Page 36 of About That One Night
Zoe: How was I supposed to find out?
MaxMc: Have you arrived at your studio yet?
Zoe: Nope.
MaxMc: Text me when you’re there.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Zoe: You got me flowers and dinner and . . . this is quite adorable.
MaxMc: Expect this for the next three weeks, since I won’t be able to wine you, dine you and . . . did you see inside the box?
Zoe: You got me sex toys?!
MaxMc: Yep, I need to take care of you.
Zoe: You’re a very strangeman, McCallister.
MaxMc: You’re . . . beautiful and hopefully understanding. I’ll try to text you as often as I can, but if not I’ll see you at the wedding.
Zoe: Thank you for this nice surprise, Max. I’m truly going to miss you.
MaxMc: Same.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Zoe
The bass thrumsthrough my headphones, drowning out the jet engines’ persistent hum. My foot taps to the beat of “What You Know” by Two Door Cinema Club as I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to be anywhere but here. This private plane to Fiji should feel glamorous, but right now, it’s more like a gilded tin can with wings.
I peek one eye open, scanning the cabin: plush leather seats, champagne flutes,smiling faces. Ugh, everyone’s so damn happy. I clamp my eyes shut again, cranking up the volume.
A gentle tap on my arm makes me nearly jump out of my skin. I yank off my headphones to find Lily beaming at me like she’s just won the lottery.
“Earth to Zoe,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “I’ve been trying to get your attention.”
“Sorry,” I mutter, my cheeks warming. “Just . . . really into this song. Maybe next time this band is on tour I’ll go and see them.”
Lily quirks an eyebrow, her expression screaming ‘Yeah, right.’ “Sure, Sis. That’s why you look like you’re about to hurl. Here.” She thrusts a flute of bubbly into my hand. “I come bearing liquid courage.”
I accept the glass, mustering up a smile that feels more like a grimace. “Thanks.”
“To tropical paradise,” Lily toasts. We clink glasses, the crystal ringing softly.
The champagne fizzes on my tongue, but it does nothing to untangle the knots in my stomach. I’m a fish out of water here, and not just because we’re thirty thousand feet in the air in a plane that feels more like a fancy tin can than a reliable mode of transportation.
And then there’s this wedding crashing feeling that feels spectacularly weird. I understand they invited me to be here, and I’m even a bridesmaid but . . . I’m totally feeling out of place.
“Zoe?” Lily’s voice cuts through my spiral. “You look like you’re mentally redecorating the plane. What’s up?”
I nod quickly, my ponytail bouncing. “Yeah, just . . . you know. Thinking about bridesmaid duties.” Oh my God, I’m such a liar. That’s not even a thing. We already had the bachelorette party that Lily organized and well, my sister is her maid of honor. I have nothing to do other than walk down the aisle with a cute flouncy dress and be supportive. Why couldn’t I come up with some other excuse, something more . . . simple and believable?
“Relax, Zo. This is supposed to be fun, remember?” Fun. Right. Because what’s more fun than being the eternal bridesmaid? At least for Lily’s wedding, I brought Tom. Now . . . well, I’m alone.
Lily squeezes my hand, her touch warm and comforting. “It’ll be great. Trust me.”
I take another sip—bigger this time. There’s not enough champagne in this plane to make me feel at ease. As my sister stares at me with worry, I smile and say, “You’re right. I’m just anxious.”
