I hold up my near-empty glass. “Yes, Mrs.-Faraday-To-Be. The rum punch is flowing and Keane just finished telling me the highly entertaining story of how he and Zander fell in platonic love thanks to identical dick-tattoos.”
Kat laughs. “That’s a new one. I thought Peenie and Z became besties after being trapped together in an elevator with a porn star.” She shoots Keane a snarky look and he belly-laughs. “Fucking Peen,” she mutters, but she’s smiling. “So, Tessa, I came over here to make sure everything’s all set for tomorrow night’s concert?”
“Yep. I’ve got everything handled, my dear. The sound company will be here at three to start setting up; sound-check for the boys will be at five, right before the luau; and, when the luau’s over, we’ll make an announcement telling everyone to head over to the nightclub for the show. And, don’t worry, I’ll personally escort Reed Rivers to the nightclub.”
“Ah, you’ve figured out my dastardly plan, have you?” Kat says.
I wink.
“Please do make sure Reed gets his ass over there,” Kat says. “My worst nightmare would be for Reed to suddenly decide to take a stroll on the beach with a hula dancer after the luau.”
“I’ll get him there, by hook or crook,” I say. “I promise.”
“You’re amazing, Tessa. Hey, come with me to the bar, would you, honey? I need another club soda and it looks like your glass is empty.”
“Sure thing.” I put my arm out and she links her elbow in mine and we stroll toward the bar like she’s a duchess and I’m her merry maid, giggling the entire way.
“Have I ever told you how much you remind me of Sarah?” Kat says.
“Yup, you told me that while we were shopping for your wedding dress, remember?”
“That’s right. And what did you say in response?”
“I said that was funny because you remindmeso much ofmybest friend, too.”
“Oh, yeah,” Kat says. “And what’d you say to me then? I remember it was so cute.”
“I said my best friend Charlotte is you to a tee, if only Charlotte had blonde hair instead of red and an additional five inches added to her legs.”
Kat giggles. “I just love that my spiritual doppelgänger is a cute little redhead. What’s Charlotte’s last name again? I remember it was an adorable little leprechaun name.”
“Wow, you have a great memory. Charlotte McDougal.”
Kat lets out a loud squeal. “Charlotte McDougal. That’s right. Oh, how I love that adorable name.”
“Charlotte’s name fits her. She’s a sassy little leprechaun.”
“To sassy leprechauns!” Kat says, raising her cup.
“Hear, hear!” I say.
“Let’s go over there, honey,” Kat says, pointing to a quiet area overlooking the moonlit beach. “I want you all to myself for a minute.”
We walk a few paces to a secluded little spot, and I must admit, I’m feeling awfully special Kat wants to talk with me one-on-one for a bit, even if it’s just for a few minutes, especially when she’s got an entire party full of people who’ve flown thousands of miles to be with her.
“So pretty,” Kat says, looking at the ocean. “It’s truly paradise, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” I agree. “Thank you for letting me enjoy it as a guest. I thought it’d be hard for me to take my employee-hat off, but I’ve found it shockingly easy.” I take another long guzzle of my drink and giggle to myself about how buzzed I feel.
“You feeling okay, honey?” Kat says. “You seem a little wobbly.”
“I’m great.Fantastic. But, yeah, a teeny bit wobbly.”
“Hold onto my belly, sweetie—it’s like a life raft.”
I place both of my palms on Kat’s hard baby bump. “Ah. Much better. Thanks.”
“You don’t get crazy-wild very often, do you?”
