“Thank you.”
I smile at the young kid as he gets into the driver seat and drives off in my old car. The hotel where the event is being held tonight lives up to its name.
Everything about this hotel is grand, from the gilded fountain to the marble lobby. Everything is ornate right down to the flickering sconces lining the columns of the two-story entryway.
Swinging by the front desk, I get the room key that’s waiting for me and take the elevator to Harper’s room.
When Dax told me the girls invited me to get ready with them for tonight’s big event, I was excited. It’s been awhile since I’ve had any girlfriends other that Erica. With Duncan, it was all about him. I became so swept up in him, that it seems I lost almost all my friends. They moved on with their lives without me.
I can’t blame them. But I don’t want to squander the opportunity to meet new people. Especially people so important to Dax’s friends.
When the elevator opens onto the seventh floor, Ifollow the sign to her room. I know Dax got a room for tonight, so we won’t have to drive home.
I can’t wait tofinallyspend the night with him.
Knocking on the door, it swings open to reveal a smiling blonde woman with her hair in rollers. I’ve never met her before. Having been with Duncan, I never really spent any time with Dax and his teammates. Especially their significant others.
“Hi. You must be Chloe.”
“That’s me. And are you Harper or Stevie?”
“Harper. Stevie’s in the bathroom doing her makeup.” She beckons me in and shuts the door behind me.
A brunette walks out into the hallway in a robe.
“Chloe. Hi.”
“Hi. That must mean you’re Stevie.”
“That’s me. I’m so glad you could come hang out with us today.”
“Me too.”
I drop my bags onto a seat and look around the room. When Dax told me the guys go all out for this, he wasn’t kidding. A couch sits on one side of the living room with a small kitchenette making up the other side. Music plays through the TV—one of Genevieve’s hits—and large floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the Nashville skyline. A door tucked in the back of the room leads to what I’m guessing is the bedroom.
“I really appreciate you two inviting me over to get ready with you.”
Harper walks into the kitchen and grabs a bucket with a chilling bottle of champagne. “It’s nice that Dax finally has someone to bring around. I worry about him.”
“You do?” I ask, taking the proffered glass of bubbly.
“All the guys do. They were worried he’d never find someone because he was hung up on you,” Harper says.
“Hung up on me?”
“Crap. Did you not know?” Harper casts a worried look Stevie’s way. “I mean, that’s what Marcus said and he was a mess at your…well, your non-wedding day now.”
“I guess I was always too wrapped up in Duncan to see what was right in front of my face.”
“We’ve all been taken by someone that’s not good for us. I know I have,” Stevie says. “And you two are together now. That’s all that matters.”
“Don’t I know it.” I shake my head, sipping on my drink. “And you’re not the first person to point out Dax’s feelings toward me.”
“I think you got the better end of that deal,” Harper says. “Marcus told me what happened and I still can’t believe it. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that.”
I wave them off. “It’s in the past now. I don’t want to talk abouthimtonight. Tonight is all about the gala and our men.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Stevie raises her glass. “To new and old friends.”
