“You definitely willnotdiscover my man’s talents,” I agree with a snort. “He’s …everything.It’s honestly as simple as that. And now, he’s mine.”
“See,that’sthe goal,” Tandy says, pointing at me. “That look that you have on your face right now, the one that says that you can’t live without him.”
“Oh, Icanlive without him,” I reply. “I did for a long-ass time. But it’s a miserable existence, and I don’t ever want to do it again.”
“Okay, that’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.” Christy wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “And I’m so damn happy for you. You deserve every minute of happiness. You just look like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. This whole mess here at the restaurant was alot, and you’re so calm and serene.”
“Love does that.” Erica nods. “Makes all the bad stuff seem less …bad.”
She’s exactly right.
When this started, it felt catastrophic. I didn’t think I’d get through it in one piece. And here we are, just a few weeks later, and everything is so much better than I ever dared even hope for.
“Hey, guys,” Ava says with a wave as she comes charging through the door. “Holy shit, it’sgorgeousin here.”
Harper is right behind her, and then to my utter surprise, all the other girls file in, too. Billie, Skyla, and Dani, along with Dani’s sisters.
It’s a whole girl gang.
My girl gang.
“Tell me I can get my salad soon,” Harper says, looking desperate. “Come on, you’re about to be my sister-in-law. Hell, youare, since Blake already put a ring on my finger. Help a sister out.”
Sisters.
I don’t just have friends.
I have sisters.
Holy shit.
“I reopen the day after tomorrow, and I’ll have your salad. But I could probably make one for you tomorrow night. All of the food is being delivered in the morning.”
“I can wait for opening day.” Harper grins. “I’m so excited for you, friend.”
“We all are,” Dani adds. “And since you and Brooks got married so fast and we didn’t have time to have a party, we’re having one now. Tonight.”
“That’s our cue to head out.” Christy winks. “Come on, ladies. Let’s get out of the way so the boss lady can party.”
“Have fun,” Tandy says with a wave, and when they’re gone, I turn back to my gang.
“I’m not exactly dressed for a party.”
“It’s super casual,” Darby replies. “We’re all going to Billie’s mansion, so we can drool over her library, eat all of the amazingfood that Cassie’s made for us, and those of usnotknocked up can drink a bunch of liquor.”
“I’msodown for that. Let me just text Brooks so he knows not to expect me.”
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and shoot my man a message.
Me: Hey, babe! I’m headed to Billie’s with the girls for a post-wedding girls’ night. Won’t be home until later.
“I wish I had some goodies to bring with me,” I tell the girls while the three little dots hop on the screen, signaling that Brooks is replying. “But there isn’t a morsel of food in this place.”
“Trust me.” Billie shakes her head. “Cassie has been cooking up a storm at the house. I told her we wanted snack foods. Appetizers. Desserts. And everything is safe for you, I promise. She sanitized the whole kitchen before she started and is using new tools.”
I blink at my gorgeous sister-in-law. Billie’s in Dior today, because of course she is. But it’s casual Dior.
If there is such a thing.
