Page 7 of Loved By You

“Ri, you don’t—”

I don’t let her finish. I know where this question is going. “No. God, no.” My tone is firm. “I don't want him back. I don’t miss him, I just don't know how to be just me, you know”? I feel my chest begin to tighten and I instinctively start to rub my hand over it to ease the burning sensation.

“Ri, chill, babes. You are wound tighter than a nun’s cooch.”

A deep belly laugh erupts from me. Ali always knows when I need to laugh and to get out of my head.

“What’s with the nun comments today? Are you planning on joining a convent, and this is your way of telling us?” I eye her suspiciously,

“Pretty sure I’d go up in flames walking into a place like that.” I nod in agreement.

“No, but seriously, we got you. You just need to be you. You look incredible and it's good to see you smiling again. I know it might not feel like it, but this heartbreak saved you Ri. It’s gonna make you. It was never supposed to work with him. He wasn’tyour person,and he didn’t get you. You would’ve just kept trying until he completely broke you. Remember, the egg doesn't swim to the sperm—never chase a man.”

“I know you’re right.” I shake my hands and arms as if the motion will expel any negative thoughts from my body.

Pulling me in for a hug and squeezing me tight, she says,“Ri, this is the beginning of loving yourself again… welcome back.”

The cab drops us outside the main entrance of the club. Stepping out onto the street, the crisp March evening air hits us and I shiver, wishing I brought my jacket.

“Of course she would choose Aurora’s for her bachelorette. Is she aware that not everyone is married to a billionaire?” Ali mutters. “The drinks in here will cost more than my rent.”

“The invite said it was a free bar,” Gabby says, pulling the invitation out of her clutch.

“Fuck, yes. I knew we stayed friends with Nancy for a reason.” Ali claps her hands, a big smile now on her face. “Let's go find my future husband.” Gabby and I look at each other, shaking our heads with a knowing look. We head towards the entrance and show the doormen our invites. He gives us silver bracelets with a charm on that says our names.

“She’s unreal. I bet she wipes her ass with cash after she takes a shit on her gold-plated toilet,” Ali mumbles under her breath as she puts on her bracelet.

“This way please, ladies.” The doorman points us toward a spiral staircase, spotlights guiding us up the dark space to a huge set of double doors at the top.

Inside can only be described as being as opulent as a wedding reception. The floor, walls, and ceiling are white marble. Enormous photos of Nancy and her fiancé, Chris, in various poses and places around the world. There is a six-tiered white cake with a photo of Nancy on the top and in the center of the room is a table that's filled with glasses of champagne. As well aspink and white balloons that cover the ceiling and pop up stands for permanent bracelets, temporary tattoos, a candy station and a photo booth.

“I see ass, ladies. I repeat, I see ass.” Gabby gasps. Our eyes follow her line of sight to reveal deliciously toned, tanned ass cheeks that belong to a Butler in the Buff.

“What in the MTV Super Sweet Sixteen is this?” Ali says, as we all look around the room, trying to process the scene before us.

“I have no idea, but it’s insane,” I declare, my mouth falling open. I've never seen anything like it. My actual wedding wasn't even half as elaborate as this.

“It's incredible,” Gabby whispers, mimicking the same expression as me.

“I'm gonna need to get drunk ASAP to cope with this circus,” Ali states, waving over a butler and taking some cocktails from the silver tray he’s carrying.

The pink, glittery liquid swirls in our glasses as we walk over to the velvet seating area. I can't help but look around and feel a pang of jealousy. As my marriage ends, Nancy`s is about to start. My stomach knots and tears threaten to fall, but I blink them away.

“Maria, Gabriella, Alice.” We turn to see Nancy glide over wearing skyscraper glitter heels and a tiny white strapless dress, her thick blonde hair in big bouncy curls, and wearing the brightest shade of pink lipstick I've ever seen.

“Nancy,” we all cry in unison as we try to sound as excited as she is. She leans in to air kiss each of us, one by one.

“Aaah, my girls. Thank you for coming,” she says, bouncing up and down.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Gabby lies and from the corner of my eye, I watch Ali downing her drink so fast I'm worried I'm going to be carrying her out of here, fireman style, in about twenty minutes.

Turning my attention back to the glowing bride-to-be, I swallow any lingering jealousy. “You look incredible, Nance. Congratulations again. How are you feeling?”

“Oh, thank you,” she practically purrs, flicking her hair and flashing her giant engagement ring, which I am pretty sure could buy every house on my new street.

“It’s just crazy. So much to do, so many things to consider. Well, you know, don't you, Maria? I mean, you’re married,” she says casually, sipping her champagne.

I take a deep breath. She knows I left Alex, but this is typical Nancy, and the real reason I didn't want to come.

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