AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sweet, so sweet, hello to my favorite treat,” she sang, recalling the bonbon jingle she’d crafted on one of their strolls years ago. She sighed, prepared to stuff her face with shrimp, when someone tapped her shoulder. She opened her eyes, expecting to see her kind bellhop. Instead, she met the gaze of a slim, older woman holding a tray littered with brightly colored glasses topped with little umbrellas.
“Are you with the bachelorette group, honey?” the woman asked in a New York accent.
A decent number of New Yorkers worked here.
“What?” she asked, taking in the woman clad in black. With a cascade of silver hair, high cheekbones, and a prominent chin, the woman’s face fascinated her.
The lady gestured over her shoulder toward the entrance to a dance club on the far side of the lobby. It was teeming with young women in tutus, laughing, dancing, and licking giant lollipops.
Tutus and lollipops? Kind of strange, but she couldn’t knock the combo.
“The bachelorette group,” the silver-haired woman repeated. “The party is in the Luxe Grandiose dance club.” She pointed to a section of the lobby flashing neon. “And the wedding will take place across the lobby at the chapel.”
“That’s convenient,” Harper mumbled. “I’m sure no terrible choices have been made with a disco across from a place to get hitched.”
The woman chuckled. “I’m one of the hosts at the Luxe Grandiose. My job is to direct you to your intended destination.”
Intended destination?
“Take this,” she said, handing her one of the fancy drinks.
“Why?” Harper asked skeptically.
“Because of your attire, honey.”
This lady thought she was with the bridal party.
Score one for the thrift store tutu.
“Okay,” she answered and accepted the frilly beverage.
“You’ll be drinking for free tonight, of course,” the woman added.
Jackpot!
“Free? Like, I don’t have to pay for anything, free?”
All right, universe, this was an improvement.
The hostess narrowed her gaze. “Yes, as long as you’re with the wedding party. You’re dressed like you’re a part of the group.”
Just go with it.
She plastered a grin to her lips. “I am definitely with the wedding party. I couldn’t be happier for…”
Shit!
“Katrina and Jude,” the hostess supplied, biting back a grin.
“Yep, good old Katrina and Jude,” she replied and downed the fruity concoction before the hostess could yank it away. She might have to sell a kidney, but she was free and clear to put a dent in her liver this evening.
“I can take your bag and check it at the concierge. What’s your name?”
“Harper Presley.” She slid her tote off her shoulder and peered at the feathery mask. “I plan on drinking away my problems and making terrible choices tonight. I’ve had a craptastic day,” she confessed, handing her bag to the hostess.
That was an understatement, but a night posing as part of a bride’s entourage was precisely what she needed.
For one night, she’d go wild and let loose.
