Emily nods and gives my arm a reassuring squeeze. “That’s the spirit.”
Easy for her to say. She’s got her man.
But just because my life’s in the toilet doesn’t mean Ariel and Emily can’t be happy.
We continue to chat about inconsequential things, avoiding the topic of Brett and Jake. It’s a welcome distractionfrom the roller coaster of emotions coursing through me.
As the night deepens and the stars twinkle overhead, June rises and grabs a champagne flute.
“Since Jazz seems to have disappeared,” she says, “I thought we could all toast Ariel.”
Emily and I look at each other, rolling our eyes. Some maid-of-honor Ariel’s bestie from down home turned out to be. Disappearing in the middle of the bachelorette party.
But Ariel is all smiles and laughter—happiness personified. She doesn’t seem to care that Jazz is missing. Her mom is here, Emily and I are here, as well as June, Heather, and Misty, who’s been on her good behavior since her brush with dehydration earlier.
She’s sitting alone while June raises her glass.
“To Ariel and Alex,” June says. “Whoever thought that our sweet little Southern belle would be the first to snag a billionaire?”
Is that a bit of snideness in her tone? I’m not sure. June is…
To be honest, I’m not surewhatJune is. But she’s toasting Ariel, who I like a lot, so I paste on my smile and clink my glass to Emily’s.
Then, without thinking, I walk over to Misty and clink my glass to hers. She offers me a weak smile.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Physically? I’m much better. Thank you for asking.”
Physically? She’s kind of inviting me to ask what’s wrong. Should I? I already feel like complete crap myself.
What the hell? Misery loves company.
“And emotionally?” I ask slowly.
She sighs. “It’s nothing I can talk about.”
“I imagine finding out you have a brother is pretty daunting.”
“It is, but that’s not the problem. I’m thrilled that Jake is alive. I can’t wait to get to know him better.”
I warm at the mention of Jake. Our kiss.
It shouldn’t have happened, but it was a great kiss. One I can’t stop thinking about…
I motion Emily over to join us.
“You doing all right?” she asks Misty.
“Yeah. Thank you for asking.”
Same thing she said to me.
“So where do you think that little blond twinkie Jazz got off to?” Emily asks.
Misty shrugs. “I’m not sure. She was here earlier, right? I mean, I guess I didn’t notice.”
“How could you not?” Emily rolls her eyes. “She’s louder than a freight train in stilettos.”
