Page 107 of The Best Friend Power Play

"Three times at home, once on the way over, and now again, so yes, five times in total."

"Well, get ready for number six because you. Look. Incredible."

I give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you. You don't scrub up so badly yourself."

I've come as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, and since we wanted to give everyone something juicy to gossip about—I've heard Doyle is taking bets at his store on when Culver will pop the big question after our makeout session in the gazebo, but the joke's on them since we're already married, ha!—Culver didn't come as the obvious choice, Mr. Darcy, but as Mr. Wickham instead. I bet that will set tongues wagging.

We step inside, and Fraser has gone all out. There's a jazz band playing in one corner, waitstaff decked out in sharply pressed black-and-white uniforms, and it looks like half of Comfort Bay is here.

"Ooh, I see my friends." I wave to the girls.

"And there's Milo," Culver says, tipping his head toward his teammate, who is standing by himself and looking all broody in the corner. "I'll catch up with you later?"

"Of course."

"Two things before you go. One." He pulls me in for a quick kiss. "And two…" There's a decisive tone in his voice. "Please don't drink too much without me."

"I won't. I'll have one drink with the girls, and that's it until we're back together."

"Good."

Yes, he's being a little bossy, but we've discussed this. I don't want to drink without him keeping an eye on me. We both know how much of a lightweight I am, and since he is the one who's going to have to deal with me in whatever state I get myself into, he's allowed to be.

Besides, it's not a bad kind of bossy. It's a thoughtful, concerned kind of bossy. The kind of bossy that makes a girl feel loved and safe and that, for once in my life, someone is looking out for me.

Plus, he gets this low possessive rasp in his voice, and…I really like it.

I watch as he slowly shuffles off, which has everything to do with my concern for his safety and nothing at all to do with wanting to check out his impressive backside.

I dash across the ballroom to where Evie, Beth, Summer, and Amiel are gathered.

Everyone looks amazing.

Well, except for Evie.

Not that she doesn't look great, but she's the only one not in a costume. Which is weird considering it's her boyfriend's party, after all.

"It's so great to see you all," I say, hugging them one by one.

Apart from occasional brief catch-ups with Beth and Amiel since we work on the same street, I haven't seen much of the girls this summer.

Evie has been wrapped up in refurbishing the stadium and establishing two junior hockey teams.

And Summer's been busy with work in LA. When she makes it up here on the weekends, she relieves her sister in caring for their dad so that she can have a break.

I worry about her, though. When does she ever get a break? She's working too hard, and I would know it's what I used to do. Fulfill obligations, look after everyone else, put others' needs ahead of your own.

Yes, sometimes that's what needs to be done, and as women, we tend to be the ones to shoulder the brunt of that responsibility, but this summer has taught me that being a little selfish can be a good thing, too.

Now that I've had some me-time, I feel more energized than ever. I've even started a ME spreadsheet—some things will never change—listing ideas for things I'd like to do in the future.

The five of us talk a million miles an hour as we excitedly catch up on everything that's been happening. Summer flags down a waiter, and we all grab ourselves a drink.

Amiel notices. "Ooh, you're drinking?"

"Hot girl summer," I tell her, and we clink glasses.

The conversation turns to the party and why Fraser is even throwing it in the first place.

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