“It’s only one night.” She laughs, the words muffled, seeing as she’s burrowed into my chest as I squeeze her in as tight of a bear hug as possible.
“I know. But I don’t wanna.” And that’s the damn truth. I’m determined not to let my anxiety get the best of me tomorrow, but that would be so much easier if I could fall asleep and wake up with Kat by my side.
Her arms tighten around me. “Trust me, I’m wondering why we thought this was a good idea right now, too.”
“Break it up, break it up. Our girl needs her beauty sleep, and she certainly won’t get it if she goes home with you.”
I narrow my eyes at Lily. “You might be her best friend, but I’m gonna be her husband. Doesn’t that mean I can overrule you?”
Kat slaps at my chest, and I look down at her with an exaggerated pout.
“Stop it, you two. Best friend and husband are on different levels.” Her eyes are dancing as she steps back. “And she’s right. We definitely wouldn’t be sleeping.” The wink she gives this time is more obvious an earns a chorus of groans from her brothers.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Hunter Callaghan.”
“I’ll be waiting, Kat soon-to-be Callaghan. Look for the most handsome guy in the room.”
“Look for the girl in the white dress.”
“Trust me. My eyes won’t be looking anywhere else but at you.”
Chapter nine
Kat
The first thing I see when my eyes slowly blink open is my best friend staring back at me with the most idiotic grin on her face.
“Too close,” I mumble, squeezing my eyes shut again. But I stupidly underestimate Lily’s tenacity sometimes.
“Nope.”
That one word is the only warning I get before the bed moves, and the blankets are ripped off me.
“Get up, get up, get up! It’s your wedding day!”
I roll over onto my side with a groan, drawing my knees up to my chest. “Doesn’t that mean I should get to decide when I wake up?” Lifting my head, I blearily gaze at the clock before glaring at Lily. “And I’m deciding 8 am is too freaking early.” My head falls back to the pillow.
Yet, despite my outward grumbling, inside I’m squealing with excitement.
I get to marry Hunter today.
That alone drags me out of the very comfortable hotel room bed, accepting the peppermint tea Lily hands me as I sit on the edge of the mattress. I’m grateful we chose to stay at the Devereaux Hotel in Westport last night, partly because it gave us a fun girls night with manicures and pedicures. With the farm being halfway between Westport and Dogwood Cove, this was the perfect place to stay last night — and tonight after the party.
“Alright, Sleeping Beauty. We’ve got your mom and the girls showing up in half an hour so we can start getting ready. The hair stylist will be here at nine; we want to be ready by one o’clock so we can meet your brothers downstairs for the surprise photos. Then we head to the farm for the ceremony at two, followed by more photos, then the reception at four.”
I arch my brow at her, blowing across the steam wafting from my mug. “I’m aware of the schedule for my wedding day, thanks.”
Lily just huffs, her hands on her hips. “Listen lady, as your maid of honour, it’s my duty to keep things running smoothly and peacefully today. And that means we all have to know exactly what’s happening and when. So excuse me if I want to review the schedule before we get started.”
I stand up and take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “Sorry, Lil. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I’m annoyed with you at all. You’re the very best maid of honour out there.”
She looks somewhat mollified when she says, “Damn straight, I am. And you’ll be singing my praises tonight when you and Hunter get back to the bridal suite.”
“Oh my God. What did you do?”
Lily simply gives an enigmatic smile that reveals nothing, but knowing her, Hunter and I are in for a surprise tonight.
“Let’s just say, I hope you take notes for when it’s your turn to be the very best maid of honour.”
