Chateau Ha’ani.
When Othello and I enter our suite, we are tangled into each other. We make love in the shower and then all over again on the bathroom counter, leaving us dashing out with barely enough time to make the bus. I don’t miss the calculating stare from Carina.
Had this been days ago, I would have assumed it was jealousy. Now, all I can think about is the conversation we had on the yacht.
I love him. I do. But I don’t think I’m ready to marry him.
I snuggle into my man for the week as Carina curls into her fiancé’s side. Our eyes meet for a fleeting moment. How strange this all feels. She and I, wrapped in situations that aren’t entirely real.
35
best man
OTHELLO
The boys are fuming,but what they don’t know is that their night is going to look a lot different than they expected. I was able to pull off a last-minute bachelor party with the help of Jerome. Two strippers by the name of Cashmere and Roxie are waiting back at the Jungle House for the men to arrive.
It’s amazing how easily you can pull things off with just the flip of your wallet. Jerome had money and connections at his beck and call. The man could pick up a phone, make a few calls, and have almost anything arranged before you even had time to question it.
In less than an hour, we will be getting gyrated on while thewomenwine taste at Chateau Ha’ani. Marley is the only one I’ve let in on the plan. I can still hear her laughing when she asked if I had a death wish.
“Carina is going to kill you,” she’d told me when I’d let her in on the secret.
“Probably. But it’s already done. No turning back now.”
It was funny then, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m nervous as hell right now, worried about what Carina’s going to do or say. Hopefully, she won’t cause a scene and mess up the night.
It takes us less than an hour to get to Chateau Ha’ani. The vineyard sits nestled in the quieter hills of Upcountry Maui. The Jungle House is only 30 minutes away, which is exactly why I chose it.
We pull up to a three-story Mediterranean-style estate with cream stucco walls and a terracotta roof. The women are excited, cheering, and ready to get their drink on. They exit the bus first, all of them except Carina, dressed in the color of the week. Lavender.
Vernon and Todd have been mumbling shit under their breath the whole way here, and when they stand to exit the bus, I stand too, blocking their way to get off.
“Fellas, I have something different for us in mind tonight.”
Gavin’s eyes pop open. “Something like what?”
“Don’t worry about all that. You’ll find out when we get there. I turn back to the ladies, who are waiting for us to get off the bus. Carina looks confused, her hand on her hip.
“What are you doing? Come on!”
“Ladies, enjoy your wine and your gossip. We’ll see you later.” I give them a salute.
Marley tries to play it cool, crossing her arms in front of her and looking up at the moon and stars.
Vernon and Todd hug each other and dap each other up. “Ohshit!”
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!”
“Please tell me you got some strippers,” Todd begs.
I answer with a laugh cause these boys are wild.
“Ass and titties in Maui!”
James looks amused and gives me a nod of approval.
“What?” Her tone is disgusted and clipped as she crosses her arms and stomps her foot. Full toddler style. “Gavin Wade. Let’s go. Now.”
