“I feel like I’m in some alternate reality or some shit.”
“Alternate reality? Nah, that’s just too much History Channel on your part, that’s whatthatis. Now go get your shit together, and I’ll meet you in the hallway in thirty.”
Max watches me, smirking. I know he’s gonna say something to try to piss me off. I see it coming.
“What if this doesn’t work?” he asks.
“Fuck you.”
“No,” he says, grinning. “What if this whole thing plays out and it doesn’t go your way?”
“Did you forget who you’re talking to, asshole? Everything goes my way.”
Jada
The white robe is ridiculously soft against my skin. It smells vaguely like lavender and feels like a cloud wrapped around me. I cinch it around my waist, my body humming in a state of total relaxation.
The massage therapist, a one-hundred-and-twenty percent gay man, had the hands of an angel. My body is purring, and I’m glad I ended up coming with Kari after all.
My sister comes into the room, a white robe like mine clothing her body, her dark hair in a messy knot.
“That was the best massage I’ve ever had,” she purrs dreamily. “I could just lie down and fall asleep and wake up a month from now.”
“Let’s do that,” I say. “I bet the guys are out golfing or something. Let’s just go back to the room now and sleep.”
For a moment, her eyes go wide. “No. I … Um ...”
The door opens, and Shera comes in. She’s a pretty blonde, probably our age, and has a notebook in her hand. “I hope you liked your massage, ladies.” Shera smiles. “Can we get you anything else today?”
“No, I think that’s it.” I smile. “I’m ready for a nap.”
She laughs. “Everyone says that.” She runs her finger down the notebook in front of her, scanning the pages. “What brings you ladies to Vegas? Do you live here or are you visiting?”
“Visiting,” Kari says. “We leave tomorrow evening. My sister is getting married soon, so we have some planning to do.”
“You’re engaged?” Shera’s eyes light up, and she drops the notebook to her side. “I’m such a romantic. Ah. What do you have in mind for your wedding day? Are you doing something big and beautiful or small and intimate?”
“I have no idea. Pink flowers. That’s all I got.”
Her jaw drops. “That’s it? No hair? No makeup? No dress?”
“She found a dress.Finally,” Kari says sarcastically. “I can’t believe she’s my sister. The girl has no vision. None.”
The notebook is back in front of Shera’s face, the pages turning. “If you girls don’t have anything to do today, my favorite stylist in our wedding department is available for the next couple of hours. We could play around and give you some ideas. It would be fun.”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to—”
“Yes. Yes, she does.” Kari squeals. “Can we do that?”
“Kari ...”
“Cane said to keep you happy.”
“This makesyouhappy.”
She rolls her eyes. “It’ll make you happy, too, getting all fussed over. Come on, Jada.Please.” She bats her eyelashes at me and I laugh.
“Are you sure, Shera?”
