“My dream was to fall hopelessly in love and live happily ever after, like mom and dad.” She sighs. “And to become this city’s best weather girl.”
I laugh at that. Imogen just started studying journalism at college, but her dream is to be a weather girl. Not sure why. She’s a fantastic writer but she’s young. I’m sure her dreams will change with time.
“I can’t wait until I can tell everyone I have a famous sister.”
“Thanks.” She beams at me. “I need to dine and dash. I have to be up early for class. You got this?” she asks as she stands.
“When have I ever notgot this?”
“First time for everything, Sammie J. Thanks for dinner. Love you.” She leans down and kisses my cheek and then, like a flash, she’s gone.
Pulling out my wallet, I leave a few bills on the table and make my way to the door. I need to get over to Wild Card anyway. Someone has to make an appearance and walk the floor, make the high-rollers feel like they’re part of the family. The more welcomed they feel, the more money they spend.
Chapter Two
When you’re in charge of your best friend’s bachelorette party, you don’t hold back. Which is exactly how I ended up in Vegas this weekend. Will I remember much of what I’m about to do? Probably not. Am I going to be nursing a hangover of all hangovers for the next week? Absolutely. Am I still going to drink my body weight in alcoholand give my best friend the send-off into married life she deserves?Abso-fucking-lutley.
Alice has been my best friend since we were in kindergarten. We have done everything together, from getting our periods in the same week when we were thirteen, to losing our virginities in the same week at fifteen. Neither was planned, but the universe has a way of always making us experience milestones together.
Except for this one. I’m more than happy to be on the sidelines while Alice experiences this milestone. Getting married isn’t on my radar. Then again, neither is having a steady boyfriend. Unlike Alice, who has been sickeningly in love with her fiancé Brandon since we were seventeen.
I’m happy for her. This is what she wants out of life. It’s her dream. Mine is to stay single and live life to the fullest. We might be best friends, but Alice and I couldn’t be more different personality-wise. Where she’s quiet and reserved, I’m loud and don’t have a problem being the center of attention in any room I enter. But somehow, we work as best friends and there’s no one in this world I love more than her.
As Alice’s maid of honor, it was my responsibility to plan the bachelorette weekend. And when Alice gave me the slightest hint that she wanted a wild weekend in Vegas, I ran with it. Okay, it might have been moremehinting and her smiling and politely saying:I will love whatever you have planned.Because that’s Alice. The girl’s a people-pleaser through and through. I wanted her to have a weekend she’ll either never remember or never forget. Which is why I pulled out all the stops.
Friday night, we went to the Thunder from Downunder show, then bar hopped our way halfway down The Strip. Saturday was a pamper day, recovering from the previous night of drinking before following it up with another night of dancing and, of course, more drinking. There are blisters on top ofblisters on my feet from my heels, but that’s not stopping me now. We’re on the last stretch of the weekend. It’s Sunday night.
The rest of the girls went home this morning. I may have told everyone we were leaving too. I’m selfish and I wanted a night with Alice to myself, and a night for her to really let loose without her sisters or future sisters-in-law judging her. Which is how she’s currently sitting across from me at a tiny bar-top, wearing a white bodycon dress and a veil in her hair with a pink-and-white sash that saysbrideon it in rhinestones.
“You are going to make the mostbeautifulestbride this world has ever seen, Miss Alice,” I tell her.
“First,beautifulestisn’t a word, Poppy. And second, thank you.” Alice beams at me.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me.” I pout.
“Where am I going?”
“This is our last night together, before you’re gone.”
“Again, where is it that you think I’m going, Poppy?” Alice keeps her voice soft. Her hand reaches out to mine.
I may be a little more than drunk at the moment. “You’re getting married and leaving me to live with your husband, and you’re going to have babies. Cute babies, but they’re gonna suck the life right out of ya. But, I guess, theywillbe cute,” I tell her.
Alice laughs. “I already live with Brandon. Nothing is going to change. I’m also not planning to get knocked up anytime soon.”
“Yeah, but that’s what married people do, Alice. They have kids.” I shrug. “Okay, here. I have something for you.” I hand her the gift bag she’s been eyeing all night. I’ve waited to give it to her because I know it drives her nuts knowing it’s for her andnot knowingwhat’s inside it.
“Is this suitable to open in public?” Alice asks.
“Yes.” I laugh and wait for her to take out the first item.
Alice carefully unwraps it, making sure she doesn’t rip the paper.
I roll my eyes. “Just tear into it.”
“It’s too pretty. I want to keep the paper,” she says. When she finally gets the gift open, she looks up at me with a smile plastered on her face.
“That’s so you don’t forget me,” I tell her.
