“I’ll call you if I need anything,” I promise.
He drops a quick, fierce kiss on my lips.
“Abby, you’d better put wine glasses on your registry because I’m tired of drinking out of these juice glasses,” Stacy teases, breaking into our private moment before I can get lost in our potent chemistry.
“I don’t need any wedding gifts,” I reply with a laugh. “Just celebrating with y’all tonight is enough.”
“Well, you’re not buying a single drink tonight,” Franklin declares. “The bride doesn’t pay for her drinks.”
The moment seems surreal. I can hardly believe that I’m going to be Dane’s bride.
He’d said our wedding day was coming soon like it’s a threat, but I can hardly wait.
“I’ll see you tonight,” Dane promises.
Then he’s out the door, and I’m alone with my two closest friends.
“I’m texting the girls,” Stacy declares. “We’re getting tacos before karaoke.”
Franklin places a juice cup filled with red wine into my hand.
“We’ve seen the ring, but are we going to talk about that necklace?” he teases, gesturing at my throat. “Those can’t be real diamonds. Is any of this real? Are we in some sort of crazy dream world where you ended up with the hottest man on the planet,andhe’s rich?”
I touch my collar with a dreamy smile. “I know, it’s crazy.”
“It’s so fast,” Stacy says, her voice dropping to a more serious tone now that Dane is gone. “Are you sure he’s not too good to be true?”
I think about how he stalked and kidnapped me. Nothing about that wasgood.
“Dane has his flaws,” I assure her. “But I love him anyway.”
“Abby is in love!” Franklin declares, my romantic friend practically buzzing for me. “You deserve it.”
“Just make sure he treats you right,” Stacy says sternly. “The diamonds are a good start, but he’d better cherish the fuck out of you, or he’ll have to answer to us.”
“He does,” I assure her. “No need to go on the attack. But I appreciate you so much for being in my corner.”
“Well, if you’re sure about him, I’m thrilled for you,” she says earnestly. “Cheers to Abby and Dane!”
Franklin clinks his glass against each of ours and joins in the toast. I beam at my friends and take my first sip of wine. I don’t intend to get drunk, but I’m more than happy to get a little tipsy. It’s my first bachelorette party, after all.
61
DANE
Two weeks later
“We’re going to The Magnolia?” Abigail’s delicately arched brows draw together as I guide her toward the boutique hotel where we had our first date. “I thought you said we’re going to the beach. I’m not dressed for the rooftop bar.”
She gestures at her casual sundress. The straps of her dark purple bikini are visible at her neckline, a tantalizing suggestion of what she’ll look like in the skimpy swimsuit.
I blink the wolfish glint from my eyes and offer her a teasing smile. “We are going to the beach, just not right now. We’re stopping at The Magnolia first.”
“Dane!” she protests, even as she allows me to lead her into the entry hall that’s set up as a small art gallery.
None of the work on display compares to her masterpieces, but her gaze instantly strays to the paintings. Her lovely eyes shine with an awestruck light as she drinks in the art like it’s the most breathtaking thing she’s ever seen.
All qualms about her outfit are forgotten as soon as she loses herself in her artistic nature.
