Page 52 of My Rules

xox

“Ahhhhhh.” We all swoon.

“Who could ever have imagined that Henley James would end up being so perfect?” Chloe smiles dreamily.

“I did.” Juliet beams with happiness. “I knew all along that he had it in him.” She carries her roses into the kitchen. “He’s going to be the best husband that ever lived. Better put these in some water.”

Chloe and I walk into the kitchen, and while she sits down on the stool, I get to making us a cup of coffee.

Juliet dials a number and holds her phone with her chin as she fills the vase with water. “Hello, Mr. James.” She smiles. “I just got a beautiful delivery.” She laughs and then listens as she begins to undo the ribbon around the bunch of roses. “Seven.”

“She’s walking on air,” Chloe mouths.

“I know.” I smile. Juliet’s happiness is contagious. “I can’t wait for the wedding next weekend.”

“My god, me too.”

“She’s going to be the most beautiful bride.”

“Definitely the happiest.”

“Thank you.” She smiles. “I love you.” Her eyes float over to us as we listen in. “Oh, he does?” She laughs out loud. “Yes, put him on.” She keeps rearranging her roses. “Hello, Antony.” She smiles. “Well, you behave yourselves.” She laughs out loud, as if surprised by something he said. “No. I will not bail you out of jail.”

“She totally would,” Chloe whispers.

“Well, you look after him.” Her eyebrows rise. “Blake’s what?” Her mouth falls open. “That can’t be good. Send me video updates of this, please.” She laughs. “I mean it, Deluca. You are in charge.”

Chloe and I exchange looks. What’s going on?

“Goodbye.” She hangs up the phone. “Blake is out of control already.”

“Why?”

Juliet’s phone beeps a text, and she opens it. It’s a video, and we all lean in to watch it.

It’s Blake. I frown as I try to get my bearings. “What is he doing?”

He’s shirtless and in his swimming trunks. His body is glistening with tanning oil.

“What the hell is he doing?” Chloe frowns.

Then the sound comes through, and we giggle as we hear the song. He’s in a sombrero hat and doing the Macarena by the pool to a band with a group of old ladies.

His carefree, boyish charm is infectious, and I give a lopsided smile, my eyes lingering on his glistening, oiled-up body. His muscles are flexing as he dances, and he’s laughing out loud. “Those grannies are going to think all their Christmases have come at once.”

“Right?” Juliet agrees. “This will be the highlight of their lives.”

“He sure knows how to have a good time,” Chloe replies.

The girls go back to chatting while my mind stays by the pool in Vegas with Blake.

I wish I knew how to be carefree and fun like him.

Doing the Macarena with grannies—the thought brings a smile to my face.

He’s one of a kind.

Onstage, we sing at the top of our voices; Juliet is wearing the customary short white veil, with glitter on her face and a very tipsy demeanor.

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