CHAPTERTWELVE
Jessica stood in front of the bathroom mirror, scowling at herself. She looked tired. Shefelttired, but surely she could hide it through the magic of makeup. Emma would be picking her up in a few minutes for girls’ night out, and she was going to have fun tonight no matter what. She blotted concealer beneath her eyes, smoothed it in, and then gave herself a final once-over. She had on a low-cut purple sweater, skinny jeans, and boots, and with the dark circles under her eyes successfully camouflaged, she looked ready for a night out on the town.
Bring it.
Right on time, she heard Emma knocking at the front door.
“Coming,” Jessica called. She grabbed her purse and jacket off the end table and opened the door. “Thanks again for picking me up,” she told Emma as they walked to her SUV.
“No problem. You’re on my way, and I can’t drink anyway so I might as well put my sobriety to good use,” Emma said with a grin.
And since she’d been able to manage her headaches holistically for the last few days, Jessica really appreciated the fact that she could drink freely tonight. After the month she’d had, she needed to cut loose with her friends and enjoy a drink or three. “I’ll return the favor once the baby’s born.”
“Definitely taking you up on that.” Emma pointed a finger in her direction before climbing into the driver’s seat. “My college experience is totally lacking in the beer department so far.”
“How’s everything going?” Jessica got into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
Emma had started taking night classes a few months ago to earn her college degree, right around the same time she found out she was pregnant. “Honestly, between college and work, I’m exhausted.” Emma brushed back a lock of blond hair as she pulled out onto the road. “Once I’ve finished the gardens for the Silver Springs Lodge, I’m going to cut back my hours until after the baby’s born.”
“That sounds smart.” Jessica chewed her bottom lip. “Have you seen the inside of the lodge?”
“Checking up on the competition?” Emma asked with a sly smile.
And yep, that’s exactly what she’d been doing. Not for nothing, but the Haven Spa had been the only spa in the county for a long time. It was definitely not ideal to have a new luxury lodge with its own spa opening right before she expanded her own spa into a resort. “I’m curious, yeah.”
“It’s nice…really nice, but it has a totally different vibe than your place, Jess. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“How so?”
“It just feels like any other hotel spa. Everything’s shiny and pretty, but there’s nothing unique either. The Haven Spa has so much more character, plus you have the hot springs. And your spa cabins are going to be to-die-for.”
Emma pulled into an empty spot along the town commons, and they got out of the car. The evening air was cool and crisp. Jessica slipped into her jacket as they walked toward The Drunken Bear.
“Is Ryan working tonight?” she asked.
Emma nodded. “He’s been picking up as many extra shifts as he can get.”
“Makes sense while you’re taking evening classes.”
“Yep. Saving up as much as we can before the baby comes.”
They pushed through the front doors of The Drunken Bear and found Gabby and Carly already seated at a table by the window. Mandy joined them soon after.
Carly passed her cell phone around the table, showing them photos of her wedding dress.
“It’s gorgeous,” Jessica said, and she meant it. The dress was a classic ballgown style, strapless with a full skirt and a heavily beaded bodice. “You’re going to look like a princess.”
“I can’t wait.” Carly had a dreamy look in her eyes.
“It’s like a wedding epidemic around here,” Mandy said, tossing a meaningful look in Jessica’s direction.
She nodded in solidarity, as the only other single (or at least semi-single) person at the table.
“More importantly,” Mandy added, “does Sam have any single, famous friends? Because I wouldn’t mind a rock star of my own.”
“Ooh, I hadn’t even thought of that,” Gabby said. “The town is going to be crawling with celebrities that weekend, I bet.”
Carly nodded. “There will be some famous faces around here, no doubt about it. And Sam does have some single friends you and Jessica might swoon for, although I’m not sure yet how many of them will fly out for the wedding.”
