Christmas Candy(45)

I craned my neck around so I could look up at her. She was tall with long blonde hair and deep brown eyes, and currently naked.

I rolled my eyes. “There are robes, Daisy. How about you try one?”

She put her hands on her hips. “If you got it, flaunt it.”

“Whatever.” I arched an eyebrow. “What fun are you talking about?” I’d specified over and over that I wanted no crazy bachelorette party. But Daisy was something of a wild card—one of the main reasons we’d become fast friends in law school.

“You’ll see. Come on. Let’s go.” She pranced out of the room.

I groaned and sat up. Wedding planning had taken a toll on me, but the massage had gone a long way to ease my tension. Well, the massage and my time with Michael earlier in the day. Just remembering the way he watched me ride him had my cheeks warming.

Dressing in my street clothes, I slipped on my sandals and left the soothing room. My bridesmaids were lined up outside, with Daisy at the head of the procession.

“Let’s hit the road, get some real food—not cucumber water—and see what else we have in store for our favorite bride to be.” Daisy grinned and took off at a brisk march, the other girls following.

“Really?” I grumbled under my breath but followed all the same.

Evelyn and Aunt Carrie waited in the lobby area, laughing at the parade of girls heading out to the limo.

Evelyn gave me a hug that took my breath away. “You have fun tonight. Last night of freedom and all. Though I know for a fact my son can’t wait to make an honest woman out of you.”

Aunt Carrie was next, giving me an even bigger hug than I thought possible. “I’m so proud of you.”

I beamed, though tears began to swim in my vision.

“Your mom is, well she’ll always be your mom, but I want you to know Evelyn and I are here for you. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you right now with your mom being…”

“Uninterested in everything I do?” I filled in. My mom only had one consideration in her mind. Herself. I’d known this since I was a child. I used to hold it against her, but after a while, I only felt sorry for her. Aunt Carrie was my father’s sister. He’d passed when I was very young, and Aunt Carrie had become my main cheerleader, encouraging me all the way through college and law school.

“I’m sorry.” Aunt Carrie frowned. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad juju. I just want you to know we’re here for you. Whatever you need.”

I hugged her and Evelyn again. “No bad juju. Only happy times. You are my family. Just like Michael is my family.”

“I’m so glad to hear you say that, sugar.” Evelyn kissed me on the cheek.

Daisy opened the front door of the spa. “Come on, bride, we need to hit the road.”

“Love you.” I squeezed Evelyn’s and Aunt Carrie’s hands. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I followed Daisy out into the mild air as Evelyn and Aunt Carrie hugged it out with each other. They were so cute.

“Now that we’re rid of the chaperones, it’s time for the real fun.” Daisy shoved me police-style into the back of the limo.

I laughed and joked with my bridesmaids as we drove into the heart of the city. After an over the top meal at a restaurant we couldn’t have afforded without Michael’s AmEx, the girls hustled me back into the limo and blindfolded me. The smooth fabric against my eyelids blocked out everything but the smallest sliver of light along the bottom.

“Start the party!” Daisy cranked up the music, the bass thumping in my chest and I heard the sound of corks popping.

Before long a glass was shoved into my hand.

“Drink, bitch.” The girls clinked their glasses with mine. When I tried to sip it, someone lifted my glass up so I drained it all in one go.

“Another for the bride.” Someone steadied my hand as my glass grew heavier and again I drank it all down.

I reached to try and peel my blindfold off.

“No!” Daisy smacked my hand. “Here, I got you a crown, too. Bend over.”

Someone snorted. “She’ll be hearing that a lot for the next week.”

Howls of laughter filled the limo and I couldn’t help but smile. These were my girls, as rowdy and silly as they were. We drank and acted fools the rest of the way to wherever we were going. The limo slowed to a halt and someone opened the door to my right.

The car began rocking as my bridesmaids exited. Then someone took my hand and pulled me out.

“The sash!” Someone said.

“Right. I’ve got it.” Daisy draped something over me and then took my hand again. All I could hear was my girls, traffic sounds, and music with another deep beat.