"How did you know?" I have been tight-lipped about it around her.
"Out of the million traditional wedding things we have planned or done, you have never once said a word about a bachelorette party. I knew you wouldn't be passing up throwing one."
"This is true." I do find them to be silly. It's not a last wild night. You're still in a relationship, and it definitely won't be our last night out. I polish off my drink before we head out.
“Everything was perfect, Tony,” I tell the owner and chef as we make our way through the back of the kitchen. Tony retired and moved here about the same time I was born and opened this place.
“You pretty ladies don’t get up to too much trouble.” Candy takes a cannoli from him as we pass by.
“We make no promises.” I blow him a kiss before slipping out the back door.
I loop my arm through Candy’s as I start to sway. That third martini might not have been my best idea. But not all ideas can be great. You can't win them all.
“Where are we headed?”
“The Frosty Mug.”
“That might be the last place in this town I haven’t seen inside of.”
It's a short walk. I pause at the door. "Hold, I have to get you ready." I dig into my bag and find the sash that saysbride-to-beacross it and slip it onto her before I place the sparkly crown onto her head. "A crown really suits you," I tell her.
"Really?" Candy stands up a little straighter.
"I'm sure Hollis could buy you a real one," I joke. It might not actually be a joke. If she wanted a crown, he'd get her one. "We can get the girls a couple little ones too."
"We don't know if they're girls."
"They're girls." I have a knack for guessing the sex of babies. Never once have I been wrong, but I'm not going to tell Candy that. She wants the surprise. Right now, she's thinking I'm willing it to happen.
When we enter the bar, all the girls I invited jump up and yell, "Surprise!" Candy covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes filling with tears. Everyone rushes over to give her hugs. I get a little choked up too. I love that I was able to pull this together for her. Seeing her reaction warms my heart.
Candy didn't have anyone else in life. The one friend she did think she had wasn't a friend at all. Now she'll have more than she'll know what to do with. Me of course being in the number one spot.
Travis comes over and hands me an espresso martini. “Made it just for you.” He winks at me. I should probably slow down, but instead I take a sip. I can’t be rude.
“It’s good.” My eyes roam over the bar, taking account of who is all here. There are a good amount of non-locals tonight. That’s when I spot Beckett at the end of the bar. I had to do a double take. She was pretty in uniform. In a dress she’s gorgeous.
“Yeah, she came in about twenty minutes ago,” Travis says, seeing where my attention had gone. “I didn’t know whether you invited her to the party or not, so I didn’t say anything to her about it.”
“I didn’t.” That doesn’t mean another person hadn’t. Candy practically bounces over to me. I take another sip of my drink.
“Shelly is here,” she whispers. “Do we hate her, or can I talk to her?”
“Yeah, I kinda like Shelly.” I roll my eyes, but I’m only teasing. Of course I adore Shelly. I just don’t adore all the attention she gets from Cash. I’m jealous when it comes to him. I can’t help it. He is the one thing I want to be all mine alone.
“Cool, because she just gave me two book recommendations, and I wanna read them.”
“One a pirate book?”
“Yes!”
I laugh. “Come on. Let's dance and do karaoke before this party gets busted up.” I take my coat off and lay it over one of the chairs. Travis whistles at me.
It’s only a matter of time before Hollis shows up. Cash will, too, which I was hoping for. Now that Beckett is here, I’m not so sure I want him to.
I hate that I have this dislike for her. I don’t know if it’s real jealousy or if I’m right about the vibe I’m getting from her. Only time will tell. I’m not usually wrong about these things, especially when it comes to people.
Chapter Eleven
