Logan looks to Ethan and Drake as if looking for help.
Drake shakes his head. “The dude doesn’t care. Just make sure you’re wearing the right outfit when the two of you lock yourself in the bathroom right after the ceremony.”
Em grunts, “Gross.”
Rory waves him off. “Logan loves it. And we’re not supposed to lock ourselves in the bathroom, are we?” She cringes at the thought. “And what’s the right thing to wear for that, anyway?”
“Nothing,” Ethan replies. “He wants you good and naked.”
Mia and Melissa wander into the room and moan because they clearly heard the tasteless joke. Not that it isn’t true. Logan does prefer me in the nude, as I do him. I can’t help it. It’s our best look together.
Mia glides past me on her way to Rory.
“Crap, Skyla.” Mia all but swats her. “You took Tad’s credit card and you bought that tacky thing to wear to your wedding?”
Mom leans in. “For the record, all of our credit cards have been frozen by the FTC. This was purchased from Demetri’s credit card. He’s been nice enough to put me on his account.”
A dull huff evicts from my throat. “Oh, this just gets better.”
Tad lifts a finger. “Don’t worry. I plan on paying back every red cent to my good friend Demeet. In fact, he said he’d gladly pick up the tab for tonight’s rehearsal dinner.”
“And”—Mom kisses Jaxson before handing my beautiful boy off to Logan—“he gave us carte blanche to pick up a few new threads ourselves to wear tonight and to the wedding.” She links arms with Tad. “Andweare going shopping.”
Mia and Melissa gasp at the thought of shiny new accouterments on Demetri’s dime.
Melissa snatches her purse off the sofa table. “I’m in.”
“Yup.” Mia snatches up her purse, too. “I might just sneak in a couple new pairs of shoes and some serious bling while I’m at it. It is my sister’s wedding, after all. It’s practically illegal for me not to put my best foot forward.”
I nod her way. “You might want to stock up for your own wedding, too. You never know when Demetri will revoke the offer.”
“Dude.” Melissa nods. “Is it too early to shop for my wedding? I just know Gabe is going to pop the question soon.”
Mia makes a face. “That’s one sloppy second I’m glad you took off my plate. Hey? Iknow. We should buy dresses and accessories to wear to each other’s weddings, too!”
Bree coos, “Aw! That’s so sweet.”
I manufacture a sigh myself. “I just love it when people spend all of Demetri’s never-earned money. What the heck, Mia—pick up a little bauble for me, too.”
Mom rolls her eyes. “We’ll see you all tonight at the rehearsal dinner. I just can’t believe this is happening. Oh, and Skyla? Feel free to wear something cheeky for the run-through tonight. Lexy says it’s fine to be as tacky as you want during rehearsal. She said it helps some people ease their nerves.”
The only thing that will ease my nerves is a little celestial switcheroo taking place before the big day.
Mom and Tad take off, and half the room drains with them.
Bree decides to get her nails done and does a disappearing act. It’s just faux Skyla, Logan, Emily, and me—and the littles, of course.
Rory looks my way. “Don’t worry, Chloe. I know why you’re standing around. You’re invited to the rehearsal dinner tonight, too. You might want to get ready. It’s not a fancy place, but you can do better than those old ratty sweatpants.” She gives a little wink my way.
“I’ll wear a dress.” I give a quick look around. “You want me to start blowing up balloons or something? Picking up a few toys off the ground? Wash the dishes? It doesn’t look very festive around here.”
Rory chortles, and I try to resist the urge to grab a cleaver out of the kitchen to hack her head off with it. The sound of my own voice is grating on my nerves.
Welcome to the club, Messenger.
No kidding,I say.And all these years, I just thought you were mean. Come to find out, you were merely trying to survive.
Rory rolls her eyes. “We’re not having the party here, Chloe. What kind of a hillbilly do you think I am?” She giggles. “Em taught me that.” She gives a sly wink. “Brielle got Logan to tell her the name of the restaurant we had our first date at and we booked it there.”
