“What?” Ireland wiped her face. “No. But I wanted Bran’s support. I wanted him to think of me and not only himself.”
“And that’s what you deserve. Don’t settle for less.”
“I won’t,” Ireland said. “I want what you and Jaeg have. I’m sorry for bringing down your special day.”
“It’s not until tomorrow, so don’t worry about raining on that parade. Right now, I want you to be okay.”
Ireland smiled. “I’ll be fine. If there’s anything that’s come from moving to Lake Tahoe and starting over, it’s that I’m not giving up on my happily ever after.”
Cali raised her glass. “To happily ever afters.”
Chapter 31
Cali peered into the full-length mirror, wearing the most gorgeous gown Ireland had ever seen. The dress was a column shape with a halter-top and a beaded waist, and it fit Cali’s petite frame to perfection. “I’m going to throw up.”
Ireland grabbed the bridal bouquet. “You’re not going to throw up. You’re going to marry your man.”
Cali turned and looked at her. “For real. I might pass out.”
“I know what you need.” Ireland glanced around, searching the room.
“A barf bucket?”
“A shot of tequila.”
“Are you crazy?” Cali said. “That’ll for sure make me hurl.”
Ireland’s mouth twisted. “You’re right, not tequila. Bad hangover reputation. But something else.” She pointed at Cali. “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.”
“Wait! Don’t leave me.” Cali held Gen, who was watching Cali’s freak-out with familiar stoicism.
“I’ll pin her down if I need to,” Gen said. “Just make sure you get something strong.”
“Make sure you get enough for all of us,” Kerstin, Jaeg’s sister, chimed in.
“On it!” Ireland ran out the door of the bridal suite, also known as Jaeg and Kerstin’s parents’ bedroom.
She scanned the hallway of the large three-story house, and caught sight of Gabe flirting with a beautiful blonde. “Gabe,” she stage-whispered.
He looked over, said something to the woman, then sauntered toward Ireland like he was on a Sunday stroll.
“You need something, dear sister?”
“Why are you flirting with another woman? What about Jennifer?”
Gabe glanced away. “We broke up.”
“Really?”
“It was time,” he said, but he looked angry.
Ireland shook her head. She couldn’t deal with this and Cali’s freak-out too. “Okay, well, Cali needs a stiff drink right away. Will you have the bartender put together a tray of peppermint brandy shots?”
Gabe cringed. “Why peppermint?”
“So her breath doesn’t smell when she greets guests.”
“Have you seen the line at the open bar? No one will be able to tell she’s been drinking. They’re all half-soused.”
