Taking Chances (Learning to Love) by LJ Baker Read Free Book Online Page A

were gone. It didn't even cross my mind that you were involved until Justin said something. You seriously don't remember any of it?"
    "No. I have little pieces, but after what you just told me, I don't even trust them."
    "Well, what do you remember?"
    I choked down the lump forming in my throat. "Not a lot."
    The other girls were finishing up and walking over in our direction. I slumped further into the seat and dropped my face into my hands. Christine and Becca both eyed my curiously.
    "Hangover," Jamie covered with, being a great friend.
    Kat shot me a sympathetic look. "You should have seen her this morning puking all over my rug."
    Christine sat down on the arm of the sofa next to me. "I didn't even realize you drank that much last night."
    Becca elbowed her playfully. "That's because you were busy trying to get Owen's attention the whole night."
    I turned to look at Christine and arched an eyebrow. "Owen, the hot best man?"
    She closed her eyes and moaned. "Mmm yes, that's the one.
    Kat narrowed her eyes at Christine. "Don't you have a boyfriend?"
    Kat had no right to be judgmental with the way she flirted with anything that had a pulse.
    Christine laughed. "Boyfriend is such a strong word."
    Jamie cleared her throat loudly. "Okay ladies, I think it's time to go pick up our dresses."
    ***
    The bridal shop was only two blocks from the salon and we walked so we didn't have to find street parking again. It was a bitch to find parking on Fridays. The walk helped clear my head a bit. By the time we got there, I was starting to feel a little better.
    My dress fit perfectly, so I found a cozy armchair out of the way to wait out the rest of the fittings. Of course, Jamie had a hissy fit because there was a single bead missing from the bodice of her gown. She had the poor seamstress in tears trying to find just the right bead to sew back on, perfecting her overpriced dress-for-a-day. Craziness, it was all craziness.
    My phone buzzed. I answered, grateful for the distraction from the current sideshow.
    "Hey baby sis. How goes the dress thing?"
    I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "You have no idea."
    "Feeling any better?"
    "Getting there. What's up?"
    "So, I just got off the phone with Dad…"
    I didn't like where he was headed. "And?"
    "Look Lex, before you try to say no, just hear me out."
    I laughed. "Matty, I can't say no if you don't tell me what it is."
    I didn't need to see him to know he was smiling. "Right, well, I told Dad we would meet him and Greta for lunch Sunday so we could go over the wedding details. Plus, it would be a good idea for you to meet her before the actual ceremony, don't you think?"
    "Yes." I wasn't going to lie and say I was looking forward to it, but I certainly could manage a lunch meeting.
    He paused for a moment, then spoke, sounding confused. "Yes, you think you should meet Greta, or yes, you will go?"
    "Both." I still didn't agree with the whole seventh wedding thing, but it felt good to do this for Matty.
    "Seriously? You're not mad? I thought you were going to fight me on this. Are you hitting the tequila again?"
    "No, I'm not mad, and no , I am not drinking." I shook my head at the phone. "You know how I feel about our father and his weddings. I agreed to do this for you, and meeting the bride to discuss details seems like part of the package."
    His voice grew serious. "This really does mean a lot to me."
    "I love you too, Matty. Now go back to work."

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    "What are you planning on wearing tonight?" Kat eyed my closet with suspicion.
    I knew she would be sticking her nose in there sooner or later to determine if I even owned anything appropriate for Club Verde. Knowing Kat, she probably had something all picked out for me and ready to go. What she didn't know was that I had picked up something even Kat would approve of the week before.
    "I have something, don't worry," I assured her, guiding her away from my closet.
    "Are you sure?