“Just think,” he said as I took the first sip of the wine. “This time tomorrow we’ll be husband and wife, dancing and partying with all our friends to celebrate.”
“Yeah.” My stomach churned again, and I took another big drink of the wine.
Of all people, Cy stood up just then, holding up his water glass. “I know this isn’t exactly expected, but I wanted to say it’s pretty cool seeing two of my best friends getting married. But you’re not hitched until tomorrow so, after dinner, Bray, we’re taking you out for a night on the town.”
Everyone laughed—and Braden said. “I’ve seen the town. I think we’ll be done in five minutes.”
“We’re going to the saloon, my friend. Pool and darts and a little beer—not a real bachelor party, but still…just a celebration of your last night as a single guy.”
They’d already had a real bachelor party two weeks earlier and I’d told Braden I didn’t want to know about it. All I knew was that they’d spent the night in Colorado Springs, and I’d gotten the feeling they’d visited a strip club or two. Roxy had offered to put together a bachelorette party for me, but I told her it would have just been the two of us.
Maybe we could have our own little party tonight while the guys did their thing.
Braden held up his glass to Cy’s kind-of toast, as did everyone else. He said, “You’re all invited—Dean, Kenny,Tom,” he said, naming Braden’s cousin and dad, and then he just pointed toward my grandpa and mother’s boyfriend. “You guys, too. We’ll make it a night to remember.”
By the time most of the people had eaten at our table, seconds included, I’d barely choked down a bite of everything on my plate. When the owner came back by, she asked, “Who wants a piece of chocolate cake for dessert?”
Several people at our table saidyes, and I asked for a second glass of wine.
When it was time to go, I gave her my debit card to pay for my drinks. Braden and I had already split the bill for the meal a month earlier, including a twenty-percent gratuity, but I still gave an extra tip for the wine. I asked the owner, “What time do you close?”
“This time of year, usually seven o’clock or when the restaurant’s empty, whichever comes first. Sometimes we’re shutting off the lights at six.”
“Would it be possible to buy a bottle of wine from you?”
“Sure. Let me see what I’ve got.”
As I put my card in my wallet, I said, “I don’t know if I want it yet—but if you’re still open when I make up my mind, I’ll come by.”
I knew it would be a bad idea to have an entire bottle of wine, even with Roxy there to help me drink it.
The owner said, “If we’re closed, you can buy a bottle from the saloon next door.”
Next door, she’d said, but the buildings were connected, so I suspected she knew what she was talking about.
Our big group was congregated outside where my mother was giving last-minute instructions. “Dani and Braden paid for breakfast here as well, but you’ll have to be here between eight and ten if you want it. It’ll be buffet-style, but there’ll be plenty, so please fill up. We’ll be meeting at the venue no laterthan eleven.” She looked at Braden and me at the back. “That includes both of you.”
Braden grinned and said quietly, “I’ll text you when I plan to go to breakfast so I don’t accidentally see you.”
It was superstitious, but it had turned out he was more traditional than I. He’d even planned to carry me over the threshold of our room that night.
“Me too,” I said.
“I can’t wait to see you in your wedding dress. You’ll be the most beautiful bride on the planet.” He stroked my cheek as he gazed into my eyes before giving me a sweet kiss.
Cy said, “Wait till your honeymoon, guys. Braden needs to enjoy his last few hours of freedom!”
Braden kissed me again. “See you tomorrow, future Mrs. Mitchell.”
I smiled as widely as I could, reminding myself that I was the luckiest woman in the world. Just as Roxy approached me, I caught Zack looking straight at me before joining the group of guys heading into the saloon.
Looking at me? It must have been my imagination.
CHAPTER 27
After spending a little time with Roxy and my family, she and I headed to my cabin for a little girl time. As we settled into the small sofa, she sighed as she began tapping out a text message.
“Is that Dean again?” I asked. All I knew of Dean, aside from MAIMD’s music, was that he was a good-looking guy who couldn’t keep his eyes off Roxy.
