Page 101 of Playbook
TWENTY-SEVEN
We pile out of my apartment. Eight women, happy and tipsy, and ready to hit the town. I follow behind, making sure we have everyone and everything for the night. Tylenol and water for the ride to the bar, plus snacks and wet wipes. I threw it all into my purse, determined to be the mother hen for the night so my sister can cut loose.
“Oh, Lo Lo.” Sierra walks back through the group of her friends to me. “I forgot to grab my tiara in your apartment.”
“Got it right here.” I pat the side of my giant leather bag.
“Thank you.” Her eyes shine with a mixture of glee and alcohol. “You’re the best sister ever.”
“Not possible. You’ve already claimed that title.”
She throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off-balance. “Love you, Lo Lo.”
“I love you too.” I squeeze herback.
We break apart at the sound of squeals and laughter. A giant Hummer limo pulls up to the curb. It’s black and sleek.
“You got a limo!” My sister’s happy screech amps up another level when the door opens and her fiancé appears.
My confusion is quickly replaced with humor as I realize the guys rented the ostentatious vehicle.
The girls climb in, giddy and excited. I spot Chris when Gretchen climbs in next to him. No matter how much I don’t want his presence to bug me, it still does.
Brogan gets out when I’m the only one left. His brows lift as his gaze travels slowly down over my legs and then back up. “Whoa. Sweetheart. You look…” He rubs a hand over his jaw.
“You like?” I ask, spinning in my very short black dress and the red high heels he likes so much. I grab my sash out of my purse and pull it on, then hold up my penis-shaped necklace. “I wanted to make sure I checked all your bachelorette party attire boxes.”
“You check all my boxes all right.” He steps to me and buries his head in the crook of my neck. He groans.
“Did you have fun with the guys?” While we had drinks at my place, they gathered at Ben and Sierra’s apartment for cigars and whiskey. I can smell both on my date.
“Yeah, Ben’s a cool guy.”
My future brother-in-law would probably have a stroke if he heard Brogan say those words.
“You are making his night by being here. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I’ve got all the thanks I need with you in that sexy fucking dress. I can’t decide if I want to rip you out of it later or fuck you in it. Complete with the sash.”
My skin pricks with goosebumps and my pulse races. “You should be solucky.”
I trail a hand over his chest and pass by him. I’m pretty sure he mutters, “Don’t I fucking know it.”
We take the limo for a short five-minute drive to the first bar on our stop for the night. I hang back with my supplies while everyone else goes straight to the bar to get drinks. It’s still early so it’s not too crowded.
I pull out the checklist for the night. Sierra had only a few requirements to make this the best night ever, and I’m going to ensure we do all of them. Starting with a cheesy group photo.
Once everyone has a drink in hand, I get out my phone.
“Crowd together,” I yell, holding up my phone to indicate I am going to take a picture.
Guys and girls alike shuffle closer to each other. All except Brogan.
“Let me take it,” he says.
“I got it.”
“Yeah, but you should be in the photo.”
