Page 99 of How to Ruin a Wedding

“How about we focus on the hobby youaregood at,” I say. “How fast can you find Nick’s contact info?”

“How fast can you make your signature mofongo?”

“An hour and a half?”

“Make it tasty.” Taina grins. “All right, plan time.”

I raise a brow. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Taina says, pulling out her phone. “The universe speaks to me.”

“I’ll kill you.”

“Just tell me what you need from me. You’re going to invite him down, right? Set up a meet-cute?”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“God, Lucy, read a book, will you?”

“Anyway,” I go on, “if you mean getting him down for the Jack and Jill party this week, then sure.” I sort through blurred, drunk memories of our night of venue hunting. “I think he lives in North Carolina.”

“Not at all too far; doesn’t even warrant a flight.”

“Can you get me his contact info?” I ask. “Some general info on him?”

“Can a dog bark?”

I give her an exasperated stare.

“Okay, I’m on it. How are you going to get him down?”

“I’m pretty sure Valerie changed her number when she moved on to her next boyfriend. I can pretend I’m her with mine.”

“All right, we’re doing this.”

“I’mdoing this. And then after this,” I add, folding my arms, “you’ll book a flight home, right?”

Taina freezes. “What?”

“I appreciate your help, and it’s been nice seeing you, but I have to finish this up on my own.”And you have to go back home before Mathew realizes you’ve been helping me all along.

She shakes her head. “No way, it’s getting good. I’m not leaving yet. What if you need me again?”

“I won’t,” I promise, “but thanks.”

She crosses her arms against her chest. “No.”

“Taina, I’m serious.” My brows pull together. “This is my mess; you’ve done enough to help.”

“Why can’t I stick around the whole time? I’m your sister,” she snaps, eyes flashing. “It felt like you were finally relying on me. You don’t just cut that thread now because you feel like it. Why can’t I be around, just in case?”

“I’m not pushing you out,” I say, even though I absolutely am. “I’m just letting you off the hook.”

Taina’s voice sharpens. “I want to be on the hook.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It does, and you know it,” Taina says. “Besides, youdoneed me. Not just for wedding wrecking, but God, you need a reminder to lighten up a bit. Not freak out after you overthink about what you and Anders have fallen into. Live a little.”