Throttled(13)

“Am not,” I said, my cheeks heating as I glared at her.

“Suzy,” Izzy interrupted, “you’re with us, your girls. You can drop the good girl bullshit. We know you’re a closet freak. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be with my brother.” Izzy laughed.

A knock on the door saved me from the conversation. One by one Izzy and Sophia’s friends and mine from work poured into the door. My sister wouldn’t be here tonight. She said that she couldn’t get off work to be here in time for the bachelorette party. She’d make it for the rehearsal dinner. The girls in this room were more like family to me than my own flesh and blood anyway.

I stood at the window, watching the sun kiss the horizon as I sipped my drink. I felt blessed, surrounded by loving women, marrying the man of my dreams, and officially becoming a member of the Gallo family. The ladies chatted and drank, their laughter filling the room.

“Hey, you okay?” Sophia asked, standing at my side.

“I’m just so happy, Soph. I never thought I could be this happy.” I turned to her, a sad smile on my face.

“What’s the sad face for?” Her eyebrows drew together as she looked at me.

“I’m not sad. I’m just thinking about what City and I have been through. I almost shut him out of my life by judging him. I would’ve never known the love I do now. Then the accident happened and he was almost ripped from my life forever.” I shook my head trying to force the sad memories from my mind. “I’m so happy right now…happier than I’ve ever been before. Is this as good as it gets?” I asked, grabbing her hand and squeezing.

“Nah, there’s more good things to come.” She smiled, squeezing my hand. “Wait until you hold your first born in your arms. There’s nothing like it.” She smiled, releasing my hand. “I’m proud of you.”

My eyebrows shot up at her words. “For what?”

She giggled, covering her mouth. “For staying with City. I know he scared the hell out of you. I know how OCD you are with your lists–even that fucking list of your husband requirements. You threw them out the window and took a chance for once. You listened to your heart and not your head. When I met him, I knew he was right for you.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Now, let’s stop talking sad shit and party our asses off. I have a night without Jet and Kayden. I want to get drunk and enjoy a night without baby food on my clothes.”

I chuckled and squeezed her. “I love you, Sophia. For you, I’ll party like it’s 1999.”

“God, you’re such a dork.” She said as she laughed, holding me by the arms, shaking her head. “But I love you. I don’t know why, but I do.”

“Bitches, I better see you two drinking a little quicker,” Izzy said as she grabbed my glass and looked inside. “Let me refill this. Sophia, want more?”

Sophia held her cup out, shaking it. “Feels a bit light to me. Another Jack and Coke please.” She handed the cup to Izzy.

“And I’ll–” I started to say as she started to walk away.

“Got it, light on the alcohol,” Izzy yelled over her shoulder.

“Gifts! Let’s do gifts,” Sophia said, pulling on my arm.

I loved presents. It’s not that I was materialistic; I just never had the type of family where the gifts were piled higher than me. I always received a couple small gifts for my birthday or Christmas. My family decided to draw names for Christmas that year. Just when I thought it couldn’t be more depressing, bam, wrong again.

“Okay,” I said, nodding, trying to hide my excitement.

Sophia clapped, drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s time for presents!” she yelled, pulling me toward the couch.

I sat down on the large U-shaped sectional in the middle of the living room that faced the windows. Everyone fit snuggly on the couch as I opened each gift one by one. I felt slightly uncomfortable being the center of attention. I liked to blend in to the background, but I knew the entire weekend would be filled with uncomfortable moments. I was the bride and as such, I’d definitely be the center of attention.

“Open mine next,” Sophia said, holding out a pretty pink box with a giant white bow. I opened six presents so far and they’d all been lingerie and nighties to wear for City. He’d love them, but I knew most likely one or two would get ripped. The man was a brut.

Pulling it from her grasp, I smiled nervously, unsure of what was inside. With Sophia, it could be romantic to downright dirty. “I don’t trust you,” I said, placing the box on my lap and pulling on the ribbon.