Page 77 of Game Changer

Nova: It’s Mari’s bachelorette. I’m picking up cupcakes, then we’re going to the spa.

Grumpy Baller: She’s lucky to have you.

His words put a little extra bounce in my step as I head to the Four Seasons.

He’s been away the last few days playing a road game I watched on Harlan and Mari’s huge TV last night. It was strange hearing the commentators talk about him like he’s famous, but he is.

When the Kodiaks won, I was jumping up and down enough to spill popcorn everywhere.

I texted him after to say congrats, not expecting a response.

One came back almost immediately.

Grumpy Baller: Thanks Pink. Wish you were here to see it.

Today there are six of us: me, Chloe, Brooke, Mari, and two other friends of Mari’s I haven’t met.

The spa attendants get us checked in and get us off to our first appointments.

The massages fly by in a wave of pleasure, plus a few moans when the technician hits an especially tight spot. We arranged for Mari to get an extra body treatment to help her relax while the rest of us get manicures and pedicures.

Chloe insisted on picking up the bill even though I protested.

I haven’t felt this pampered in forever. Maybe it’s the altitude taking, but I didn’t realize how much stress had accumulated in my body between work and Brad.

By the time we all reconvene in our robes, we’re two bottles of champagne in. We open a third for Mari.

She takes it, beaming, and we do a toast.

“One more thing!” I leap up, the separators still between my toes, and stumble toward the table in the corner.

I unveil the cupcakes, and the girls ooh and ahh.

“They’re beautiful.”

“And vegan,” I say proudly.

Mari wrinkles her nose. “I can’t eat that before my wedding.”

“It’s ten days, Mar. And they’re mini cupcakes.”

Grudgingly, she takes one and pops it into her mouth.

“That’s good,” she admits, washing it down with champagne. “I haven’t been eating carbs for six months.”

She reaches for another.

“Are you and Harlan excited for the honeymoon? Nothing but each other for two entire weeks,” Chloe says.

Mari smiles. “We haven’t had that much time alone together despite living under the same roof. We’re always working.”

“Now you don’t even have to get dressed,” Brooke points out between sips.

We all laugh.

“Will the team survive without him?” Mari asks Chloe.

“They’ll be fine.”

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