Ansley huffed as she threw her belongings into her suitcase. Today was officially ruined. She wouldn’t have any time to go blow off steam at the ice-skating rink now. Instead, she’d be moving to the other hotel room and getting settled with Kate.
She loved her friend dearly, but lately, her happiness had been just a little much. It was like eating too much cake. It was sickly sweet, and Ansley needed a little break from it.
A sigh burst from her lips, and she flipped over the top of the suitcase. Her fingers trailed along the edges until they found the zipper. She dragged the little metal tab around until it was secured then pulled her suitcase off the bed.
The door opened just as she lifted the handle and strode toward it. Ansley skidded to a stop and glowered at the intruder who had ripped her room out from under her. This was supposed to be her safe haven for the week. He blocked the exit, a stupid grin on his face.
He leaned to the side, his focus sweeping through the room.
“I didn’t steal any of your things if that’s what you’re checking for.”
His steely gaze swung back to meet hers. “I wasn’t thinking that at all.”
Ansley huffed. “I’d like to leave now if that’s okay with you.”
He stepped to the side, his arms folded across his chest. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ansley.”
She froze, turning slowly. “How do you know my name?”
He chuckled. It was a deep, throaty kind of sound that slipped along her nerves and settled in her chest. “Kate said it while we were in the lobby.”
“Oh. Right.” She cleared her throat. “Well, I can’t say the same.”
He arched a brow. “You’re not going to ask me my name?”
Ansley lifted her chin. “I don’t see the purpose of that.”
“Why not?”
His wry smile both infuriated her and made her want to stay. “Because you’re obviously attending the wedding,” she retorted, “and seeing as you’re here this early, I assume you’re also part of the wedding party.” Which meant they would more than likely be spending more time together than she wanted. “You’ll forgive me if I choose to delay the inevitable.” She strode out into the hall and didn’t look back.
“It’s Zane, by the way,” he called as the door shut behind her.
It took everything in her not to roll her eyes. Kate’s room was just down the hall from hers, and it only took a few seconds to reach it. She raised her hand to knock, but the door opened, revealing Kate’s nineteen-year-old brother. He flashed her a smile and headed down the hall.
Ansley’s hand shot up to block the door from swinging shut all the way. She ducked inside then released her suitcase with a flourish.
Kate sat on the edge of her bed, legs folded beneath her. She offered Ansley an apologetic smile. “I wish there was a way you could have had your own room.”
Waving her hand, Ansley wandered farther into the room. “What kind of friend would I be if I couldn’t roll with the punches? It’s just for a week. It will be fine.” She plopped onto the bed beside her friend and pulled her legs up to her chest then rested her chin on her knees. “You just have to promise me you won’t leave your stuff lying around.”
Kate snickered. “Deal.” She wagged her brows. “So, what did you think of Zane?”
This time, Ansley did roll her eyes. “He’s too confident for his own good. And he’s a huge flirt. How does Liam know him, anyway?”
Her friend shifted on the bed and lay back, focusing on the ceiling. “Zane is Liam’s cousin.” Her hands went behind her head, digging into her brown hair. “He’s not so bad once you get to know him. And he’s seriously cute, don’t you think?”
Ansley groaned as she crawled over to Kate and plopped down beside her. Their heads were together as they both looked at the faint patterns on the ceiling. “I saw him in just his towel.”
Kate gasped and sat upright. She gave Ansley a wide-eyed stare, her mouth hanging open. “What?”
Ansley grimaced, a little laugh escaping her throat. “It was purely by accident. I went up to my room to get my coat so I could go ice-skating, and he was in the shower. When he came out…” She shrugged, her eyes flitting over to meet Kate’s. “It was embarrassing if anything.” Her cheeks warmed. “Not for me,” she insisted. “But I think Zane wasn’t thrilled about being caught like that.”
Kate tilted her head slightly. A hint of a smile touched her lips, but she didn’t say anything.
“What?” Ansley laughed.
“Nothing.”
Ansley sat up and shook her head. “No, that’s not nothing. What were you thinking just now?”
Kate lifted a shoulder. “I’m glad you came.”
Ansley bumped her shoulder. “You’re my best friend. Of course I came.” Her features brightened. “Okay, so since we’re sharing a room, we can get down to business.”
Her friend let out an exaggerated groan. “Ansley—”
She wagged a finger then scooted to the edge of the bed and hopped off. “I know we have a rehearsal dinner tonight, but we should probably go over the schedule. I need to make sure everyone knows where the activities are.”
Kate’s eyes followed Ansley as she grabbed her clipboard and returned to the bed.
“Since most of the guests won’t arrive until this weekend, it will be easy to keep things straight until then. There’s a snowmobile tour tomorrow evening, ice-skating the following day, and the official dinner later this week. I have the bachelorette party planned for—”
A gentle hand landed on Ansley’s knee. “It’s going to be great. Breathe.”
“No, it’s going to be perfect.”
“Sweetie, I’m not some bridezilla. Don’t stress about it too much.”
Ansley turned a surprised look on Kate. “You didn’t pick me to be your maid of honor to not stress about it. You picked me because—”
“You’re my best friend.”
Swallowing, Ansley looked down at the itinerary she’d typed up before flying out to Sweet Paradise Resort. Kate might think she didn’t want perfection, but what she didn’t realize was that her wedding day was a once-in-a-lifetime event. It would be the foundation of the relationship she and Liam would share. A perfect wedding day meant a perfect future together. And it was up to Ansley to make sure that happened.
Ansley lifted a smile to her friend. “Of course, Kate.” She stood again and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?”
Ansley froze, only two steps from the door. She forced a smile as she turned and faced Kate. “Just going to check on the reception hall for tonight’s dinner.” She made it through the door just as Kate’s voice followed her out.
“I mean it, Ansley. Everything will be fine.”