Chapter 36

ONE WEEK UNTIL “I DO”

It was Saturday morning and I was on the phone with my father discussing last-minute travel arrangements for the wedding, now only a week away. I was still under the influence of gratitude for his wellbeing, but after confirming the change in his medication had done the trick with respect to his memory, my dad insisted we lay the topic to rest permanently. I was happy to oblige.

“Now enjoy your bachelorette party. Please be safe.”

I could picture my dad cringing as he said this, his face flushed at the thought of his daughter dancing seductively on a bar somewhere. “Last I heard, massages were a relatively low-risk activity,” I said to put him out of his misery. I glanced at my watch. Caroline was on her way downtown after picking up Bridget, and said she’d text when she was five minutes away. The three of us were heading out to the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, New Jersey for the night. We were scheduled for spa treatments later that afternoon and had dinner reservations at a restaurant in the hotel. The original plan was to stay local, but the resort was running an off-season special, and we thought the trip would be a nice escape from the city and a relaxing girls’ weekend. I couldn’t wait.

When my phone pinged with the arrival of Caroline’s text, I told my father I loved him and was excited to see them on Thursday when they arrived from Florida. Then I ended the call, kissed Nicholas goodbye, and rode the elevator down to the lobby.

I walked out the door at the exact moment Caroline’s black BMW pulled up. Bridget rolled down the window and offered to sit in the back since I was the guest of honor, but I motioned for her to stay where she was. She was pregnant and wouldn’t be able to partake in any of the yummy cocktails before, during, and after dinner at the Seaview Restaurant located inside the resort. I also feared we’d be stuck in traffic and she’d pee in her pants. Despite all the reasons she could have insisted we stay in the city, where there were many hassle-free places to get a pre-natal massage, she put me first. The least I could do was let her sit in the front. I placed my overnight bag in the trunk, stepped into the backseat, and we were off.

Two and a half hours later, after checking into the hotel, we dropped our bags off in the deluxe room we were sharing and headed to the spa. I was eager to get lost in my warm stone massage and Bridget felt the same about her pregnancy massage. Caroline was getting the Ocean Place Fire and Ice facial. It sounded heavenly, but I was too afraid to mess with my face a week before my wedding. The last time I had a facial, before I could enjoy the post-treatment healthy glow, I had to wait out the three pimples that escaped when my pores were opened.

“I wonder if Nicholas left for his bachelor party yet,” I said to the girls as we walked to the elevator on our floor. The guys were starting out with drinks at a closed-off rooftop bar before having dinner at a steakhouse and then “playing it by ear,” which I assumed meant going to a strip club. I didn’t ask. I didn’t care—much.

“Jonathan better behave,” Bridget said. Her worried expression betrayed the light tone of her voice.

“Of course he will.” I hadn’t seen evidence Jonathan was only going through the motions of pretending to be excited about his impending fatherhood. I’d witnessed no proof of the opposite either, but I wasn’t at all concerned he’d misbehave at the bachelor party. I couldn’t even picture him getting a lap dance.

Before Bridget could argue or request further reassurance, loud voices came through the thin walls of a hotel room. A woman’s voice said, “Why do you care so much what treatment I get anyway? You’re so bossy!”

Another voice said, “The Swedish massage is so boring. If you’re going to spend money, at least choose something your partner can’t easily do for free is all I’m saying. But do what you want.”

“I will!”

The elevator door opened, preventing us from hearing what was said next. We stepped inside and Caroline rolled her eyes. “What a dumb thing to fight about.”

“Seriously,” Bridget agreed with a chuckle.

I laughed too, ignoring the uncomfortable knot in my belly.

A few minutes later, a member of the spa staff gave us a tour of the facilities and provided us with robes and slippers. The three of us commented on how much more attractive we looked in them compared to the bright pink and orange striped “uniforms” we were forced to wear at the Palace Spa.

We sat on comfy leather recliners in the mostly white oceanfront relaxation room and waited to be called for our treatments. Caroline closed her eyes, already a picture of requiescence, which I hoped Bridget wouldn’t destroy with her loud chomping on a Granny Smith apple she’d plucked from the bowl of fresh fruit. I debated flipping through an issue of Brides Magazine. The cover promised two hundred and fifty fresh wedding ideas. With my nuptials only seven days away, it was probably a mistake to read about all the great things I wasn’t doing. I decided Caroline had it right. I rested my head against the chair and closed my eyes.

From somewhere behind me, a girl said, “There they are.” My eyes longed to stay closed, at least until my therapist came to pick me up for my massage, but the voice was familiar. Still, I remained unmoving on the assumption she wasn’t referring to my party of three. It wasn’t like we were the only people in the waiting room.

“She’s going to be shocked when she sees me.”

My heart skipped a beat and my eyes flickered open. “Erin?” I sat up and turned around. Next to the woman who’d handed me my robe a mere five minutes earlier stood my little sister, her curly milk-chocolate-colored hair a stark contrast to the crisp white of her robe.

“Enjoy, ladies,” the woman said before excusing herself.

Erin smiled wide. “Surprise!”

“H-hi!” I exclaimed, darting a glance at Caroline, who was now sitting up and facing my sister. Bridget had frozen with her apple poised at the opening of her mouth. It was obvious Erin’s appearance was as much news to them as it was to me. I stood up and gave my sister a hug. “I had no idea you’d be here.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about it either, which made me the worst sibling ever.

“I told Mom how guilty I felt not being part of your bachelorette party. I’m your only sister after all. When she told me what you had planned for this weekend, I decided to take the train and surprise you.” She wrapped the tie of her robe tighter around her waist.

“You certainly succeeded. Are you staying overnight? Did you get a room?” The thought of four of us crowded into a single space was suffocating, but we’d make it work. I could sleep anywhere for one night. As long as Bridget got a bed.

Erin smiled slickly. “I did. And the best part? With two rooms, you don’t have to squeeze three of you into one. You can stay with me!” she yelped, clearly under the assumption I’d be thrilled.

My eyes opened wide and my lips parted, but no sound came out. If I told my sister how excited I’d been to have an overnight with my two best friends, even if one of them was likely to fall asleep by ten o’clock, she’d be crushed. I was touched Erin made the effort to travel all the way from Boston, and it would be fun to bond with her. The four of us could all hang out together until right before we went to bed anyway. “Thank you, Erin. Sounds fantastic.” I hugged her and, over her shoulder, winked at Bridget and Caroline with a silent, “It’s all good.”

The four of us agreed to meet at the heated soaking bath after our treatments and so, eighty minutes later, feeling more serene than a bride-to-be probably should, I changed into my bathing suit and headed over there.

When I arrived at my destination, looked into the tub, and saw the blonde and brunette duo leaning against the side with their eyes closed, I knew it had been too good to be true. They hadn’t heard me coming and I bet if I was careful, I could back up before they realized I was—

“Oh my God, that was ah-mazing.”

At the sound of Bridget’s voice behind me, I jolted and lost my footing on the wet floor. I reached for Bridget’s arm to keep me up, remembering just in time if I took her down with me, I could hurt the baby. I dropped my hand. In a single second, an hour’s worth of thoughts ran through my head. I could not—would not—break or even sprain a bone a week before my wedding. I had an aisle to walk down. Even though no one would see the designer shoes I’d bought—inspired by my “naked” nightmare—under my dress, it was enough for me to know they were fabulous. None of the lawyers in my circle were personal injury attorneys, and we had too much going on to bring a lawsuit against the resort anyway. But as the linoleum floor loomed closer, I braced myself for the worst.

Just as I resigned myself to fall, a hand wrapped around my waist to steady me. “Easy there, bride,” Caroline said with a chuckle.

I blew out a breath of relief. “You’re my angel, Caroline.” It was true, she had potentially saved me from broken, sprained, or bruised bones as well as potential litigation. Unfortunately, even she couldn’t save me from my future sister-in-law and her girlfriend, who were apparently on the same wavelength as my sister in their decision to crash my bachelorette party. Both girls had opened their eyes by now and were waving us over.

Approaching the bath, I said, “Fancy seeing you guys here!” My voice suggested I was surprised even though I’d half-expected to see them since the fight we’d overheard in the hallway earlier.

Natalie lifted her arms out of the water and back down with a loud splash. “When Nicholas told us where you were going, we immediately called and reserved a room since I’m not on call until Monday.”

Silently cursing Nicholas, I stepped into the bath and sunk to my knees, letting the hot water cover me up to my shoulders.

“I need pampering in a big way.” Natalie dunked under the water and lifted her head back out. “Seriously, don’t let shows like Grey’s Anatomy fool you. Being an intern is the opposite of glamorous. I’m doing my rotation through colorectal surgery and spent all last week doing pre-op and post-op management for inflammatory bowel disease.” She pulled a face.

Tiffany giggled. “TMI.” She shook her head at me. “Sometimes the medical jargon is a turn-on. Other times, like now…” She wrinkled her nose. “Not so much.”

Natalie kissed the top of Tiffany’s wet head. “Wait until I get to the transplant rotation. Très sexy.”

I observed the two of them in awe. Where were the public displays of affection when Natalie first brought Tiffany around? The energy I expended irritated by Tiffany’s constant presence could have been better spent on other activities, like planning my wedding and finishing my book. Remembering both those tasks were now under control, I let myself enjoy the hot jets of water pounding against my back.

“We couldn’t get treatments until tomorrow, but at least we’re allowed to use the sauna and steam room the duration of our stay,” Tiffany said.

“Let me guess, you booked the Swedish massage and Natalie chose something more unconventional,” I said.

Tiffany’s eyes opened wide. “Exactly. Natalie booked some lavender hydrating thing,” she said with a smirk.

“It’s called a Hydrating Lavender and Honey Body Wrap and it’s the ultimate nourishing experience and something you can’t get at any old spa,” Natalie said assuredly.

I slid my body to the right to make room for Caroline next to me while Bridget sat on the edge with her feet in the water. I closed my eyes and held tightly to the serenity, even though my intimate girls’ weekend was morphing into something entirely different than planned.

“We also changed your dinner reservation from three people to five,” Natalie said.

“I guess I’ll just order room service, then.”

I opened my eyes—Erin. Crap.

“You’re here too?” Natalie said, not even trying to hide her displeasure.

Joining us in the bath, Erin said, “No. I’m actually a hologram.”

Natalie muttered, “If only.”

Before this escalated into a full-on verbal sparring or, God forbid, something physical, I calmly said, “When we get back to the room, I’ll call the restaurant. If they have a table big enough for five, they can easily fit one more.”

“Depends on how big said person is,” Natalie mumbled.

I whipped my head toward Natalie. “That was uncalled for.” My sister and sister-in-law’s personalities clashed like caffeine and sleep. I didn’t expect them to become bosom buddies, but tossing out insults was unacceptable.

“Par for the course,” Erin said, nonplussed, while Natalie pouted like a petulant child.

“How was the facial, Caroline?” Bridget asked.

“Divine. And the pregnancy massage?”

“Marvelous,” Bridget said. “The perfect antidote to stressful city life.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Bridget and mouthed, “Thank you.”

She winked.

My stomach in knots, I rested my head against the edge of the tub and tried to relax. Bridget and Caroline had come to the rescue with their well-meaning, albeit awkward, change of the subject—this time. Whether they’d be able to keep it up for the next eighteen or so hours, and if Tiffany would help or hinder the peace, was anyone’s guess.

  

I moved my bags into Erin’s room after we left the spa. Even though I’d miss gabbing with Bridget and Caroline while we did our hair and makeup, I couldn’t argue how much more sense it made to share space with one girl instead of two in terms of getting ready for a night out.

It wasn’t all bad. Sharing a bathroom with Erin while she curled her eyelashes on one side and I flat ironed my hair on the other reminded me of when we lived with our parents back in the day. Though I didn’t appreciate Erin’s accusation I’d invited Tiffany and Natalie for the weekend and purposely excluded her, I was fairly certain I’d convinced her I was just as taken aback by their appearance as I was by hers. She made me promise I was happier to see her than I was Natalie. The truth was, I was none too pleased either of them had crashed my weekend, but there was no sense hurting her feelings after the fact.

My voracious appetite and enthusiasm to dig into a delicious meal exceeded my anxiety as to how Erin and Natalie would get along at dinner. I was also comforted knowing alcohol would be in plenty. Drinking always made people more congenial—except when it made them contrary and violent. While the hostess led Erin and me to our table in the expansive Seaview Restaurant located inside the resort, I shuddered at the image of Erin diving over the table to strangle Natalie. I hoped it was more paranoia and less premonition.

The hostess stopped at a rectangular table for six where the other girls were already seated. Tiffany and Bridget sat on either side of Natalie on one end of the table, but the chair across from her was open. Clearly out of her mind, Erin went to sit there, but as if competing in a high-stakes game of Musical Chairs, I stole the seat out from under her. I didn’t want my earlier vision of Erin leaping across the table to become reality. Erin appeared not to notice I’d highjacked her first-choice chair and sat next to me on my right without a fuss.

“You both look so pretty,” Bridget gushed.

“Yes, you look adorable, Kim,” Natalie said.

“Thanks,” I muttered before taking a huge gulp of water. Maybe if I concentrated hard enough, I could turn it into vodka.

Directing her attention to Bridget, who sat farthest away from her on the opposite end of the table, Erin said, “Thank you, Bridget. You’re so cute, you put all other pregnant women to shame.” She leaned forward, and looked over at Caroline, who sat on my other side. “I love your hair, Caroline. You look like a fashion model.” Then she focused on Tiffany, who sat directly across from her. “Your gold dress is stunning.” Turning to me, she said, “And, lastly, the guest of honor. I might be biased because you’re my sister, but I predict you’ll be the most beautiful bride ever. After me, of course.” She chuckled. “Kidding.” She regarded Natalie with a cold stare.

Caroline cleared her throat. “How about we start off with a cocktail and move on to prosecco?”

“Great idea,” I said, practically giving myself whiplash in my frantic search of the restaurant for our waitress.

“This fried calamari is yummy,” Tiffany said about twenty-five minutes later.

“Agreed. I try to watch my intake of fried foods for health reasons, but sometimes you just have to be bad,” Erin said. She spooned more onto my plate. “Take the rest, Kim.”

“If you insist,” I said, happily ensconced in my early buzz. Nothing defamatory had been uttered by Natalie or Erin since the precarious start of the night. In fact, when Bridget, who drank seltzer and pineapple juice because she said it at least “looked like an alcoholic beverage,” made the toast, everyone clinked glasses, including Natalie and Erin. I was finally able to relax and enjoy myself without waiting for the fragile glass to break.

“It’s also really fattening,” Natalie said. “But you can afford it, Kim.”

A piece of squid lodged in my throat and I made a conscious effort to swallow it down. It was possible it wasn’t meant to be a jab at Erin. Maybe it was an innocent statement.

“Have you heard from Nicholas tonight?” Tiffany asked.

I glanced down at my phone in my purse—no new texts. “Nope. I don’t expect to. Let him enjoy himself without the old ball and chain dragging him down.” I smiled to myself as I pictured Nicholas’s posse taking over a bar, doing shots, and being otherwise rowdy. And then the bitterness crept in. I bet Nathan and Jonathan weren’t hurling passive-aggressive insults at each other while Nicholas tried to maintain the peace by subtly changing the subject. It wasn’t fair. If Nicholas hadn’t opened his pie hole and told Natalie where I was going this weekend, I’d be enjoying a quiet bachelorette party for three, as planned.

I removed my phone from my bag and sent him a text. I hope you’re having a great time. That would make one of us. The regret inched its way into my gut immediately. It wasn’t all Nicholas’s fault. My mother was equally guilty for spilling the location of the party to Erin. Besides, this was my bachelorette party—hopefully the only one I’d ever have. I had to make the best of it, which included not holding a grudge against Nicholas and putting a downer on his night in the process. I sent him another text. Ignore my earlier text. Love you! XO. I fought the stubborn irritation lingering beneath my optimistic surface as I returned my attention to my companions.

“Wait until you see the centerpieces we designed, K,” Bridget said.

“You haven’t seen them yet?” Natalie asked, her brown eyes wide as saucers.

I shook my head. “I’ll see them at the reception with everyone else.”

“Do you at least have a general idea what they look like?” Erin asked.

“I gave Bridget and Caroline carte blanche to do what they wanted.” After abandoning the girls in favor of fretting over Felicia’s phone call, I wasn’t about to complain about their selections. I figured it was safer not to see them at all until the deed was done. By then, I’d be too ecstatic about my new last name to cry about the lack of flowers at my wedding.

Erin’s jaw dropped. “Wow. I’d never be able to relinquish control of something so important.”

“We agree on one thing,” Natalie said.

I jerked my head back. Was it possible I was witnessing a bonding moment between the Red and White Queens?

Natalie continued, “And I’m usually very chill and laid back.”

Erin pressed her lips together. “Are you suggesting I’m uptight and rigid, Natalie?”

Natalie groaned. “It’s not always about you, Erin.”

Bridget clapped her hands together. “Dinner is here. Hooray.”

Aside from the sounds of utensils clanging against dishes, we ate our dinners in silence. My salmon steak was perfectly prepared and lovely, but my taste buds experienced no joy. My spirits brightened when the waitress brought over a bottle of prosecco. I needed more booze to get through this night.

Caroline clinked her knife against her glass. “We have a surprise for you, Kim.”

My heart raced. Had they secretly asked someone else to join us? Please God, not Hannah. I didn’t think this night could get any worse, but Erin practically danced on the ceiling when I told her Hannah was invited to the wedding. I wouldn’t put it past her to text Hannah a last-minute invite tonight. I faked a smile with cautious hope. “Have at me.”

While the girls regarded me with goofy grins, Caroline reached under the table for the plastic bag resting at her feet. She removed a silver tiara and white sash with the words “Bride to Be” in hot pink. Placing the tiara on my head, she said, “It’s not a real bachelorette party without props.”

The girls broke into rambunctious applause. “Put on the sash, Kim,” they demanded in harmony.

I did as told, my cheeks burning in embarrassment at the spectacle we were making. But the mortification quickly turned into excitement as it hit me I was getting married. This was my bachelorette party—my night—and they were all there to honor me. So what if Natalie and Erin didn’t get along? They weren’t the bride-to-be. I was, and I’d be damned if I let them ruin my last night out as a single chick. Suddenly, I was in the mood to party. Had the circumstances been different and Bridget not with child, I’d have suggested going out. It was a college town, after all, and harmless flirting with young boys could be amusing. But all that really mattered was having fun with the girls I loved, even if they didn’t all love each other.

When we entered the Seaview Lounge for after-dinner drinks, Natalie stopped in her tracks. “It’s dead in here.”

It was true; the place was virtually empty aside from a trio of middle-aged couples at a booth and two guys at the long bar. I pointed to the terrace. “Check out the ocean view, guys.”

“Phenomenal,” Caroline said. “Can we sit outside?”

“Let’s find out.” I walked over to the bartender to ask him.

Natalie tapped her finger against her chin. “Don’t you want to go somewhere with more people, Kim? You’re a bachelorette! You should be wearing a candy necklace and drinking from penis straws.”

“I agree. This is lame,” Tiffany said. “Who cares if we can see the ocean? I bet the view is more scenic where Nicholas is, if you know what I mean. Why should he have all the fun?”

Why indeed. I checked my phone for the first time since texting Nicholas earlier. He’d written me back—several times.

At 8:36, he wrote: Why aren’t you having fun, Kimmie?

At 9:07: Remind me to keep Neil away from gin at the wedding. He’s plastered already.

9:40: Jonathan thinks they’re having a girl!

I tapped Bridget on the back. “Your man and I are on the same page.”

“Regarding?”

I showed her the text.

She crinkled her brow. “It’s just conjecture. I swear we didn’t find out. But ask Nicholas how Jonathan sounded when he said it. Was he excited? Miserable? Indifferent?”

I did what she asked and returned the phone to my purse. “Can we sit on the terrace?” I asked the bartender, a young guy with a premature receding hairline but cute dimples.

He grinned, the crevices in his cheeks deepening. “Sure thing. And shots on the house because you’re a bachelorette. What would you like?”

I considered the question. The wise answer was “nothing,” but it was my bachelorette party and it was practically against the law to refuse free drinks from a bartender. “How about something pink?”

Nodding, he said, “You’ve got it. Make yourself comfortable outside and I’ll bring them to you.” He handed me a cocktail menu. “For after.”

I took the menu and motioned for the girls to follow me outside. It was a perfect night in early November—comfortable enough to sit outside with a light jacket—and I hoped the weather would be as agreeable the following Saturday. The ceremony was being held outside on the terrace. I thought about where I’d be this time next week and my pulse raced in excitement. I’d be married and dancing the night away. I was super excited about the song I was dedicating to Nicholas and couldn’t wait to find out what song he chose for me.

The bartender brought out a tray of shots—five Pink Starbursts and one virgin pink lemonade—and we tossed them back in unison. “What should we drink now?” I asked.

Natalie yawned from her chair. “It doesn’t matter to me, but can we do it somewhere else? This place blows.”

I glanced at the other girls. “Do you guys agree?”

Tiffany nodded, but her opinion mattered least.

“Sort of,” Erin responded.

“I’m happy anywhere,” Caroline said.

“It’s your night,” Bridget said.

I pondered for a moment. “I suppose we can find a bar off the premises. But we have to order at least one round of drinks here.” Leaving without spending any money, especially after a free round of shots, was rude.

We made our drink choices and Erin and Caroline went inside to order them. When they returned, Natalie said, “Let’s chug.”

I took a sip of my mango martini and smacked my lips together. It was too delicious to ingest in one gulp. I was also pretty drunk already. If I had any chance of keeping up with Natalie and Tiffany, who were clearly more seasoned drinkers, I had to pace myself.

Reading my mind like only she could, Bridget gave me a slight smile. “Take your time,” she whispered.

I moved my chair closer to hers. “Are you sure you’re up for going out?”

She nodded. “I refuse to be a buzzkill at my BFFAEUDDUP’s bachelorette party. If I get too tired, I’ll cab it back to the hotel. No worries. If we can avoid somewhere too loud and clubby, I’d appreciate it though.”

I lightly tapped my drink against her glass of water. “Done.”

Erin looked up from her phone. “How about The Wine Loft? They have generous pours, according to Yelp, and a nice décor.”

“And probably all women. B.O.R.I.N.G,” Natalie said.

I thought this was a funny statement coming from a woman who was currently dating another woman, but kept my amusement to myself.

Gesturing to Tiffany, she said, “We were thinking Avenue Le Club.”

“No clubs,” I said with a reassuring glance at Bridget.

“Why don’t we pay the tab and walk around Pier Village? There has to be a place we can agree on,” Erin said, although it was obvious even she didn’t believe her own statement.

“I’m fine with closing out our tab here, but I’m not making Bridget walk around aimlessly,” I said.

“Thank you,” Bridget whispered from next to me.

Caroline went to pay the tab. She insisted she’d get money from the girls later, but I was positive she was full of crap. I gave her a stern look, but didn’t argue since she was one of the two people in attendance I wasn’t five seconds away from punching in the face.

We gathered at the exit to the hotel, all of us reviewing Yelp from our individual phones.

“How about Jack’s Goal Line Stand? They have an expansive beer list,” Natalie said.

At the same time, Erin and I said, “I don’t like beer.” We shared a rare smile between sisters.

Tiffany sighed. “They have other drinks too.” She flipped her long hair. “And plenty of co-eds to flirt with, Kim.” She placed her hands on her hips. “C’mon. Nicholas is most definitely at a strip club. Surely you’re entitled to flirt with some college boys. Or girls.” She waggled her eyebrows. “The first time I kissed Natalie was at a college bar. Remember, Nat?”

Natalie’s cheeks flushed.

“She’s so bashful,” Tiffany teased. “We were flirting with some young boys at Down the Hatch. They dared us to make out and Natalie, who had never kissed a girl, was drunk enough on tequila shots to do it. The rest is history.” She winked. “I’m a great kisser. Ask Nicholas.”

“Stop it.” Natalie elbowed Tiffany before changing the subject. “We should hurry. Most places close at one and it’s almost midnight already.”

Before I could ponder how time flew so quickly when I was barely having any fun, my phone pinged—Nicholas. Assuming, he’d answered my earlier text about Jonathan, I said to Bridget, “Nicholas wrote back.”

“What did he say?” Bridget asked.

There were a few of them:

10:06: I miss your body. I wish you were waiting for me in bed. Neked.

I giggled.

10:37: Shots. So many shots. Rescue me?

10:54: I want Kimmie Long in my pants. Where are you, Kimmie Long?

My heart swelled. I wish I was with you, baby. More than you know.

11:27: I viewed the text and froze.

“What is it?” Bridget said.

“It’s a…picture.” I handed her my device, my pulse racing.

Her eyes bugged out. “Oh, dear.”

“What’s so interesting over there?” Erin asked, reaching for my phone. She studied the picture with a furrowed brow. “What is that? A tree?” She handed it to Tiffany.

Tiffany glanced at the phone and yelped. “It’s someone’s hoohah!” She tossed my phone to Natalie. “Check it out.”

Natalie’s mouth fell open. “Where did you get this?”

I bit my lip. Why would Nicholas text me a picture of someone’s…hoohah? Why was he close enough to one to take a picture in the first place?” It had to be a mistake. My stomach cramped and my dinner threatened to reject the digestion process.

Caroline scrutinized the text and shook her head. “I’m sure it’s not what it looks like.” She blushed. “Well, I’m sure it’s exactly what it appears to be, but there’s no way Nicholas took this picture and sent it to you.” She continued to scroll. “There are more messages.”

The six of us drew closer and read them together.

11:31: Check out the magic carpet. Should I take a ride?

11:46: Just got lost in the trouble triangle. What about you? Having fun yet?

Tiffany howled. “This is priceless.”

Natalie put her hand against Tiffany’s open mouth. “I agree with Caroline. My brother is as annoying as ants in your pants, but he’s a stand-up guy. These texts didn’t come from him.”

Bridget said, “It must be a misunderstanding, K. Call him.” The others vocalized their agreement.

I stepped to the side and took a deep breath. Nicholas loved me. He didn’t want anyone but me. I knew this like I knew my own name, but I was scared. Aside from proving our disastrous organization skills while planning the wedding, things between us had been almost too perfect since our engagement. Maybe Nicholas got cold feet and was sabotaging our marriage before it even happened. There was only one way to find out. I pressed the call button.

The phone rang once, then twice, then a third time. My scalp hurt from pulling on my hair. Finally, someone picked up.

I heard music and muffled voices in the background. “Nicholas?” I said, breathless.

He didn’t answer me—just a backdrop of more undiscernible noise. “Nicholas? Hello?” I removed the phone from my ear and stared at it. “Answer me, god dammit!” I expelled a loud groan and ended the call. I buried my face in my hands and when I looked up, the girls were observing me with unease. “He didn’t say anything. It was just…static.” My legs wobbled.

There was a moment of silence and then Natalie clucked her tongue. “I say you forget about this for now. His phone was probably stolen,” she said.

“Or maybe one of his friends decided to play a trick on him.” Tiffany pointed at Bridget. “Maybe it was your man, Birdie.”

Bridget’s cheeks burned the color of her hair and I thought blood might burst from her eyeballs.

Caroline squeezed Bridget’s shoulder. “It wasn’t Jonathan!” In a softer tone, she said, “But I agree it wasn’t Nicholas.”

“It wasn’t Jonathan, but he’ll know where Nicholas is. I’ll call him.” Her phone already to her ear, Bridget took a few steps to the side and turned her back on us. A drawn-out minute later, she returned. “He’s on his way home already and has no idea where Nicholas is.” She chewed on her lip. “Sorry, K.”

“I say we forget about this and go out. Avenue Le Club is only a few minutes away. You can dance the stress away,” Natalie said.

“She already said she doesn’t want to go to a club,” Erin said. “I think the wine place would be perfect.”

“Perfect for a retirement party, maybe,” Tiffany muttered.

“Stop it,” I whispered. Please make it stop.

“What do you want to do, Kim?” Caroline asked.

“I want to talk to Nicholas,” I said, blinking back the volcano of tears threatening to erupt from behind my eyes.

Tiffany tapped her gold strappy stilettos against the marble floor of the lobby. “Well, it doesn’t seem like he’s answering. The best revenge is to go out and have fun.” She gestured to the exit.

“Yeah, Kim. Don’t let this ruin your fun,” Natalie said.

My pulse sped up and my body flushed with heat. These girls had no clue. On the outside, I’d been playing the role of sweet, agreeable Kim for months, pretending the tension and unsolicited advice didn’t bother me because I didn’t want to make waves, hurt anyone’s feelings, or seem ungrateful for their help. All the while, I was exploding on the inside. I was positive Hannah Marshak would never have let this happen and from this moment on, neither would I.

I glared at Natalie, Tiffany, and Erin. “Fun? Would you describe this night as fun? Let me be the first to inform you no part of tonight has been fun. The three of you crashing my bachelorette party uninvited—not fun. Bearing witness to Natalie insulting my sister repeatedly—not fun. The constant need to reassure my sister I love her more than my sister-in-law—not fun. Listening to you argue about where we should go without even asking what I wanted—not fun.”

The girls stared at me incredulously with their mouths open. Erin took a step back and Natalie’s face was white.

I was reaching the point of no return, but I couldn’t stop. “I purposely didn’t invite you because I knew you’d act this way. I don’t know why you hate each other so much, but it’s not as much as I hate both of you right now. The fun part of this day ended the minute you all got here.” My stomach lurched. I needed a bathroom—fast.

I ran to the ladies’ room, into a stall, and immediately lost my entire dinner, two cocktails, a Pink Starburst shot, and two glasses of prosecco in one fell swoop. While washing my hands after, I checked out my reflection in the mirror. My hair, previously straightened with a flip at the end, was slick with sweat and stuck to my head. There was no color in my cheeks, unless you counted pukey green. I splashed water on my face and when I looked up, Bridget and Caroline’s worried reflections joined mine in the mirror.

Bridget frowned at me. “Are you okay?”

Physically, my stomach was no longer in rebellion. Emotionally, I was drained. “I want to go to bed.” I paused. “In your room.” I couldn’t deal with Erin right now.

“You got it.” Caroline placed an arm around mine.

When we stepped out of the bathroom, I could see the other girls huddled outside the door through my side vision. I couldn’t hear what they were whispering and I didn’t care. I stared directly ahead as Bridget held my hand and led me to the elevator and up to the room. At some point while I was brushing my teeth, I heard Caroline come in with my overnight bag. I changed into my pajamas in silence, slipped under the covers, and passed out.