AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wow,” I managed, my eyes filling. “It’s even more beautiful that I remember.”
She gave me a pleased smile and said she would have it steamed and ready for me to pick up next week.
As I was walking to my van, I took out my phone and shot off a text to Cade. I knew he said he wouldn’t be checking his phone and would be radio silent until his job was done, but I really needed to contact him. Even if I wouldn’t get a response.
I sat in my driver’s seat and told him about the dress, about Amy May’s pregnancy and morning sickness, and that his mother had been trying to call. I reminded him about his family and friend’s arrival times next week, the last-minute things we have to do, and that the wedding would be here before we know it.
Finally, I ended by telling him how much I missed him, loved him, and couldn’t wait to be his wife.
I was wiping tears off my cheeks when my phone rang in my lap.
I picked it up quickly, thinking maybe Cade had received my text and decided to break the silence, but the screen told me it was Bea calling.
“Hey,” I said in greeting as I answered.
“Everything okay?” she asked, immediately catching on to my tone.
I sighed.
“Yeah, just missing Cade. What’s up?”
“Just wondering if you can talk Eric into watching the kids this weekend. I know he had them last weekend, but . . .”
“I’m sure he won’t mind, and if he and Mary have plans, I can probably work something out with their friends, why? What’s up?” Then I thought back to the group text that no one had ever replied to and asked, “Are we finally having a night out?”
“Well, yeah, the best kind of night out,” she replied vaguely.
“What do you mean the best kind? A night out is always good,” I said, confused. Then I realized what she was talking about and added, “I thought I said no shower, Bea. You know I feel weird since it’s my second wedding and we shouldn’t make a big deal about it. I’m doing the dress and ceremony for Cade, but we don’t need presents or anything like that.”
“Not a shower,” Bea replied. “Better.”
It took me a minute, but in my defense, I was in a bit of a funk, and therefore slow.
“A bachelorette party?” I asked, getting excited.
I didn’t need a silly shower with games and presents, but I was always down for a night of debauchery.
“You got it,” Bea said with a laugh.
“Yes! Don’t worry, I’ll find a place for the kids even if it’s the local animal shelter,” I replied excitedly, then said, “Just kidding,” because, she was a cop after all, and I shouldn’t joke about abandoning my kids.
Still . . . bachelorette party, whoop!
I PULLED MY hair up in a ponytail, the curls spilling out wildly. My face was done up for a night out, which meant I’d filled in my eyebrows, had on a thick application of mascara, and even wore lipstick.
I was in black. Black skinny jeans, with a low-cut black top, and a black sweater, just in case I needed it.
Sure, I knew things wouldn’t get too crazy, we were in Greenswood, after all . . . not a strip club in sight, at least, not a male strip club. Still, it was a night out with the girls celebrating my last few days as an unmarried woman.
With Cade out of town and my kids with their dad, I was ready to turn things up and get a little nuts.
Bea had picked me up, claiming her role as DD for the night, so I was free to drink until I puked,
if I so desired. Not that I really wanted to puke, but, after the last few weeks, I was definitely ready to let loose and imbibe.
“Yay, Tapas,” I’d cried when Bea pulled into my favorite Tapas bar in The Heights.
We went in and back to their private room, where Amy May, Carmen, Cynthia, Clarice, and Shannon were all waiting.
