Best Friends (New Species #15)(66)

“You look ready to jump out of your skin.” Mel leaned in close and bumped her shoulder. “Breathe.”

She turned her head and gave her best friend a pleading look. “Can I go home now?”

“No. You made it through my wedding but the reception isn’t over. Dancing is up next, and then I’m going to toss the bouquet. You have to try to catch it…and I happen to have inside information that you’ve totally got this in the bag. The few New Species women who came swear they don’t want to be mated. They’ll clear the area for you to make sure you get it.”

“I don’t want to find a man that bad.”

Mel sighed. “You like Snow.”

“Because he loves you, and he knows you’d be pissed if he attacked me. That means he’s got motivation to fight his instincts.”

Mel rolled her eyes. “That’s bull pucky. You’ve just had some bad luck.”

“Yeah, you’ve told me that before. Then you brought that cute little kitten into the diner that the Johnson family had just adopted from Animal Control, to prove me wrong. Do you remember what happened?”

Mel nodded. “It hissed at you and tried to jump on you.”

“Animals hate me.” She shrugged.

Mel looked around. “Well, New Species don’t. Some of the men are staring at your breasts, though. You’re showing a good amount of cleavage, what with you hunched over like that.”

“It’s likely my throat they’re staring at.”

Mel got that irritated look Mary knew too well. “You’re safe here. These folks are really…well…human. Forget they have fangs and get over it. Now, sit up straight like I’m sure your mama told you a million times while growing up and find your backbone.”

“My mother never said that to me.”

“Rub it in. Mine sure did. Then she’d touch my hair, ask if I was getting a yellow streak and say that I was embarrassing her. I still can’t believe her and my papa refused to come to my wedding. She’s praying for me with her church group instead.”

Sympathy rose for her best friend. Mel tried hard to seem like it didn’t matter that she didn’t get along with her mother, but Mary had seem glimpses of her pain. Especially when her family hadn’t reacted well when she’d told them about falling in love with a New Species. “She’s still upset that you married Snow? I hoped it would just take a few days to adjust to the surprise of your news and she’d get onboard.”

“She isn’t going to get over this. Snow is hurt that my folks aren’t happy about us, but I had to tell him the truth. It doesn’t matter. My mama’s more upset that she isn’t getting to marry me off to the old widower next door. She really did have her heart set on trading me for those corn fields and that bigger pond.”

Mary hoped Mel kept telling herself that, and it caused the hurt to lessen. There were a few choice things she’d love to tell Mel’s mother. None of them would be nice. “I remember. The neighbor’s old and he drinks, and she was hoping he’d die fast so you’d inherit all his property.”

“She’s never going to win a Mama of the Year award.” Mel grinned. “Plus, she swore she’d never come visit me and made it clear Snow wouldn’t be welcome there. Do you know what that means?”

“You don’t have to see your family ever again.”

Mel lifted her hand. “High-five me, best friend.”

Mary smacked her palm, despite seeing that hurt again in Mel’s eyes. “I’m so happy for you.”

Mel dropped her arm. “It’s your turn next to find what I have. That’s why I’m not letting you leave until after you catch the bouquet.”

“You don’t really believe in that crap, do you?”

“It couldn’t hurt. Why take a chance?”

“Fine. I’ll stay. I’m not dancing, though.”

“Hey, I can compromise.”

“Good.” Mary glanced around, and she did see men watching her. She dropped her gaze as fear surged. “Where’s a bathroom?”

“I’ll take you.”

That meant Mel would hustle to get her in and out as fast as possible, but Mary just wanted to hide. She guessed the women’s bathroom should be a safe place to do that. “No. You go dance with your new groom and just point the way. I won’t be too long.”

“I know what you’re up to. Do you have your cell phone in your purse?”

“Always.”

“Fine. Go drag out fixing your hair until I call you. Swear to me you won’t leave, though.”

“I swear.”

“Best friend honor?”

Mary sighed. “Best friend honor. I see that determined look in your eyes. I know better than to try to take off until you toss those flowers at me.”

“They’re silk. Snow remembered real ones make me sneeze. Isn’t he amazing?”

Mary really did feel happy for her friend. “He’s perfect for you.”

“He is.” Mel stood. “Come on. I’ll walk you across the room and point you in the right direction. Keep your purse close and make sure that your ringer is on. Don’t try to flush yourself down the toilet or anything.”