Misty snorts. “Okay, fair. But she kind of blends in when she’s not trying to be centerstage. Like camouflage with glitter.”
Emily raises an eyebrow. “Well, she’s not blending now. She’s vanished. And you know what that means.”
Misty groans. “Drama?”
Emily grins. “Always.”
Funny. Misty is usually the one causing the drama. She definitely doesn’t seem like herself.
I take another sip of my drink, my mind drifting back to Brett and Jake.
“Hey.” Emily nudges me gently, pulling me from my thoughts. “Don’t stress about it too much. Everything will get sorted.”
I try to smile but I’m sure it looks as forced as it feels. “Yeah, you’re right.”
We turn toward June again, who’s clinking a spoon on her flute. “Hey, do any of you want to toast Ariel?”
Emily walks toward her. “I’d like to say something.”
“Great!” June waves her hands dramatically. “The floor is yours.”
Emily raises her glass and looks adoringly at Ariel. “Ariel, love, you were the first friend I made here on the island, and I feel like you’re my little sister. My little sister, I suppose, who was raised in Alabama instead of London.”
I laugh. Emily has a way of making things better.
“Anyhow,” Emily continues, “I wish you and Alex a lifetime of happiness and joy.”
I sniffle. I can’t help getting a little teary eyed. I’m truly happy for Ariel.
And completely devastated for myself.
But that goes on the back burner as of now.
Or maybe not…
Because just then I hear that ridiculous laugh of Jazz’s. And true to Emily’s hyperbole, she sounds exactly like a freight train in stilettos.
I turn, and there she is, naked as the day she was born, and in the arms of…
Oh my God.
In the arms of Brett.
I gulp.
“What is it?” Misty asks.
I paste my smile back on. “Nothing. Not a damned thing.”
Misty opens her mouth to say something, but June interrupts, keeping the others from focusing on Jazz and Brett.
Good.
“Okay, ladies!” June says jubilantly. “Now that we’vefeasted and drunk—and we’ve toasted our lady of honor—Evangeline, Heather, and I have a big surprise!”
“What?” Ariel asks.
“We’re heading back to the courtyard where we’ll join the men for a full moon ceremony!”
