Page 46 of Colors and Curves
“Hey, that’s my family you’re talking about.” Lacey swats their arms, then giggles.
“You sure know how to throw a party,” I compliment Jocelyn. She beams.
“You have no idea,” Lacey chimes in. “She’s the party queen. I’m surprised she’s not the wedding planner for Sophia and Drew’s wedding.”
“That’s my sister, Tessa’s, job,” Sophia points out. “She’s even more detail oriented than Jocelyn is. You should see the binder she has with her. We’re including a lot of German traditions in the wedding. Well, we’re trying to anyway.”
“With a lot of German beer, I hope,” Josh interrupts with a chuckle.
“Josh, she talked Chloe’s ear off about the flowers. No wonder your sister escaped and went to another party,” Sophia jokes.
“Well, I’m busy making your dress too,” Jocelyn adds. “That’s the most important thing. I’m under a lot of pressure to make it perfect. Which it will be.” She starts to bite her nail, then self-consciously pulls her hand down. “Anyway, I need to socialize. We have so much food. Please eat, or I’ll make you take home a doggie bag.” And she’s off, Sophia and Lacey following in her wake.
Maybe I’ll sneak some for Chance, even though I shouldn’t feed him too much human food.
“Daisy, want to get something to eat or drink?” Josh asks.
My body stiffens and Skylar squeezes my waist. “Yeah,” she says. “Why don’t you two check out the buffet. Daisy, your cake is almost gone already.”
Daisy nods with a giant smile and walks away with Josh.
Skylar covers my mouth with her hand before I can comment. “Don’t worry. He wouldn’t do anything to piss me off or you. He’s a flirt but a genuinely nice guy. Would that be so bad for Daisy?”
“It’ll be hard for me to see her with any guy. No one will ever be good enough for her.”
“Relax. She’ll be—” My phone cuts her off. I pull it out of my pocket.Huh.
“It’s Cameron. Let me go where it’s quieter.”
“Sure, I’ll wait here for you.”
I walk off to the side of the house. “Hey, Cameron. What’s up?”
“Julius, you’ve got to come to the vet. Chance collapsed at the dog park. He’s in with the doctor now. I can’t do anything because I’m not his owner.” He tries to explain, but I can’t understand him very well. I don’t like how his voice sounds, like it’s worse than he’s saying.
“Cameron, slow down. Text me where the vet is. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I rub my hands through my hair.Chance is fine. He’s a trooper.I turn to find Skylar. She sees my face and reacts immediately.
“What’s the matter? You’re white as a ghost and you’re rubbing your hand through your hair like you want to pull it out. You always do that when you’re upset or nervous.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to go. Cameron just called and said something’s happened to Chance. They’re at the vet. Where’s Daisy?”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No. You stay here with your family. I’m sure he’s fine.” I look over her shoulder and search for Daisy in the crowd. “I’ll take her with me.”
“Are you sure? You’re worrying me.”
I kiss her forehead. “Yes. Stay here and enjoy the party. I’ll call you when we know what happened.”
“Okay, but just so you know, I’m not happy about this. I want to go with you.” I shake my head and she sighs. “All right. I’ll go get Daisy and tell Jocelyn and Christian that you’re leaving.”
“Tell them I’m sorry we have to go so soon. I’ll be out front.”
Ten minutes later, the taxi arrives and Daisy and I are on our way to the vet.
“I’m sure it’s nothing major.” I keep saying it, trying to convince myself it’s true. But I keep getting text messages from Cameron asking when we’ll be there. “He’ll be fine.”