Seduction, page 17
“Get ready for the night of your life!” he screamed.
Wow, he was already very drunk. “Shouldn’t you be saying that to Daphne?”
The limo pulled back into the NYC traffic.
“Penny.” He put his hand on his chest. “What do you take me for? Tonight will be each and every one of your favorite nights ever. I’m a party planner. And I’ve aced it. It’s the bachelorette party to end all bachelorette parties.”
I laughed. “Well, I can’t wait. What are we doing?”
“It’s a surprise, baby doll. Champagne?” He started pouring himself another glass.
“I’m pregnant.”
He laughed. “I thought you were allowed to drink a little on special occasions.”
“I’m not sure that’s a thing.”
“Well, darn. Don’t worry though. This will still be fun sober. I think. I don’t really know. It all came together last minute.”
“But you just said it was the bachelorette party to end all bachelorette parties.”
“Yeah. It should be. But there are so many moving pieces. And I had a whole bachelor party to plan too because James absolutely insisted on it.”
Did he though?
“And getting everyone super drunk was part of how I was pulling it all off. I’m running on empty. I have the biggest wedding of the season tomorrow and I haven’t slept in three days.”
“Justin…that’s…not good. Maybe you should take a nap?”
“Nonsense. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”
I was starting to realize that Justin lived off of caffeine and champagne. And…stress. I didn’t know how he did it. I wanted a nap and I’d already taken one this afternoon.
We pulled to a stop in front of Bee’s place.
She was dressed just like I thought she’d be. A sparkly mini-dress with sky high heels. The kind of dress I would have 100% worn if I wasn’t pregnant.
She climbed into the limo. “Your tits look amazing,” she said to me. “And Justin, you look divine as always.”
Justin smiled. “I love you. You know that right? I’m obsessed. When do I get to plan your wedding to that handsome lover of yours?”
Bee laughed and plopped down on the seat between us. “I think we’ve had enough weddings this year. But I’ll keep you updated.”
“You better.” He handed her a glass of champagne.
“So what are we doing tonight?” Bee asked.
“It’s a surprise.” He tilted her drink up so that she’d have to take a sip. “Drink, drink, drink!”
Bee laughed.
If he was trying to get everyone shitfaced before we even arrived anywhere…I was starting to wonder if all Justin had planned was this limo ride.
Honestly that sounded kind of good to me. The limo screeched to a stop at a red light. I put my hand on my stomach. Sudden stops like that over the past few months had always made me nauseous. But tonight…I felt fine. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was really happy that I hadn’t had morning sickness all week. It was like a wedding miracle. For a minute there, I’d been wondering how to hide a brown paper bag in a bouquet. But now I had nothing to worry about. I hope.
The limo came to another stop in front of Daphne’s place. Two girls I didn’t recognize climbed into the limo.
“You must be Alina and Kristen,” I said and put out my hand. I didn’t know them, but I’d heard fun stories. Daphne had been friends with them in college. But I definitely didn’t know which one was which. Had Daphne said Kristen was the taller one?
And then it hit me. I’d been so consumed thinking about James, the baby, and the wedding, that I didn’t put it together that this was Kristen. Kristen Kristen! Daphne’s friend that used to stalk my husband when they were all in college. At least, that’s how James put it. He’d almost had to issue a restraining order against her. And she’d been at James’ bachelor party at the Blue Parrot Resort too. Where Rob and Daphne had met. Had she hit on my husband there too?
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Alina,” the blonde one said and shook my hand.
So that meant Kristen was the taller one with brown hair. I thought about maybe saying something about Kristen’s silly crush from ages ago. To just laugh off the whole situation right away so nothing would be awkward. But maybe it was better if they didn’t know that I knew. Right? I put out my hand for Kristen. “Nice to meet you.” Yup, this was a better way to handle it. Just pretend I didn’t know her.
Kristen high-fived me instead of shaking my hand. “Thank you so much, all of you, for helping our girl out like this at the last minute.”
“Speaking of our girl…where is Daphne?” Justin asked. “We’re already running late!”
Someone needed to take away his champagne.
Kristen laughed. “You know Daphne…she was having trouble deciding on an outfit.”
“I thought she only had trouble deciding on menu items,” Justin said.
She laughed. “Where did you get that idea? She’s indecisive about everything.”
Justin stared daggers at me.
Okay, fine. Daphne was a little indecisive about some other things. But not the same way she was with food. I hadn’t lied. I’d just…sugar coated the truth. Sue me. “I’m sure she’ll be out any minute.”
“So I have to ask,” Kristen said and turned back to me. “What’s it like being married to Professor James Hunter?”
Alina kicked her shin.
“Ow! I wasn’t being bad. I was just asking a question.”
“Ignore her,” Alina said. “Kristen had a crush on James in college. But it’s over now. Because she has an incredibly sweet boyfriend.”
Kristen shrugged and grabbed a glass of champagne. “Tim is wonderful. And perfect in every way. Including how he understands the need for hall passes.”
Alina kicked her again.
“Stop it,” Kristen said and grabbed her shin. “I was joking. Obviously I’m not going to try to sleep with Penny’s husband. That would be inappropriate. Unless she were to give me permission. Oh! Maybe we could swap.”
There was an awkward silence.
I was certainly not going to give this crazy woman permission to sleep with my husband. Besides, James wasn’t into tall, tan girls, with big breasts and pretty faces. I swallowed hard. He wasn’t. I was just getting in my head because my tummy was growing and I looked short and squat next to these volleyball players.
I cleared my throat. “I’m going to go check on Daphne.” I climbed out of the limo. I knocked on Daphne’s door but no one answered. I slowly opened it. “Daphne?” I called.
Still no response.
I walked into her place and wandered into the back where her bedroom was. She was sitting on her bed in the middle of about 50 dresses.
“The one I wanted to wear doesn’t fit.”
“That’s okay.”
“I’m fat! For my wedding!”
I laughed. “Daphne, you look amazing. I’m the one that’s going to be fat for your wedding.” I pointed to my baby bump.
She finally smiled. “There’s a difference between pregnant and fat. You’re glowing.”
“I don’t know about that. I feel huge.” I plopped down next to her on the bed. “Especially next to Kristen. I really wish I never knew about her crush on James.”
“Oh my gosh.” She grabbed my hand. “Please just ignore anything Kristen says tonight. She and Alina were pre-gaming and I swear she’s already drunk. And when she’s drunk she…”
“Talks inappropriately about my husband?”
“Bingo. I’m so sorry. She’s incorrigible.”
“It’s fine. I’m used to women wanting to sleep with James.”
Daphne laughed. And then she groaned. “Wait, it doesn’t go away once you’re married? Because I could seriously knock some girls out the way they look at Rob.”
“No, it doesn’t go away.”
“I guess that’s what we get for marrying the Hunter brothers.”
I smiled. “It’s worth it though.”
“So worth it.” Daphne grabbed one of the dresses off her bed and pulled it on. “Thank you. For calming me down.”
“Hey, that’s what sisters are for.”
She smiled at me. And then tears started to well in her eyes.
“Daphne, don’t cry. You look beautiful.” And she did. If I thought Bee’s dress was sparkly, this thing was off the charts. And she looked perfectly skinny.
“It’s not that.” She quickly wiped under her eyes so her mascara wouldn’t run. “I just…I really…I always pictured my brother would be here for my wedding. For all the important stuff, you know?” Her lower lip started trembling. “All the big things.”
Oh, Daphne. My heart ached for her. I stepped forward and hugged her. Because it was all I could do. Suddenly her freak out made a whole lot more sense. She wasn’t nervous about marrying Rob. Or worried she was getting fat.
“I wanted him here,” she said, a few of her tears landing on my shoulder. “How did he not know how much I wanted him beside me?”
“He knew.” I hugged her tighter as I blinked back my own tears. She was missing her brother because tomorrow was one of the most important days of her life. And she wished he was still around to see it. He’d had addiction problems like James. But his story had ended in tragedy.
“I miss him most on holidays. And things like this.” She sighed and hugged me back. “You should see me on Christmas. Literally every Christmas since he passed. I’m a mess.”
“I know it’s not the same at all but…I do understand. When I almost lost James? It was like a piece of my heart shattered. And I don’t know what I would have done if he never woke up. You’re so strong, Daphne. But you don’t have to be strong alone anymore. Because we’re you’re family now too. And I promise, we’re not going anywhere.”
She laughed even though it was tinged with sadness. “You know?” she said as she stepped back. “If you haven’t noticed…I can be a little indecisive.”
“Oh? Really?”
She laughed. “Don’t even with me.”
I laughed.
“I thought I’d be second guessing this crazy wedding by now. I fell in love with Rob so hard and so fast, you know? But all of you guys made it easy for me to be sure I made the right choice. I think I needed this more than I ever realized. A big family.”
“And now you have it.” I smiled at her. “How about we go get this insane bachelorette party over with so we can get you down the aisle.”
“Deal.” She wiped under her eyes once more. “Let’s go party in style!”
“That’s my girl.”
She laughed and looped her arm through mine.
I wasn’t sure why I ever thought she hated me. She’d quickly become one of my very best friends.
Chapter 22
Friday
The music was so loud that I could feel it vibrating through my whole body. I always loved dancing. But I loved it significantly more when my husband was here. And when my feet weren’t swollen. And when I wasn’t worried that my baby would now pop out addicted to techno music. I slid onto a stool at the bar.
Justin was jumping up and down in the middle of the dance floor.
“What are you drinking?” the guy next to me at the bar asked.
I put my left hand on top of my baby bump and turned to him. My engagement and wedding bands shimmered under the lights. “I’m not. But thanks.”
“What are you doing in a place like this?”
“One of my friends is getting married tomorrow.” I turned on my stool back toward the dance floor. “Right there.” I pointed to Daphne who was now wearing a shimmery tiara and a bright pink sash that read: “Bride-to-be.”
“Are any of them single?”
I was about to say ‘no,’ but pressed my lips together. Kristen had made a few more comments about my husband. And honestly, I’d rather her be drooling over someone else. Like this guy. “See that tall one with brown hair?”
“Yeah.” He smiled.
“She’s the only single one.”
“Noted. Thanks.” He disappeared into the crowd.
Payback was a bitch. Not that it was really payback. Kristen could just tell him I was mistaken. That she was happily dating someone. But knowing what little I knew about Kristen, she’d probably spend the rest of her night grinding against him. I didn’t care what she did, as long as she didn’t do it with James.
Speaking of which…I pulled out my phone, hoping I’d have a text from him. I really wanted to meet up with him later. But I only had one text and it was from Melissa: “Call me.”
I looked back at my friends. They were all still dancing. I grabbed my purse and headed out the doors to an alley. I walked a little farther until I couldn’t hear the music and called Melissa.
“Oh my God, you won’t even believe what happened today!” she screamed.
I laughed. “It can’t be as crazy as my day. I can’t believe I haven’t talked to you in a couple weeks. So much has happened.”
“You first,” Melissa said. “Because my news is going to blow your mind and we won’t be able to talk about anything else.”
“Well…I’m at Daphne’s bachelorette party. Because she and Rob are getting married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? When did that happen?”
“They planned the whole thing in two weeks.”
“Oh, so she’s pregnant?”
I laughed. “Everyone has been saying that. But no…they’re just in love.”
“Well, good for him. I never thought he’d settle down. How is my niece or nephew?”
I looked down at my stomach. “He doesn’t like techno music.” I hope.
Melissa laughed.
“Wait. Melissa, isn’t it like…almost 5 am there?” She was on an extended work trip in London.
“Yes it is.”
“What are you doing up?”
“That’s what I wanted to tell you! You won’t even believe who I ran into at my dinner meeting tonight.”
I honestly had no idea. “Who?”
“Josh.”
“Josh? As in college Josh?”
“Yes. What are the odds that we’d run into each other in London of all places?”
“So slim.”
“I know. It’s fate, right? We spent the whole night just talking and walking around the city. It was amazing. And he just dropped me off at my hotel.” She sighed and I could picture her falling backward onto her bed. “I think I’m still in love with him.”
I opened my mouth and then closed it again. “Really?”
“It felt like the very first night I hung out with him all over again. We caught up and just talked the night away. I still remember that first night I hung out with him perfectly. I had this feeling in my bones that it would be my best year ever. And in so many ways it was. Until everything crumbled at the end of spring semester.”
Melissa had not taken that breakup well. It was probably one of the reasons why she’d ended up in Rob’s bed. “So the spark is still there?”
“Girl, it’s not a spark. It’s freaking fireworks!”
I leaned against the wall of the club. “I’m so happy for you.”
“But he goes back to Texas tomorrow night. We’re supposed to hang out all day tomorrow and I…I don’t know how I’m going to walk away again.”
“Who says you have to walk away?”
“Because I still have work here. And as soon as it’s done I’m flying back to NYC.”
“I thought your job had offices in Texas?”
“Stop it,” Melissa said. “I can’t drop everything and move to Texas just because I felt a dumb spark.”
“Nope. Fireworks. Don’t change your words on me.”
She groaned. And then she was quiet for a long moment. “I really never stopped, you know? I was so focused on school and then finding a job and I just…never really processed it. I never stopped to think about how much I freaking missed him.”
“I know.” I’d felt so awful knowing they’d broken up, knowing that I wasn’t in town to be there for her. She’d had little flings with Rob, Matt, and Tyler. But they were just that. Flings. Because she’d never gotten over Josh. And all those guys hadn’t been looking for something serious either. “This could be your second chance to do it right.”
“Just for the record, you’re encouraging insanity, Penny.”
“I’m just a believer in love.”
She slowly exhaled. “I’m going to marry him this time.”
I smiled. “I don’t doubt it. All I have is one question. Did he kiss you goodnight?”
“Yes. And it was even better than I remembered.”
“Well, you have your answer. He’s feeling it too. I think you have to go for it, Melissa.”
She squealed and I held the phone away from my ear.
“Keep me updated, okay? I gotta get back inside.”
“Love you!” she said.
“Love you back.” I ended the call and looked down at my phone. Talking to her reminded me of Tyler. I hadn’t heard from him in weeks either. But I also wasn’t going to call him. Because I was giving him the space he needed to be happy. I hoped he and Hailey were doing well. And I hoped that one day they’d move back to the city. I had this silly idea in my head that our children could grow up together.
I looked down at my stomach. “That’s silly, right?”
My belly did not respond.
“Who knows, little guy. Maybe Tyler and Hailey will have a little girl and the two of you will live happily ever after.”
No response.
“I can already see it,” I said. “I can already picture you coming into this world and making it so much brighter.” I smiled to myself. I knew I looked insane in this back alley talking to no one at all. And yet…I was really freaking happy tonight.
I turned to go back inside, but thought better of it. A few more minutes of fresh air would be nice. I shot James a quick text: “Hopefully we’re heading back to the hotel soon. Do you know when you guys will be there?”
I waited a few seconds for his response, but none came. They’d probably be another hour at least. Hopefully my friends would wrap it up soon. I was exhausted.
But still happy. How could I not be? Two of my best friends were getting married tomorrow. Melissa was happy. James and I were expecting a baby. How could things get any better than this?
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