Page 100 of Kiss Slay Replay

In floods the scent of flowers. It’s so strong. Cloying.

I don’t know why the smell has got my hackles up; there’s a window box right outside full of flowers. I press my forehead to the glass and watch them sway in the breeze. There’s something about the way the petals move, like they’re restless. They’re out of sync with the wind. It’s unnatural. Unsettling, watching these flowers. These fidgeting petals.

I know I’m bleary-eyed tired, and extra sensitive because of everything that’s happened, but I’ve dismissed my suspicions in the past and ended up dead.

Though it’s one thing to be suspect of a masked man in the woods and a random unkindness of ravens and a rotten stench and total darkness at three p.m. Seems a little ridiculous to be afraid of flowers. And I know the fear won’t save me anyway, so I shake it out, let it go.

“Drink up, bitch.” Cassie marches back into the room and tosses me a bottle of water, which, somehow, I catch.

3

An hour later, I’m hydrated and made up and ready to go. My hands are still shaking, and I’m fighting for my life not to give in and smoke a cigarette, which might stop my shaking but most definitely stink up my dress. My anxiety hasn’t exactly been quelled, but there are sufficient distractions. The vibes are good. Everyone’s in a great mood.

Today has been the best today yet.

Steph stopped by to visit, and we all fussed over her and danced around the living room. She left floating—the happiest bride.

At some point Luke let slip about Tanya, and I pretended that Ravi had told me in advance and that I was fine with it. Cass was skeptical about the being fine part, which, fair, and questioned why I never brought it up. I said she never brought it up, either, and she backed right off. I changed the subject by asking if she’d known Vicky Moldando was invited, which led to more drinks.

“We all set to go?” Wyatt asks, scratching his neck. Him and that tie. Mortal enemies.

“All set!” Luke says, holding the cabin door open for us. He slaps Cassie’s ass on her way out, and she calls him a pig before making a sexually explicit gesture. Adorable.

“Hold up! I want a picture,” Luke says. We all stop to pose in front of the cabin, and he takes a selfie.

“My phone, too,” Evan says.

I go full goof prima donna, relish this time on the porch with all of us together. Alive and intact, unworried and unserious.

The group starts down the path toward the lake, and I reach for Cassie’s hand. She allows me to take it. I swing our arms like we’re schoolkids.

“We’re gonna get druunkkkkk,” I singsong. “We’re gonna eat fooood.”

She sneaks her vape out of her cleavage and takes a hit. “I love this track.”

“Just wait for the club remix,” I say.

Luke takes a deep breath.

“Do not start beatboxing, so help me God,” Cassie says.

Luke deflates.

“You can beatbox?” Wyatt asks sweetly, with genuine wonder—he’s such a big teddy bear.

The live music sweeps across the lawn. I resist the urge to say something snarky about the husband-and-wife duo. They’re talented. They’re valiantly contributing to the ambiance. As awkward as it is when they make eyes at each other, I think it’d be more awkward without them. Just a chorus of chatter and chewing and clanking glasses.

“It’s so beautiful,” I say, as we approach the cocktail area. Because it is, and it was impossible for me to truly appreciate it until this moment, too preoccupied with nerves, with fear. I’m still nervous, still afraid, but I’m used to it by now, so I’m able to take a minute to swoon over the charmingly mismatched vintage couches and chairs and high cocktail tables topped with mini lanterns and the mobile bar operating out of a restored retro silver Airstream. “Do you think we should hijack the traveling bar?”

“Luke, get the van,” Evan says.

As we approach the floral arches, I’m again struck by the intensity of the smell. It’s like I’m snorting potpourri.

“Okay, Wills,” Cassie says. “You ready?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. These flowers are really…potent. Right? Is it just me?”

“You’ve been back in New Jersey for how long and already—” Evan starts.