“I do. Trust me, I do.” He presses his forehead to mine. His hands are shaking slightly where they rest on my hips and I feel his fingers dig in slightly. “But not like this. Not when you have to leave soon. Not when—” He takes a breath. “You deserve better than a rushed morning before your sister’s wedding.”
“You’re serious.”
“Completely serious.”
He kisses me softly and I can feel the restraint in it.
“But tonight. After the wedding. After we steal champagne and use that enormous tub. Tonight I’m going to do this right.”
We sit there for another moment. Both catching our breath. Then he reaches over and pulls out a folded piece of hotel stationery.
“I have something for you.”
“Another note?”
He puts it in my hand. “Read it when you need it most. When you’re stressed or overwhelmed.”
I look at the folded paper. “What does it say?”
“Read it later. You’ll know when.”
I tuck it into my makeup bag carefully. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kisses my forehead. “Now go. Before I change my mind about being noble.”
The bridal suiteis on the hotel’s top floor. When I arrive the door is already open and music is spilling into the hallway.
Inside is chaos.
Flowers everywhere. White roses, pink peonies, the smell so thick and sweet it’s almost overwhelming. Someone’s speaker playing pop music. Champagne bottles are sweating in ice buckets. A clothing rack with garment bags is waiting in a corner. Hair tools and makeup scattered across every surface.
Olivia’s in the center wearing a white silk robe, champagne in hand, hair in curlers. She spots me and squeals.
“Jules! Finally!” She pulls me into a hug and champagne sloshes in her glass.
My mom appears with champagne and presses the glass into my hand. “Here. Drink.”
I take it. The bubbles fizz against my tongue, cold and crisp.
That’s when I see Melissa. Sitting in the corner by the window in a white silk robe, scrolling her phone. She looks up when I enter and smiles.
Of course she’s here.
“Jules!” Emma waves me over to the chairs near the mirror. “Come sit. We’re starting on hair soon.”
I settle in and someone hands me a mimosa even though I’m still holding champagne. The bridesmaids are taking selfies. Our aunt is fussing over something.
My phone buzzes.
Rodriguez
Made it?
Yes. Chaos.
Rodriguez
Good chaos?
