And I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
But it’s too late either way.
Brett nudges my shoulder with his. “We ride in less than forty-eight hours, Riv. Smoke your doubts while you still can.”
I light up again.
But no cigarette can smoke away my doubts.
Present Day…
By the time Brett and I get our drink, the staff has set up for Alex’s bachelor bash in the courtyard.
Sebastian, Jake, and Alex arrive and join us, which I’mhappy about, though I wanted a few more minutes alone with Brett. Things still aren’t right between us, and though I know I need to give it time, I’m used to Brett and me always talking things out like we used to while sitting on that split rail fence at the ranch.
Brett takes a sip of his bourbon. “Hey, guys.”
Alex smiles. “I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to bachelorhood than to be here with all of you. Allfourof you.” He nods to Jake. “I know you have a story, bud, and I want to hear it, but let’s have a drink first.”
Jake nods. “I don’t want anything to spoil your big day tomorrow,” he says. “My story can wait. Tonight and tomorrow are about you.”
Staffers serve us a sumptuous dinner of grilled lobster dripping in garlic butter, jerk chicken with charred pineapple salsa, coconut rice, roasted plantains, and rum-soaked everything.
“Best Alex stories!” Sebastian shouts after swallowing a mouthful of lobster.
I open my mouth to speak when a few male staffers drag out the oversized woven rugs from the yoga room and lay them down in uneven circles across the ground. A few women scatter dried flower petals in a slow, methodical trail, like they’re marking a path.
“What the…” Brett starts.
The staffers continue, arranging beach stones and then pouring salt around them. One of the bartenders lights a bundle of dried flowers—lavender, maybe something local—and the air shifts. Smoky floral scents catch in my throat.
Someone pulls a speaker out from behind a potted palm and cues up a playlist full of drums and low, pulsing beats.
“What exactly did you tell Evie you wanted tonight, Al?” Seb asks.
Alex shakes his head. “This isn’t for me. I swear.”
“Is it for the women then?” I ask. “Emily told me they were celebrating on the beach.”
“Got me.” Alex shrugs.
We finish our dinner and instead of dessert, we sip on a smoky Armagnac. Damn, it’s smooth.
“So about those Alex stories,” Jake says but then widens his eyes.
“Hey, big fella.” A gorgeous blonde dressed in a flowing silk robe embroidered with dragons slides into view.
It’s Jazz, Ariel’s friend from home.
Shouldn’t she be?—
She sheds the robe to reveal a lacy red teddy. “I’ve got a special present for our bachelor tonight.”
EPISODE 240
COMPLICATED
Emily
