CENTRAL PARK PARTY

"OKAY, LISTEN UP." Lauren shouts over everyone.

I focus on her long pony, pulled up with a white scrunhie, and spilling over the top of her white visor. She's one of those brides. White has become the only color known to her.

"YOO!" Brody shouts at Alex and Nate, both still talking to each other and laughing about some shit.

"Okay, so first, we are going to play frisbee," Lauren begins, clapping her hands together. "Yes, frisbee! It's easy for everyone and we won't sweat too much."

"Speak for yourself. I'm playing ultimate frisbee," Nate says.

"Same." Meg nods.

I should note they are both already sweaty from their morning run through the park.

"Okay. Line up!" Alex starts arranging the guys in some type of order.

"This way. Oh, come on. It's easy!" Lauren is telling Trix.

It's guys against girls, because there are teams in frisbee. Who knew? And I don't care what anyone says, frisbee is not nerdy. And there's abso nothing leisurely about it either.

We even have a mini audience thanks to all the dogwalkers, power joggers, and moms pushing their double strollers on their daily Starbucks runs.

My mid-morning nerves dissipate with each degree climb in temperature. By afternoon I am shaking my doubts from this morning completely. Last night really was fine. Today is it. Then tomorrow, Josh and I will be back to our own life, miles and miles away from Hurricane Brooks.

"Catch!" Whit shouts at me from behind. I stretch my arm out to the side, nearly throwing my shoulder out of its own socket, and grab the orange frisbee.

"Nice catch," Cece smiles beside me.

"Thanks," I mumble before flinging the disc over to Lauren.

Of all the girls on the "field" I am of course closest to Cece. She's like some rainbow unicorn I can't escape. Her and her cute little Edge tank top.

"So," she says taking a step closer to me so only I can hear. "Josh is super cute."

I tear my gaze from Alex and Brody, now both running for the frisbee, and stare at Cece.

REALLY? This chick wants to whisper in my ear how hot my current boy toy is? What does she expect, me to share the sentiment? Return the accolade?

Nope. Not gonna happen.

Brooks's arm flexes as he throws the frisbee to Travis and I force my eyes to look five feet over at Josh.

Josh has nice arms too.

"He is." I nod.

"How long have you guys been dating?" Cece asks, tightening her pony.

"About 10 months maybe?" I shrug.

"About the same as us," she says, eyes following Brooks.

"Imagine that."

I hope it doesn't sound too sarcastic. I hope she didn't notice my scrunched nose when glancing at her ring just now.

"I know you guys used to be a thing –I mean, maybe a thing?" Cece says, looking at me like she isn't sure if it's a question or not.

I side stare at her before watching Meg catch Lauren's toss.

Speak, Emmy. Speak!

"And I'm just so thrilled it's not weird. And that you guys are all such good friends still–"

"Yup," I answer quickly, praying she'll stop.

As if Brooks and I are such good friends still. Big LOL.

"I mean when Brooks told me he still saw all his high school friends and barely talked to his college buddies, well. It's the complete opposite for me. I just never had a solid group like this. It's almost... weird." Cece laughs.

Of all the words I thought she'd say, weird was not it. Though, she's smacked it head on.

"Can't argue that," I say, almost smiling myself.

Cece strikes yet again. Ugh! She's so likeable it's stupid.

I pick up my water bottle and gulp it down.

"Oh, I love that sticker," Cece says beside me.

I'm about to ask what when I see her staring at the water bottle tumbler in my hand.

"Go Zen Yourself. That's so clever!" Cece laughs. "Must have one."
"I think I have some in the bottom of my bag," I tell her.

"I really admire what you've done with Go Zen. I mean, you're still so young and already have multiple studios and a solid online presence."

"Thanks. It's been a ride," I shrug.

"I'm unhealthily obsessed with the recipes you post online. That peanut butter coconut milk smoothie last week. Delish. Of course, I haven't been to a studio –Haven't gotten to Seattle lately. Hey, you should open one in LA!" Cece tilts her head at me.

"Um–" I can't get past Cece Majors subscribing to Go Zen. Zoe will die.

"Sorry, I'm like mega fan-girling you right now. That's not weird right? Sure, a touch weird, but totally not creepy, right?" Cece smiles.

I sigh internally, probably a little bit externally too, but can't help but laugh back.

"Zero creepiness. And I'm not that young. Almost thirty."

"Well, you look like you're a hot piece of 25-year-old bum bum." Cece rolls her eyes like she's annoyed at my hotness. Like she's one to talk.

"As if you aren't also incredibly successful yourself," I jest.

Cece catches the frisbee in a graceful pirouette. She spins around and tosses to Whit.

"Oh sure, if having a photogenic face is a success." Cece smirks. "Nothing like being a business owner. Like you and Brooks."

Ouch.

"Speaking of –Oh my God! You should absolutely do a branding partnership with Edge. We can develop a Go Zen Edge line. I'm sure Brooks will be into it–"

"Yea, maybe." I am quick to end that discussion. For many reasons, not just the sting of her saying we can develop...

I catch the disc from Trix and run two feet to toss it to Meg. I can't keep my head straight anymore. I need a coffee like I need air.

"And I will 100% mention you –Go Zen I mean –in the next story I post of your recipe collection," Cece says matter-of-factly.

"That's so sweet. That would be so great," I say, genuine. It would be great. This bitch has close to 1 mil followers. #influencerlife

"No prob at all. Women helping women," Cece grins.

"Love it," I nod, taking another swig of water.

I'm barely aware that Lauren is talking again, rounding us all up so we can go and eat.

Brooks moseys over towards us, Alex and Josh walking in pace behind him.

Cece skips two steps away from me to greet Brooks with a swift kiss. I promptly scatter like they have the plague.

I don't interrupt Alex and Josh. I tell myself it's because I'm stronger than Cece and don't need to be kissing my man 24/7, but meh. Not sticking. Not in the mood to tell myself lies.

"Now it's picnic time!" Lauren announces.

"Good because I'm fucking starving," Meg says, walking up to me.

"Same," Trix says, joining us. "And my boobs are so sore. I need to breastfeed."

"Mom probs," I tease her.

"How was that?" Meg asks, eyes narrowed at me.

"That being Cece trying to be my one-on-one partner?" I ask, shaking my head. "It was good. She told me how hot Josh was."

"HA!"

"Shut up!"

They both laugh at me.

"Yup," I nod.

"Makes sense," Meg nods.

"You guys do have the same taste in men," Trix elaborates.

"Totally."

"Thanks guys." I shove them off my arms.

Meg squirts her water bottle at us.

"She also thinks –get this," I say laughing. "–That Brooks and I should "collab" on Go Zen Edge. Because you know, we're such a great pair." I try to keep the sarcasm volume down. Heavy on the air quotes though.

"Dead," Meg says, shaking her head.

"Why don't I hate it though?" Trix asks, frowning with guilt. "She's trying!"

"I know, I know," I admit. "She is."

"Imagine if she were the devil. Or like, a really shit person," Meg suggests.

We mosey over to the covered pavilion, joining the rest of the group, and I see that by picnic time Lauren means eating hoagie trays and Med-Greek charcuterie boards dropped off by Uber Eats.

Brooks and Josh are talking across the picnic table, but I can't make out what they're saying. At least it seems civil. I fill my plate with fried falafel bites, a few cucumber slices, and some olives as Trix and Whit sit down on either side of me.

I sit back, pop a Kalamata olive into my mouth, and let the picnic commence...