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“Angel!” Poppy squeals. “You’re going to love my friends. Seriously, they’re so much fun. You don’t mind that I’m stealing your date, do you?” she asks Charlie, already tugging me away.
He grins. “No problem. Dash is probably here by now, so we’ll go explore.”
“I’ll find you before!” I call, already in the hallway.
He waves me off. “Have fun!”
Poppy bustles me into a beautiful bridal suite, which is bubbling over with friends and beauty supplies. On the desk, gorgeous bouquets are lined up in glass vases. The whole room smells like peonies and various beauty products.
“Everyone,” Poppy announces, “This is Grace.”
She introduces me to her other bridesmaids: Natalie, Katie, and April, the florist who is apparently responsible for all the dreamy flowers. They quickly get me set up with the bridesmaid dress, which is a thankfully tasteful lilac silk affair, and get me settled in for hair and makeup.
“So, you and Charlie…” Poppy says, waggling her perfectly arched eyebrows as the stylist brushes out her waves. “You’re looking awfully cozy for fake date plus-ones.”
I blush.
“I knew it!” Poppy laughs. “I had a standing bet with Dylan you two would make this happen for real. The chemistry was undeniable.”
She said it.
“It’s still early,” I say, trying desperately to seem nonchalant.
“Ha!” Poppy isn’t having any of it. “Admit it, you’re crazy about each other.”
Me? Yes. Him? I’m not so sure, but the other girls are already crowding in, demanding details, so I try not to dwell on my insecurities. I explain my terrible streak of luck with dating and work, and how I’d almost forgotten that not everything good has to be a near-impossible challenge.
“I tried to resist at first it with Charlie, but… I don’t know. It was inevitable.”
“That’s how it felt with Justin,” Natalie says. “Like we couldn’t not, even when we both tried to fight it.”
“Exactly.” I say. “Charlie strolled into my life and he just… Fits.”
“Oh, does he?” Poppy smirks, and I toss a sugared almond at her, blushing. “Aww, it’s OK. I’m happy for you,” Poppy says. “And for him.
It’s about time he found something real, instead of that parade of short-term flings.”
I gulp at the reminder. “I’m trying not to have expectations,” I add, as much to myself as to them.
“Just taking things as they come.”
“Ahem,” Katie cracks, and they all burst into laughter again.
“That’s my cue for more champagne!” Poppy declares, only to find the bottle empty.
“I’ll go!” I volunteer, leaping out of my seat.
I head out into the hotel, grabbing some bottles from the kitchen, then taking the long way back to admire the décor and to look for a certain plus-one. I find Charlie hanging out in one of the many rustic, wood paneled lounge rooms. He’s changed into his suit, and has his shirt open at the neck, looking absolutely delicious.
"Well, hello..." he says, greeting me with a grin. "Look at you."
“God bless Poppy for having decent bridesmaid dresses,” I say, doing a spin and offering him a look at the low draped back.
“Shoutout to the sex acrobat bridesmaid and her back injury.” Charlie pulls me closer. “You look beautiful. I’m going enjoy messing up this hair later, though.”
How could anyone resist that? When he draws me in for a kiss, I all but melt against him for a long, seductive moment.
“Having fun?” he murmurs, tracing a slow circle over the bare skin of my back.
