Page 25 of The Better Bride

“The fire is out. You can come back in.”

I head toward the room, but Becky stops me with her hand. “Not you. You go return the tiger to the front desk before he eats us. We’ll stay here and try to figure out what the hell just happened.”

I take the stairs, figuring that I’ll run into fewer people that way. No one wants to share an elevator with a tiger. Not even a cute, well-trained tiger like this one.

If Norbert is still speaking to me after this, maybe I can talk him into adopting a cat.

Once I’m in the lobby, I drop the tiger off at the front desk, instructing the reluctant bellhop to take him back to his habitat and get him some tiger kibble, or raw steak, or whatever he eats.

Then I pull out my phone, which is thankfully still in my pocket and almost fully charged. I brace myself for another awkward conversation with Norbert.

I consider telling him that I missed him so much that I decided to cut my party short and come straight to Vegas to see him. But I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t remember anything that happened after my second shot of tequila.

Taking time off from drinking has really lowered my tolerance.

But anyway, I’m going to have to tell Norbert the truth, which is that I have no idea why I’m in Vegas or how I got here.

Who knows? He might know something I don’t.

He answers on the first ring. “Norbert! Hi. It’s me,” I begin nervously. “I wanted to…”

“Is this Mysti May?” a voice asks.

It’s not Norbert.

Why did someone else answer Norbert’s phone?

Has he been kidnapped?

HaveIbeen kidnapped? That might explain a few things.

“Yes, this is she. Who is this?”

I silently pray to the party gods that it’s someone I know and not a kidnapper.

“It’s Jeff. Norbert’s still sleeping I normally don’t answer Norbert’s phone, but I didn’t want your call to go to voicemail after…well, you know.”

I sigh with relief. Jeff is not a kidnapper. He’s Norbert’s best man.

He’ll be able to tell me what happened.

“About that,” I begin. “I just want to tell you how sorry I am about last night. I didn’t think I’d had that much to drink, but apparently, it was enough for me to make a complete ass of myself and—”

“Are you kidding me? I’m the one who should be apologizing. If I’d known, I would never have let Norbert…” Jeff’s voice trails off. “But I’m sure you don’t want to hear it. How are you, by the way?”

I look down and take stock of my appearance. My clothes are rumpled and kind of damp with what I’m hoping is just water, my shoes are missing, and I’ve got a hangover the size of good ol’ Texas.

“I’m still in one piece, thankfully.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Hey, can you do me a favor?” I ask Jeff quietly.

“Anything you ask, sweetie,” Jeff agrees readily. “After all you’ve been through, bless your heart…”

I have yet to find out what it is I’ve been through, but if Jeff is willing to let it go, then maybe I should, too.

“When Norbert wakes up, will you tell him I went out for a bit, and that I’ll call him later? Tell him not to worry.”

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