I stared at the messages before typing back.
Jess:
I’m alive.
The responses came immediately.
Charli:
Thank god. I’ve never seen you so drunk.
Kat:
Like I said, it was impressive.
I groaned.
Jess:
Not impressive. Regretting all my life choices.
Charli:
At least you didn’t cry. I always cry when Idrink too much.
Small miracle.
The typing bubble appeared before I could respond.
Kat:
No crying. Just dancing.
Harper:
And flirting.
Kat:
Aggressive flirting.
Harper:
Good thing Preston is such a good sport.
I groaned and dropped the phone back onto the bed.
Perfect.
After a quick shower, which at least helped me feel more human, even if it did nothing for the pounding in my head or the gurgling in my stomach, I dressed for the hike I’d stupidly agreed to before thinking about the consequences of hiking the morning after a big night out.
I tugged on my leggings, boots, and a T-shirt, pulling my hair into some semblance of a knot before shoving a hat and sunglasses on. With any luck, I’d be able to appear like a somewhat normal version of myself. The version of me that didn’t dance with another man on the night of my bachelorette party, or wish, even for a split second, that things were different.
The trailhead was already busy when I arrived. Cars filled the gravel parking lot.
The air smelled like damp earth and pine. I took a moment to inhale deeply and let the fresh air attempt to clear the fogginess from my head before I joined the rest of the group.
Their voices floated toward me across the lot, and when I turned, I spotted Preston immediately.
