Page 21 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
I puff out a laugh. “Right now, I’m only into a pot of coffee.”
Sloane laughs again. A lot. “I’m so glad Kasey hooked us up, Natalie. I’m going to miss living with her, but I’m sooooo excited for you to move in.”
“Me too.” I glance at the clock. “On that note, Kasey has a bunch of stuff planned for us today, but I should be able to look over the rental agreement later. Is that okay?”
“Yes! Just don’t wait too long. Wyatt wants Kasey’s replacement locked in, and she’s got a wait list. In the meantime, have so much fun! Give Kasey hugs and kisses from me!”
“Will do,” I chirp, hoping Sloane remembers I can be cheerful too. But when we end the call, I slip back under the comforter for five more minutes of peace before I have to get ready to face Brady again.
He’s the reason I tossed and turned all night. I wish I could blame an uncomfortable bed, but my mom’s got my old room decked out about as cozy as it’s ever been. There are new linens and fluffy pillows on the bed, and a vase of fresh flowers on the dresser. A scented candle—in lavender—sits next to my old desktop computer and printer. I wonder if they even work now. Either way, Mom went all out to make me feel at home. She’s probably afraid that once I have to fly to visit, I won’t want to come back.
Don’t think about that, right now.
Instead, I dash off a text to the bridesmaids’ group thread.
ME: What’s everyone wearing today? Lake cruise and beach day …???
Kasey’s the first to respond, then more texts start pouring in.
KASEY: I’ve got a pair of blinged-out flip-flops, and my bathing suit under a sundress. I’m bringing a bag with a cover-up to throw on at the beach after.
OLIVIA: Can I just wear a bathing suit all day, or is a cover-up required?
DARBY: We’re taking pictures on the lake, Liv.
OLIVIA: And …
DARBY: And I wouldn’t want to wear a bathing suit to a photo shoot. But knock yourself out.
OLIVIA:When do we finally get to meet the famous Drake Hawkins?
Drake Hawkins is a big-shot photographer who’s worked alongside Beau for years. And as the only groomsman who isn’t family, he’s like Amber, except on Beau’s side. As for Olivia, her sole requirements for flirting are that a man be single and reasonably attractive. I’ve only met Drake once, but he ticks those boxes. And Beau obviously likes him or he wouldn’t be in the wedding.
KASEY: He’ll be on the party barge with us. He’s going to take pics of everyone under the bridge.
DARBY: Didn’t you and Ian JUST break up, Liv?
TESS: You know her, Darbs. Any port in a storm …
OLIVIA: Says the girl who’s never had a serious boyfriend. Seriously, Tess. You should just go ahead and date that scrawny librarian guy you’re always yammering about.
TESS: Spencer is not scrawny. And we’re not even friends. We have nothing in common. So I don’t yammer about him. Who even yammers?
DARBY: Methinks the triplet protests too much.
OLIVIA: Whatever, Darbs. Just because YOUR boyfriend couldn’t come to the wedding doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the single groomsmen.
DARBY: Most of the groomsmen are our cousins.
OLIVIA: Which is why I call dibs on Drake Hawkins.
LETTIE: You three have real issues …
NELLA: Don’t be mean, Lettie.
AMBER: Hey, Natalie. Can we trade bathing suits?
Ha!Before I can respond, Amber texts again.
