My long, brown hair is in large waves, and even though I did my own makeup, Jenna nods in approval.
"Thank you." I blush. "This is Bea and Harley," I say, gesturing toward the two people standing beside me, waiting patiently for their introduction.
"It’s so nice to meet you both." Jenna smiles, taking them in, one by one, for a hug, and I notice her hug with Harley lasts a little longer than her hug with Bea.
Knowing my best friend, it’s absolutely intentional.
"This place looks incredible," Bea says as her eyes float around the room.
"We can thank our girl here for pulling it all off." Jenna nudges me, and I wave my hand as if to tell her to stop making a fuss.
I’ve been doing this job for so long, but I still get jittery when people brag about me and the work that I do. It’s a nice feeling, though, I’m just not used to compliments.
"There's an open bar. Go grab a drink," she tells them, and they don’t waste any time.
"Now, C. Tell meeverything."
Giving her an overview, I skim past a few details because it’s her birthday, and the last thing she needs is to hear about my sex dream. I do tell her about our near miss in his office this morning, though, and the minx hasn’t been able to hide her devilish grin the entire time.
"Girl, how have you not hit that yet? You better do it soon, or someone else will."
I hate that she’s right. The idea of Harley with anybody but me…it’s not something I want to think about.
The music is so loud, and the vibe is immaculate. The dance floor hasn’t been empty the whole night.
Everyone has a drink in their hands at all times, and it’s now time for speeches before the cake.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate our girl, Jenna," I begin, because what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t make a speech at her party?
"Jenna and I met when I was in college. I saw an ad for a roommate in the local diner, and gave the number a call," I say. I make jokes about how she could’ve been a serial killer or a creepy old guy who wanted rent money for drugs, and the whole crowd laughs before I reach over to grab her hand and continue my speech.
"She’s the strongest, most passionate person I know, who would do anything for the people she loves. I remember in college, I got invited to a frat party, so the two of us went together without our then-boyfriends," I say with a shudder, but continue immediately.
"There was a guy who kept trying to get me to go up to his room, but I wasn’t interested at all. Jenna caught sight of it in the corner of her eye, marched over to the guy, kicked him in the balls and said, 'no means no, asshole!' before grabbing my hand, leaving the frat guy curled up in a fetal position, crying on the ground." The entire crowd laughed and cheered, while I smiled and squeezed her hand as it stayed locked with mine.
"You’ve always been the biggest light in my life, Jen, and I’m so glad you never let anyone put out that spark. Nothing was handed to you on a silver platter. You’ve worked so hard for everything that you have in your life, and I had the privilege of being able to witness it first hand. I couldn’t be prouder to call you my best friend and my soulmate." I look over at her andwatch as she folds a napkin in half, using the corners to dry her eyes.
"So, on that note, I would like everyone to raise their glass."
With about seventy drinks raised in the air, I scan the room, smiling, until my stomach drops and my eyes lock onto a pair of royal blue eyes, staring back at me.
Shit.
"To Jenna,” I finish, the crowd repeating the words back to me, clinking their glasses together.
"I’m going to get some fresh air," I whisper in Jenna’s ear as I take her in for a tight hug.
None the wiser, she nods at me, thanking me for my speech, and I head for the staircase, with Austin Anderson hot on my heels.
twenty-one
Harley
The Velvetine is fuckingfancy.
A lot fancier than most of the places back in Grangewood, but I think Wingrove Estates beats it—only just. I’m probably biased, though. According to Cassandra, this is the ‘it’ place for these types of events, and her friend Jenna ‘deserves the best’.
I’m having a good time tonight.
