I shove my hands in my pockets and make my way towards my cabin, but as I round the corner, I stop.
“You’re up early,” Ben says.
Shit.
“And why are you wearing the same clothes as last night?” he asks.
Double shit.
“They weren’t dirty, so I figured, why not?” I ask. Then I spin the conversation around. “Why are you up so early?”
“We all crashed out at the brewery last night,” he chuckles. “I’m headed back to the cabin now. Not everyone called it a night early on,” he says.
“Right. Yeah. I’m just…heading to grab coffee before the hangover wagon rushes the coffee shop,” I say.
“Sounds good,” he says. I pat him on the back before we part ways. I let out a sigh of relief that he didn’t ask any more questions. Problematically, I’m now wide awake. Guess I will go grab some coffee.
It’s going to be a long day.
But it was totally worth it.
Chapter 31
Charlotte
“It’s a bachelorette party, Charlotte,”Holly tells me as she holds a glass of sangria out to me. God, I want to take it. I so want to take it. The fruit punch-colored liquid, the crushed ice, the cherries and blackberries floating at the top in a beautiful color contrast. I can smell it from here, and I’ve never felt so deprived in my life. I swear Holly can sense it.
“Come on, Charlotte,” one of the bridesmaids says. “It’s so good.”
“No shit, you’re on your third glass,” Madison says and giggles.
Holly is staring me down. “Seriously, sweetie, no one is going to judge you if you drink on the job. This is the bachelorette party?—”
“Which I am the overseer of,” Madison says.
“And that means that you are not on the clock,” Holly concludes.
“I’m fine with seltzer, I promise,” I insist but they aren’t buying it.
“Well, I’m the bride and I’m not fine with it at all. One sangria. That’s an order,” she says. I bite my lip and take the glass from her. I’ve read that an occasional glass of wine is okay when you’re pregnant or nursing. I’ve never loved the idea of it; I’m a rule follower. To appease the bride, I take a sip, and everyone cheers. Then they go back to dancing around to Olivia Rodrigo, drinking and laughing.
I’m not much of a party girl, so when Holly comes over to where I am sitting and pulls me to my feet, insisting I dance with her, I’m not sure what to do. But when the song switches to Raise Your Glass by P!nk, it’s hard not to join in. Everyone is letting loose like they don’t have a care in the world. It is the carefree thing to do.
It’s also hard not to like Holly. In fact, I really like her. She’s easily one of the coolest girls I’ve ever met. I know why Ben likes her. She’s what he needs.
The song ends, and we all collapse on the chairs and couches together. Everyone is buzzed enough that no one really cares that I never went past that first sip of sangria.
“This is fun,” Holly says with a smile and a sigh as we all catch our breaths. She’s right.
“You know what’s going to be even more fun?” A bridesmaid asks. “When you walk down the aisle tomorrow!” she shouts. Everyone squeals. “You’re getting married!”
“I’m getting married!” Holly shrieks, and everyone follows suit. I smile and reach for an almond off the coffee table. I’ve indulged in more sweets at this wedding than at any other. This one has come with its own special brand of stress, though.
“Are you nervous?” Madison asks.
Holly smiles. “Honestly? No.”
“No cold feet?” I ask, almost surprising myself.
