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“Thanks,” I said. “I’m staying with her again tonight. I think I’m in trouble, Natalie.”
Natalie laughed as if this was funny. “Yeah, you are. But it’s the best kind of trouble.”
* * *
I couldn’t tell how long I spent on the dance floor, having the time of my life, but it was a little bit of a relief when it was time to cut the cake. Gray was sweet and didn’t smash the cake in her face, but Linley totally smashed it in his, making everyone laugh.
Gray got her back by kissing her and rubbing his cake-covered face all over hers as she squealed and laughed.
I kept watching Esme, who was barely touching her cake. The moment was getting closer and she had to be freaking out. Paige leaned back in her chair and slipped her shoes off, wincing as she rubbed at her feet. Linley came over to our table and gave us the signal that it was time for the bouquet toss, making sure that Esme saw it.
The DJ announced the toss, and I went up to assemble with anyone unmarried who wanted a chance to catch. Esme had a little bit of a time dragging Paige, but finally got her out in front, even though Paige protested.
“One, two, three!” We all chanted as Linley pretended to take a few practice swings before turning around and setting the bouquet in Paige’s hands.
She looked so confused for a moment and then Esme was on her knee, and Paige was crying and everyone was screaming as Paige said yes, and they embraced.
“That’s beautiful,” a voice said in my ear as Paige and Esme were bombarded by well-wishers. I didn’t need to turn around to see who it was.
“I know,” I said. “Some people might think it was tacky, but it was literally Linley and Esme’s plan together. And Paige was completely surprised.”
I turned to find Alivia looking at me.
“Did you get some cake?” I asked.
“Not yet, but I might have grabbed a few pieces and snuck them upstairs to my room for us to have for later.”
Sexy images of Alivia eating cake off various parts of my body flitted through my mind.
“I like this plan,” I said as the music started up again. The dance floor was significantly emptier now that only the more hardcore dancers were still going.
Personally, I was danced out and ready to get out of my dress and relax.
“Let me just say goodbye to Linley and a few family members and then I’ll be ready to go,” I said to her.
“I’ll wait by the door for you,” she said.
I gave Linley and Gray hugs, congratulated Esme and Paige, and said goodnight to all my other friends and family and gave my grandmother and my aunt a huge hug. It seemed to take forever. I made sure to snag two glasses of champagne on my way to the side door where Alivia was leaning, her jacket slung over her shoulder.
“You look like a rake,” I said.
“A rake?” she asked. “What does that mean?”
I laughed. “Sexy trouble,” I said.
That made her smile as she opened the door for me and we went up to her room.
The first thing I did was take off my shoes. No matter what I’d been wearing on my feet, my toes would still have been sore from all the dancing.
“Ahhh,” I said after I got them off. Alivia took the glasses from me as I flopped on her bed.
“Don’t you want to take your dress off?” she asked.
“Can’t. Too tired,” I said.
“Roll over,” she said with a laugh, and I did. She undid the zipper and helped me push the sleeves down my arms. I flipped back over and she sort of pulled the dress up and off me. It wasn’t easy and I didn’t really help. I’d been hit by the tired bus and I was out of energy.
“Sorry,” I said.
