Even if she couldn’t stop thinking them.
Instead, they talked about the wedding and joked about old times. About how nervous Juliet was to have her parents in Bliss, meeting her fiancé for the first time on the same day she married him. They laughed through the entire visit to the nail salon—big belly laughs that forced their nail techs to sit back and wait for them to be done before leaning into their work again.
It was good. It was really, fucking good. And Willow realized how much of a gaping, Juliet-sized hole she had in her heart. It had been months since she had seen her at all. As Julz started into a ridiculous story about Harry’s sister Lilah and her complete inability to understand what it meant to work for anything, Willow found herself wondering if she could have a life in Bliss, too.
With Juliet.
With Harry.
She pushed the thought away because, other than Harry and Julz, what was there for her? Her career only existed in New York City because she couldn’t imagine dancing for a company other than American City Ballet. How could she even consider walking away from that? She wasn’t just living her dream. She was living the dream of so many hopeful dancers.
She was something in New York. What could she possibly be in Bliss?
With Harry. You could be with Harry, her heart answered, and she pushed the thought away.
Of course, Juliet noticed something was off and arched a questioning eyebrow. “You good?” she asked and reached across the space separating their pedicure chairs to place her hand on top of Willow’s.
She smiled and sighed. “Did you know I thought you were crazy for moving down here? Leaving the city behind for a tiny little town and a tiny little life.” Willow heard how judgmental the statement sounded and made an apologetic face.
Juliet looked surprised. “Did you?”
Willow nodded. “I sure did.” She swallowed hard and met her friend’s eyes. “But the thing is, I don’t now. Not one bit.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Willow
At the last minute, Harry and Willow decided the combined bachelor/bachelorette party for Ian and Juliet would be a surprise. As casually as she could, Willow asked the couple to take her to Harrison’s for dinner, under the pretense that he knew just how to prepare the right kind of meal for her. They agreed, but gave her the side-eye just the same, and Willow steeled herself for the inevitable teasing that would come at her expense.
Later that day, as they got ready for the evening, Juliet finally caved to the temptation.
“Why am I not surprised you want to have dinner at Harrison’s tonight?” she asked from the doorway to the guestroom.
Tilting her head to see her friend as she fastened an earring, Willow arched a sarcastic eyebrow. “Why am I not surprised that you’re giving me a hard time about it?”
Juliet widened her eyes when she saw Willow’s outfit—a form-fitting sapphire blue sheath dress and a pair of strappy heels that cost more than Willow would ever admit to spending. “Damn, girl! You look amazing.” She glanced at her own outfit. “Should I change?” Juliet had chosen a simple white sundress and paired it with a denim jacket and boots. “This is the dress I wore the second time I met Ian. The day he gave me a place to live.” She smiled, her eyes misting as she traveled back to the memory.
“Then no,” Willow replied. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
The teasing about choosing Harrison’s as their dinner destination continued on the drive over. Willow just smiled through the abuse and quietly ran through the surprise party checklist she and Harry came up with the day before. The event had come together so easily once they decided to have it at Harry’s restaurant, the hardest part had been notifying the guests. They caught a lot of flak for waiting so long to contact people, but not one person turned them down.
All the Moores would be there, of course. Ellie Charles, who was carrying a Moore in her belly. Some of the people Ian worked with. A few friends. Lilah had been the worst, reminding Harry that when she had been the one throwing an engagement party, it had been on time and well-planned. The list hadn’t seemed all that big when they made it, but as they pulled into the parking lot, they had a hard time finding an open spot. Willow took the opportunity to send a quick text to let Harry know they’d arrived.
“Wow.” Offering his elbow to Juliet, Ian nodded at the full lot. “Good for Harry. He deserves this kind of success.”
Willow beamed as she mentally ticked off all the reasons Harry deserved success. He was kind. Hard-working. Generous. Sexy. Hilarious…
“Oh, my goodness…just look at your face!” Juliet rolled her eyes as she linked her other elbow with Willow, then turned to Ian with a conspiratorial grin. “My best friend has it bad for your baby brother.”
Ian leaned around Juliet and took a quick look at Willow. “Good. Like I said, he deserves to have good things in his life.”
Willow blushed and watched her feet striking the pavement, enjoying both the compliment and the anticipation of the surprise. She stepped back as Ian opened the front door and ushered Juliet inside. As planned, the guests were gathered near the hostess station, ready and waiting.
Exuberant voices greeted the couple as the door closed behind them. “Surprise!”
Juliet shrieked and put her hands to her mouth while Ian laughed and turned on Willow. “You tricky little thing!” he said, then looked back to the guests, where Harry appeared out of the crowd with his hand extended. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down, little brother.”
“No way in hell.” Harry grasped Ian’s hand, then pulled him close to thump him on the back.
“This is perfect.” Juliet put her hands
