He exhales a fake sigh of relief. "Whew! I was worried for a second that you had tucked tail and booked it out town."
"Hell no, I made it here through all of this. You aren't getting rid of me ever now," I tell him.
"Good thing. I'd hate to have to come hunt you down," he taunts.
"No, you wouldn't."
"No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't hate it all. I'd be fucking happy to come track your ass down," he agrees, laughing.
"Well. How does it feel knowing you're about to be a married man?" I ask.
"Like it's supposed to. It feels right."
"It does, my love."
"Oh, looks like there's breakfast being brought in. Gotta go. I've got a hot date I can't miss. See you at the altar, beautiful," he says, hanging up the phone and leaving me with a grin on my face that is so wide it hurts.
I set the phone down and stretch my legs before sitting up. I make my way to the small bathroom and start getting myself ready to face the day. Excitement reverberates through my bones as I realize that this day is finally here. I've waited what feels like a lifetime for this moment and I can hardly believe that this dream is about to be a reality.
I slip a hoodie on and pop my head out the door of the RV. Mindy is supposed to be doing my hair and makeup, Nova is taking the professional photos, and Lucy is supplying the nerve-calming remedies. I look around and I don't see anyone outside. Not that I blame them. The brisk temperature makes me shiver as I pull the door closed.
I pick my phone up from by the bed and send out a text to our group chat that we started a few weeks ago. It's the multi-state, multi-club ol' lady chat.
Lilly: Where are y’all at?
A minute goes by before my phone pings.
Mindy: Open the door.
I toss my phone on the bed, narrowly missing Buddy. I whip the door open and they're all standing there.
"Let us in, it's so cold!" Mindy says, pushing past me as she enters the RV.
"Okay, okay. Damn. Let me move first!" I say, moving to the passenger seat of the RV and out of the way of the stairs. The rest of the ol' ladies barrel through the door and they take seatson the couch and at the small table with the bench seats around it. Raven is carrying a tray of something that smells absolutely divine. She sets it on the counter beside the sink and removes the tin foil from the top.
"You didnotmake me homemade beignets for breakfast?!" I squeal and nearly hit my head on the ceiling trying to contain my excitement.
"I did. And even made you the special cinnamon honey syrup to dip them in," Raven says, waving her hand over the small two-ounce cups filled with that sweet amber liquid. I've heard of Raven's beignets before, but I've never had the pleasure of trying them myself. Cass has mentioned them a few times.
She plates a few beignets and sets one of the syrup cups beside them, shoving the plate in my direction. I clap my hands giddily as I take a few steps and remove the plate from her grip.
She continues making plates until everyone has one then she finally fixes herself one.
I dip one into the syrup and take a bite. "Raven!" I say through a mouth full of beignet.
She nods. "I know."
"Oh my God!" Kendra says, eyes wide as she chews the bite she just put in her mouth.
"You've got to bring these to the next party at the clubhouse," Bristol demands.
"Tell Joey it's gonna cost him," Raven jokes.
Mindy is scarfing hers down so quickly, I'm not sure she's even tasted a single bite. Carrie, Lucy, Lawsyn, Nova, and Violet are crammed at the table while Kendra, Bristol, and Raven are seated on the couch. I'm sitting in the passenger seat and Bud dog is lying in the middle of the floor, drooling and waiting for someone to drop a bite.
I swear he acts like he's never had food in his life. I break a small piece of beignet off and toss it to Buddy. He catches it likethe professional he is, earning him some claps and a few 'good boys' from a few of the ol' ladies. He sits proud, waiting for the next bite.
I have a bandana for him to wear today as the ring bearer, and I am so excited to see how handsome he's going to be in it. Good thing I didn't put it on him yet, or it'd be covered in powdered sugar.
