Sophia was my best friend. She was my opposite though, living life a little more carefree, taking chances, and was a little too much like Izzy for my liking. She may be a librarian, but the girl partied like a rock star. Fuck.
“What’s wrong, Suzy?” Sophia asked, touching my arm.
“You two,” I said, shaking my head.
Sophia’s lips parted as she laid her hand against her chest. “What did we do?” Her innocent act wasn’t convincing. Motherhood had softened her a little. She had more weight on her body and looked healthy. The happiness that had now filled her life was clearly evident when looking at her.
“I don’t trust you and Izzy individually, and I sure as hell don’t trust you together.” I glared at her, watching a small smile creep across her face. My stomach filled with knots. The two of them didn’t follow any of the normal rules, let alone mine.
“Suzy, would I do anything to upset you?” Her brown eyes twinkled as a large smile spread across her face. Crossing her arms, she tilted her head and waited.
I studied the look on her face. “Yes, yes you would. Just the girls tonight right?” I asked, watching her reaction very closely.
She nodded, her brown hair bobbing against her breasts that peeked out from her V-neck dress. “I only invited the girls. I swear.”
The knot in my stomach loosed a bit with her statement. “I just don’t want there to be any trouble tonight.”
“Oh, there won’t be.” She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me, drawing me against her body. “I’m so happy for you, Suzy. Do you think I would do anything bad and have to deal with Kayden’s bullshit?”
“No,” I whispered as I hugged her.
Kayden was her man and the father of her son, Jett. Their love was complicated. The road they traveled to happiness had been filled with bumps, but they made it through and never looked back. Kayden was a man I could rely on, a friend that would lay down his life for me. Sophia had told me that he could be ‘wicked jealous.’ Her words for him, not mine.
“Okay then, let’s grab a drink. The girls are all about to arrive.” She held me at arm’s length, smiling and squeezing my hands. “We’re here to celebrate before you become Mrs. Joseph Gallo.”
“I don’t want to drink too much, Sophia,” I mumbled as we walked toward the already prepped bar area.
Izzy was pouring herself a hefty glass of Jack Daniel’s as we approached. “What’ll it be, ladies?” she asked as she set the bottle on the counter.
“Just a glass of wine,” I said, looking at the dozens of bottles on display.
“No wine tonight, Suzy. Pick your poison.” Izzy smiled, waving her hands over the liquor.
“Bahama Mama,” I winced, my stomach rolling at the thought of getting drunk. “Light on the liquor though.”
“Honey, it’s your bachelorette party and if you don’t get shit faced drunk and party your ass off then I haven’t done my job as a bridesmaid.” She smiled as she started pouring the rum in the glass.
I watched, my eyes growing wide as she poured and poured. “That’s enough, Izzy,” I said, placing my hand on her arm. “I want to make it until at least ten.”
She burst into laughter as she set the rum down. “We’ll get ya there. We have the whole night planned out. It’s going to be one for the record books. When we’re old and pissing our pants with dentures in our mouths, we’ll be telling stories about tonight.” She smiled, pouring the juices and rum in the cup before handing it to me.
I shook my head and grabbed the Bahama Mama from her hand. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered as I brought the glass to my lips. The rum didn’t smell overpowering; maybe I misjudged the amount of alcohol she poured.
The fruity concoction of pineapple and orange danced across my tongue as the liquid slid down my throat causing a slow burn. I closed my eyes, enjoying the taste, although it was a bit stronger than I wanted.
Izzy tipped my cup. “Drink up, girl. We have a big night ahead of us.”
I batted her hand away, pulling the cup from my lips. “Last time I drank too much I ended up in your brother’s bed.” I smiled, my body warming at the memory.
If I hadn’t been tipsy that night, I would’ve been a total mess the first time I saw him naked. The man had a kickass body and don’t even get me started on his piercing. If I had been stone cold sober, I probably would’ve run out of the room screaming once that caught my eye. Even to this day, I get a thrill looking at him naked.
“You’re a dirty whore and we all know it.” Sophia nudged me, cackling like a loon.