I figured I’ll leave it for a while before going back to my original color. It’s kind of a pain to keep up with.”

A natural blonde herself, Erin laughs. “Yeah, but aren’t dark roots showing trendy now? Or was that last season? Er, maybe last year?”

“You’re guess is as good as mine.”

We chat about work, our Comic Con costumes again, and how annoying Erin’s husband David is. Really, he’s a good guy and is good to Erin. She married him rather young while they were still both in college and I couldn’t think of anyone better for my best friend.

“What kind of wedding duties do you have to do tonight?” she asks as we walk to the front of the store.

“I’m not really sure. I think just dinner at my parents, house then get to the country club a few hours before the shower to decorate.” I roll my eyes. “Is it really going to take that long to decorate for a shower? I get going all out for a wedding, but for a shower … come on.”

Erin laughs. “I’ll be there like half an hour before with the cake. And your new sister-in-law is going all out. The cake she ordered cost as much as a wedding cake. You don’t even want to know what the actual cake for the wedding looks like. It’s gorgeous and big, and I’m excited to make it, but damn, her parents must have some money.”

“They do,” I say and feel bad that I don’t know what they do. I should know this girl better, right? I pull my sweater closed, the mist had turned into rain, and give Erin a one-armed hug. “See you tomorrow.”

“See ya. Have fun tonight.”

I force a smile. “I’m sure it will be loads.”

*

I tip the glass of wine, getting the last bit of red moscato. Waste not, right? I set the empty glass down on the coffee table next to me and listen to my brother tell what I assume is a funny story about work. Everyone is laughing, but I’ve zoned out a bit, thinking of who I could take as a date to the wedding. It was still a while away. I had time to find someone. Maybe even a boyfriend.

And if not, there’s always Cameron. He’d at least be well dressed.

I look at the clock, wondering how much longer it will be before my dad orders pizza. My eyes wander around the living room. I know Mom’s nervous about what Danielle and her parents think of the house.

I’m fond of my childhood home, of course, but it really is nice. Mom and Dad kept it that way, with upgrades every few years, redecorating, and obsessive cleaning. I didn’t realize how much work went into it all until I moved out and had my own house to take care of. Along with the house, they have the cabins by the lake, renting out to vacationers who come to the serene town of Mistwood, Michigan. Between managing the dock and the rental boats, maintaining the Pinterest-worthy cabins, and keeping their own house clean, I don’t know how Mom and Dad do it.

My brother and Danielle are sitting on the love seat, arms linked and looking so in love. Jake is tall like Dad, but has dark-brown hair like Mom and me. We both have green eyes, much unlike our parents, who have brown and hazel eyes. People say they can tell we are siblings, but I’ve never seen it. He’s three years younger than me and has been a pain in the ass his whole life, but he is my baby brother and I love him. I want him to be happy. He’s a good guy and deserves it.

Danielle, on the other hand … well, I don’t know. I hope she’s worthy of my brother. I try not to obviously scrutinize her. She teaches sixth grade history here in Mistwood, so I assume the woman has patience to deal with pre-pubescent teens day in and day out. She is petite and pretty, with auburn hair and freckles dotted across her cheeks. They’ve been dating about a year and a half, and got engaged a few months before I took the job in Grand Rapids, making it hard for me to actually get to know her. She’s polite, excitedly talking wedding plans and details with the moms while the guys talked sports.

“Well,” Jake says and stands, giving Danielle a hand up. “You two better get going so you don’t miss your reservation.” His eyes fall on me.

“Where am I going?” I ask, pushing my hair back.

“Dinner,” Jake says, eyebrows raising, giving me a look that says I’m supposed to know this.

“Why me?” I blurt. He did say the two of us, meaning me and Danielle.

“All the bridesmaids are going,” Danielle says with a smile. “And you’re a bridesmaid.”

“Oh,” I say and shake my head. “Okay. Uh, when are we going?” I glance down at my Star Wars leggings and oversized black shirt. My hair had been up and down in a twisted bun all day and was currently hanging in a tangled mess around my makeup-free face.

“We should leave in no more than ten minutes,” Danielle says, voice edging on annoyance.

“I’ll get changed,” I say and stand, hurrying up to my old room. Great. How was I going to get ready in time? I unzip my bag and throw out all the clothes I brought. I hadn’t packed much, since I anticipated lounging around the house, the bridal shower, then going home.

I trade my leggings for dark jeans and the baggy T-shirt for a white tank top. I pull a gray button-up cardigan on, buttoning it halfway as I rush into the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face, dry it, then apply eyeliner, foundation, and mascara as fast as I can. I speed brush my teeth and comb my fingers through my hair.  The natural waves are out in full force thanks to the rain and humidity. There’s no hope, so I rake it to the side and braid it. I’m halfway down the stairs before I remember I don’t have shoes, turn around, trip, and scramble to get them.