The main lodge exudes rustic elegance with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and crystal chandeliers. A pyramid of windows showcases the majestic snowy cliffs of Yosemite.
“See why we had to have the wedding here.”
“Yes, I want to live here.” I really wish I had booked another night, especially after that sketchy drive.
Jane checks in at the front desk as I continue to admire the view. We’re sharing a villa tonight with a bunch of Jane’s girlfriends for a bachelorette party. Liam came up yesterday for the bachelor “party.” He and Charlie and some of their friends are going on a long hike. To each their own. I prefer our plans for the spa and dinner.
***
When we enter the cabin, a crowdof women cheer and surround Jane in what soon morphs into a giant group hug. I know several in the group. There’s Lydia and Cat from Bennet parties, plus Caroline, Charlie’s sister. She cooly surveys the raucous group hug from a bar stool, looking pristine in her leather leggings and an oversized creamy mohair sweater. It should go without saying that her hair and makeup are immaculate. I completely forgot that Caroline would be here. But of course, she’s here. I give her a friendly wave as I disentangle myself from the group. She hops off the stool and greets me with a slightly awkward embrace.
“Lettie! I’m glad you’re here. I don’t know anyone—except Jane.”
“And she’s kind of busy,” I say, nodding toward Jane, who looks positively giddy in the middle of the circle.
“Uh-huh.” Caroline looks at me expectantly, and it occurs to me that unlike her brother, who can strike up a friendship with anyone, Caroline flails in conversations with strangers. I take pity on her.
“How’s life?” I ask.
“Utterly awful,” she says, staring straight ahead.
“That good?” I ask.
“I’m so over weddings. So much fuss. Everything’s all about the bride. Why is that? The bride is already happy. She found true love. What about the rest of us?”
A couple of Jane’s college friends enter the villa, and the whole group hug thing starts again. For whatever reason, Caroline has latched on to me as her buddy for today. I can see the pain in her eyes and hear her real hurt in her voice but, also, I’m annoyed with her raining on Jane’s party.
“At least Jane’s not a bridezilla,” I suggest. “And you must admit she adores your brother.”
“Jane is fine. Sure.” She shrugs her pretty shoulders. “But this harebrained white Christmas wedding is such a pain and incredibly thoughtless. Darcy offered to host the wedding at his home, you know. That would have been so much easier than everyone schlepping out here only to drive back tomorrow.”
Caroline is not wrong. It would have been simple if the wedding were in Sacramento. Still, I bristle at her criticizing Jane. I think of my friend’s delighted face as it started snowing on our drive. Caroline’s sour mood kills my festive vibe. And I can’t let her bring down the rest of the party. I take a few steps back from the main group, settling in a chair by the crackling fire. Caroline follows, sitting on the sofa across from me.
“This place is amazing.” I point to the two-story window, providing a view of the snow steadily falling. “I tried to book a room for tomorrow night, but they’re all booked.”
“I got the last room,” Caroline says with her first real smile.
“Lucky you.”
“I’m thinking of asking Darcy if he wants to stay with me.” She studies my face for a reaction like a cat watching a mouse. I remain cool and calm. I have no idea what Caroline’s game is, but I’m positive Liam will not be joining her in a hotel room tomorrow night. I’m itching to tell him about her comment. We’ve been texting more lately. I texted him as soon as my plane landed this morning. He would have picked me up at the airport, except he and Charlie drove up here yesterday to start their bachelor party hike this morning. But he sent me a selfie of him snowshoeing, then shared his location with me and asked me to share mine, which is a very couple-y thing to do. This is why Caroline’s insinuations bounce right off me. In fact, I feel just a little devious.
“Really? So are you two an item now?”
“No... I wish! But I do think Liam’s warming up to me. He’s been so much cheerier lately.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, Charlie says he’s in love. But how’s that even possible? According to Anne Darcy, he never dates. My theory is that he’s finally recovering from the loss of his dad and is ready to date again.”
“Sounds like you’ve got things all figured out.” I’m trying so hard not to laugh, which is a little rude, but also, Caroline kind of deserves it.
Lydia sashays over and hands me a tumbler of mulled wine garnished with orange peel and cinnamon stick. “I thought you might need a drink.”
“Thanks, Lydia, how did you know?” I say as Caroline eyes my drink. “Wait, Lydia, can you get me another?”
“No problem, I’ll be right back.”
I offer my drink to Caroline.
