The day passes quickly, before I know it, Hamilton drops me off at Adrian’s house for Salem’s bachelorette party. Tonight’s festivities will be the exact opposite of the crazy event I planned for Adrian’s bachelorette party.
“Uh-huh,” Adrian shakes her head, placing a hand on Hamilton’s chest. “This is a bachelorette party; no guys allowed. You just hop back in your truck and drive your butt over to Troy’s.”
Hamilton grabs my elbow preventing me from entering the house. “Call me when you are ready for a ride home. I’ll be here in five minutes,” he whispers in my ear before he places a soft kiss at the corner of my lips then returns to his truck.
I stand on Adrian’s porch waving as he backs from the driveway. His husky whisper ignited tiny fires throughout my body. My lips burn where his perfectly plump hot lips left his kiss. Adrian is mumbling something from the doorway behind me. I can’t quite make out her words, but it sounds like such a cute couple. When I can no longer watch Hamilton, I’m ready to focus on the girls and start our party.
“You’re the first to arrive,” Adrian states with a giant smile on her face. As she hangs my coat in the entryway closet, she states drinks and snacks are in the kitchen. “So, Hamilton and you are staying with Memphis this weekend, how cozy.” She waggles her eyebrows up and down.
“Stop it,” I warn. “It’s not like that and you know it. Nothing has changed. I’m just as confused now as I was months ago. I’m going along with the feelings he demonstrates. Seems we are very friendly friends.”
Adrian cocks a brow. “How do you feel about that?”
“Confused,” I answer honestly with a groan. “I’m confused. We’ve been close since eighth grade. He’s still my best friend, and I am still his number one fan. I live each day anxiously awaiting a text or phone call from him. It feels good seeing him again today. Everything is smooth like it was in high school except for a kiss to my lips or cheeks from time to time. The kisses seem friendly, I assume that’s what we are, just friends.” I shrug and snag a diet cola from the fridge.
Bethany and Salem barge through the unlocked front door without knocking, announcing Savannah just pulled into the driveway. With the gang all here, it’s time to start the party. Once we all gather around the kitchen island, Bethany shares the party plans.
“Ladies,” Bethany raises her voice to get everyone’s attention. “Tonight, we are keeping it simple. All drinks are non-alcoholic in honor of us two pregnant women. We will eat, visit, play games, watch movies, and snack. Nothing too wild as requested by our bride-to-be Salem.” She motions toward our friend.
“Sounds great,” Salem announces. “Bring on the food.”
Adrian pulls deli trays from the refrigerator and I place the buns and condiments for sandwiches nearby. We open several bags of chips and two tubs of dip, then dig in. We choose to visit then watch the latest romantic comedy release. I enjoy every minute with my girls. I don’t pretend here—they take me as I am. Although we talk almost weekly, I find there is still so much I miss out on.
“Things must be very different for you in Columbia.”
I meet Salem’s eyes before I answer. “Yeah, my life is very different. I haven’t needed to use Tater Hill, Wilson Holler, or Coon Creek (pronounced krik) to give directions in over a year.” I tease my friends.
“We know,” Adrian chides. “you love it in the big city and don’t miss Athens-life.”
I don’t correct my friend. I don’t confide in my girls that I miss them and Athens. I can’t tell them I long to raise Liberty in this small town. I don’t share in my year away I’ve come to realize my distaste for Athens had much more to do with my mother and not small-town life as I believed.
An hour and a half later, Bethany starts our movie and we settle in with snacks on our laps. We chat and laugh the entire movie. I notice Salem keeps texting someone and looks concerned by the latest message.
“Everything okay?” I whisper, not wanting to draw everyone’s attention to her.
“My mom says the boiler at the church isn’t working. She’s on her way to the church to meet a repairman. It’s too cold to hold the wedding tomorrow without heat.” Concern is written all over her face.
“Adrian is asleep, and Bethany looks ready to doze off at any time.” I point in their direction. Savannah listens in on our conversation now. “We could call it a night to let the pregnant mommies rest and you can join them at the church.”
Salem hesitates, but I decide to end the party for her. “Ladies, I think it’s time to clean up the kitchen and let our future mommies get some sleep.” Adrian’s eyes snap open and we make quick work of the clean-up.