CHAPTER ONE
Ashley
Tomorrow is my wedding day; the day I'll say yes to Ross Brynn, my future husband.
I’m making a smart choice. A safe choice. A choice I have weighed from every possible angle.
I love Ross. It’s not the reckless sort of love I had withMr. Unnameablewhen I was young, dumb, and intellectually numb. That was a dangerous sort of love. The sort that broke my heart so entirely that part of it even died one day.
But having a dead part in your heart isn’t such a bad thing. Not when the part that died was the foolish part. The part that believed in a fairy tale type of love that doesn’t really exist.
Ross is going to be a dentist, which is perfect because I just earned my degree as a dental hygienist. Shortly after the wedding, we’ll fly to Louisville, Kentucky, where Ross will complete dental school, and we’ll start our lives together.
“Hellooo…” A hand waves before my face, the bright, purple manicure pulling me from my musings. “Earth to Ashley. Put your arms up, girl. Let’s get this thing on you.”
My lashes flutter as I focus on Shelly, who’s holding myBride-to-besash with her outstretched hands.
“There you are,” she says when my eyes meet hers. “Lift up those arms, shorty. It’s time to don your party favors.” She proceeds to slip the thing over my head as Jessica comes in with the tiara.
“Yes, girl,queen!” Jessica says as she digs the spiky clips along my scalp to make it stay. They’re wearing party favors of their own, sashes titledBridesmaid 1, 2, 3, 4,and5.
They have crowns too, but theirs are smaller with far less diamonds, of course, because tonight is—as my bridesmaid party assures me—my night.
“Now, I know Ross doesn’t want you to drink tonight,” Jessica says, “but you can at least doonecelebration shot with us.” She ushers me to a tall table with an inflatable palm tree resting in the center. A sign dangles from one of its puffy palm fronds:Reserved for the Bride-to-be and Her Beaches.
“Okay,” I say, trying my best to sound resigned. Ross has strong opinions, and since I’m more of a go-with-the-flow type of gal, I don’t mind letting him dictate aspects that he feels strongly about. Hence, the no drinking while we’re apart rule.
But what my friends don’t know is that Ross changed his mind and decided it was fine if we each had justonecelebratory drink at our events, which means I get to take the shot and skip the lingering side of guilt for going against Ross’s wishes on such a momentous night.
The rather hunky bartender (I wonder when I’ll stop noticing things like that) brings the round of shots to our table personally before adding a heap of whipped cream on top of mine and holding it out for me.
“So we lose another,” the handsome guy says with a wink. “Tell me, are you handing out any party favors tonight? Say, inthe form of an innocent celebration kiss?” He taps the corner of his lips.
“I knowIam,” Shelly says.
“Me too,” Jessica coos.
I grin, knowing I’m about to say no but still basking in the delicious warmth of feeling desired. I haven’t been looked at in such a way since…since a time I refuse to reflect on.
I clear my throat. “Sorry,” I say, “we might not have exchanged vows yet, but Iama taken woman.”
“Andhe’sa lucky man,” the bartender says, lifting my hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to it.
I blush, and my bridal party lets out a collective sigh.
“You ladies enjoy your night,” he says before heading back to the bar.
Jessica stretches her arm toward the center of the table, nudging the inflatable palm to one side. “Who’s giving the toast?”
“I am,” my sister Annica cheers. We stretch our shot glasses toward the center. “To Ashley, may this be the long-lasting love she’s been searching for.”
We clink glasses. I slurp the mound of cream off the top before tipping mine back, then shudder violently. “Yeesh,” I say, giving in to yet another shiver.
The girls laugh and pull me onto the dance floor.
“Let’s dance before the food comes,” Shelly says.
As I head onto the dance floor, I feel on top of the world. I am going to get loose with my bridesmaids and enjoy the night. As we dance, I take a moment to reflect on the special friendship I have with each of them. Jessica is stylish, confident, and flirtatious. Shelly is sophisticated, passionate, and loyal to a fault. And, of course, my sister Annica has been and always will be my number one in life.
