Page 70 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“That would be kinda hard since Cara is here with us,” I tease.
“Well shit, I’m out of ideas.”
Cara snorts. “Let’s just enjoy this time away. We haven’t seen Mags in a while, and with all the shit Ivy’s been dealing with, I think this will be good for us.”
My first instinct is to feel guilty for leaving Rylin behind, but I know she’s in good hands. Luca and Evelyn both assured me they had everything under control. I left the emergency contact numbers on the fridge, and by the time I finished giving Luca my exhaustive “you better take care of my baby girl or I’ll murder you” speech, even Rylin was trying to shove me out the door.
“Mags!” Paige squeals as she darts into the baggage claim, her polly pocket bestie leaping into her arms. She gives us each a quick hug, then follows us out to the car.
“So,” Cara asks as she slides into the driver’s seat, cranking the ignition and pulling out of the crowded airport parking lot. We’re all a little curious about what Mags has up her sleeve for this "girls’ trip" she spontaneously planned. The details were vague at best — just a few cryptic texts about a “no stress, no plans” kind of weekend, with the wordadventurethrown in for good measure.
Mags grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leans back into the plush leather seats. “This is like a choose your own adventure trip,” she says. “We can head down to Broadway, hit up some bars, do some karaoke, and pretend like you actually want to be there.” We all wince a little at the thought of belting out country classics with half the city’s tourists as our captive audience.
Mags snorts when she sees our reactions, clearly delighted by the lack of enthusiasm. “Or,” she continues, a little more slyly, “We can stay in. Put on our pajamas, do some face masks, eat atonof charcuterie, drink rosé, and gossip until we forget where we are. Your call.”
Paige responds without hesitation, “The second one. I love you Mags, and I know you’re probably itching for some Nashville nightlife, but I’m a tired ass mama right now. I’d love a quiet night in with my girls. That sounds like heaven.”
Mags’s face softens. “Don’t even think about feeling guilty,” she insists, her voice gentling. “I had a feeling you’d want to stay in, which is why I had my dad book us a suite. This trip is as much for all of you as it is for me. I’m just happy to see my girls again.”
Paige’s body visibly relaxes. “Ok. I’m just gonna call Cade and check on Sofia.”
“I’ve literally stopped counting how many times you’ve called Cade today,” I joke, looking over at Paige as she pulls her phone out of her bag. She dials Cade for the eleventh time today, and I can’t help but chuckle as she sighs when it goes to voicemail again.
“God, he’s probably just screening my calls at this point,” she mutters, shaking her head.
Sure enough, just as Paige pockets her phone with a frustrated sigh, the ping of a group text chimes on all of our devices. We all glance at our screens at the same time, and Mags bursts out laughing when she reads the message aloud.
Cade: Somebody tell my wife that Sofia is fine and she can relax.
Cade: I love you, Sunshine… but please stop calling me.
“Babe, if you don’t stop harassing your husband, I’m gonna have to take your phone away,” Mags says.
Paige: How dare you turn my girls against me!
Cade: Have fun, baby. I’ll see you Sunday.
Paige: I’ll see Sofia on Sunday, but you might be regretting your actions, Cowboy.
Mags: We’ve got her. Kiss that sweet baby for me.
Cade: Miles isn’t my type. ??
Miles: I’m everybody’s type.
Mags: In your dreams, Barlow.
“Soooo, Mags…” I draw out her name for added suspense, but before I can ask about her relationship with Miles, we’re already pulling up to the hotel. I tuck that knowledge away, reminding myself to bring it up later when we’re suitably buzzed.
Mags handles check in while the rest of us load up one of the big luggage carts. With four women who all have a tendency to over pack, the cart is barely sufficient to hold all our bags. Cara and I each take one side of the cart, guiding it into the elevator as Mags presses the button for the penthouse suite, courtesy of Maggie’s dad.
“Holy shit. Is your dad single?” Cara jokes.
“Don’t make me tell Dean what you said, asshole.”
As we step into the suite, we're greeted by a breathtaking view of the expansive room. The marble floors and plush rugs lead us into a spacious living area with a cozy sectional sofa. The suite also features a private balcony overlooking the city, andthe main bedroom is a dream, complete with a king-sized bed, a sitting area with floor to ceiling windows, and a spa-like en-suite bathroom with a soaker tub and walk-in shower. I’ve never had a room call me poor in so many languages before.
I lean back against the plush pillows of the massive bed, my face tingling pleasantly under the rosewater revitalizing mask. The soft light from the bedside lamps casts a warm glow around the room. Mags, Cara, and Paige are scattered around me on the massive bed, each with a glass of wine in hand and a huge room service charcuterie board in the center.
