Page 65 of Mind

Kat plucks a grape off the table between us that’s filled with a bunch of finger foods and noshes and plops it into her mouth. “No, I wouldn’t say regularly. For me it’s kind of kinky and exciting. Plus, you have to be really relaxed in order for it to feel good. Carson and I have only done it a couple times.”

“You’ve done it with Carson? How did I not know this?” Now I’m feeling like the loser in a group of cool girls.

Kat laughs. “What did you expect? I’m going to jump for joy and tell you every time I’ve had anal?” she snickers.

I shake my head rather annoyed. “Bree, what about you? What’s your experience?”

“Well, I’ve not done it with Phillip yet. He seems to think it’s going to hurt the baby. I’m betting he’s never done it and afraid to try something new. But he was married.” Her eyebrows pinch together prettily. Everything about Bree is pretty. “Don’t all married people do everything?” She shrugs then pouts. “My last boyfriend was a serious ass man. He’d take my ass any time I gave it to him. Once the newness wore off it kind of got boring.”

“No, I think that was your ex. He was dumb as a rock but hotter than Hades in the dead of summer,” Maria chimes in.

“True dat!” I joke. Bree grins and nods excitedly.

Maria still hasn’t contributed. “So Maria, what’s your experience?”

She clears her throat and slams the entire glass of champagne in one swallow. Not a good sign. The steward immediately pops up out of nowhere and fills her glass to the brim.

“My experience isn’t pretty.” Maria says flatly. I know that tone. There be monsters hiding under the bed in that tone.

Just as I’m about to change the subject Bree asks, “Meaning you didn’t like it?”

Maria shakes her head. Her face turns hard and her eyes lose their warmth. “No honey, it means I didn’t choose it. Antonio took what he wanted, when he wanted, and didn’t take his sweet time preparing for the big event.” She stands, twirls on a toe her robe flapping in the breeze. “I have to tinkle,” she says in passing.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Bree slumps when Maria is out of earshot.

“Shit Bree, even I saw the signs!” Kat says and throws a grape at her.

“I didn’t know. She never talks about Antonio. Gigi told us a lot about what Justin did to her but Maria has always been so tight lipped.” Bree brings her hands up to her temples and rubs. Dana sits watching the verbal lashes back and forth.

“Honey, it’s fine. Ria’s a big girl and can handle it. Just don’t say anything about it when she comes back or she’ll get all grumpy and pissed. When she wants to talk about her experience, she will. I’m certain it won’t be here while we’re a couple days away from my wedding. Maria has this thing about tainting experiences.”

The three girls nod and lay back switching the subject. Maria comes back in and sits in her seat looking refreshed and back to normal.

The elephant hangs heavily around the group when Dana blurts, “Gigi, that necklace is beautiful. Is it new?”

I narrow my eyes at her. If she had anything to do with picking it out I’m going to be extremely disappointed. “Why, have you seen it before?” There’s a hint of malice coating my tone that I didn’t mean to have.

Her head juts backward and a hand comes up to her chest. “No, I just thought it was pretty.”

“So Chase didn’t ask you to order this?” I need to know if this was as special to him as it is to me. She shakes her head. Immediately, the frustration poofs away and I smile wide and hold it out to the girls to get a good look. “It’s my wedding present. Chase is always tracing infinity symbols on my skin when he’s touching me, and he had this made as my wedding present. He’s going to die when he gets his!” I laugh.

“Why? What did you get him?” Kat asks.

“I got him personalized infinity symbol cufflinks!” I laugh. The girls giggle.

“You guys are like living in a romance novel,” Bree says wistfully.

I grin. “I know, right?” Closing my eyes I lean back and let the ocean breeze smooth over my skin and just enjoy the moment. “In two days, I’ll be Mrs. Chase Davis.”

Dana gets up to leave. “Need to go check on the guys, make sure everything is going smoothly.” The four of us boo her announcement, but she hustles off ready to do her job. I give her credit. She’s done an amazing job with the wedding plans, and making sure everything goes perfectly, this trip the icing on the cake.

“Toast!” Maria calls out when she’s gone. All four of us bring our champagne glasses together. Bree’s is filled with sparkling cider but she’s enjoying it anyway.

“My turn for a toast!” Bree proclaims. She takes a deep breath and looks at each of us in the eyes. “To always knowing what’s important.” Her hand goes to her belly. “And remembering that with every breath we take, we are loved and connected by a bond that can never be broken. The four of us, it’s who we are for the rest of our lives.”

“Salud!”

“Cheers!”

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