Page 4 of Rules Of Our Own

CHAPTER2

MIA

The back-seat windowfogs as I lean in, blurring my view of the resort. I missed my shuttle from the airport to Napa Valley and had to hire a private car for the nearly two-hour drive. I hand my credit card to the driver, and my fingers tap on my bouncing knee as I wait for the transaction to go through. It makes a loud beep, and the driver frowns at me.

“Miss, it’s declined.”

I fake a smile through my mortification and hand him a different one. “Sorry, wrong one.”

He swipes again, and relief washes over me as the telltale chime from the machine signals it’s approved. As a medical intern buried in school debt, I’m seriously broke, and after this trip, I’ll be chowing down on nothing but ramen noodles for the next month.

There’s no way I’d have been able to come if Lucas and Piper hadn’t paid for my stay, and I can’t thank them enough. I don’t have long to dwell on it. My door opens, and a smiling doorman welcomes me.

“Welcome to Resort Bardessono.”

“Thank you.”

My breath catches the second I step out of the car, and the soft, lilting fall of water fills my ears. The place is gorgeous. No. Stunning. I breathe in through my nose, the scent of flowers, rain, and honeysuckle hanging in the air. I’m still gawking at the resort’s modern architecture, which is somehow both modern and rustic, when a white Porsche rolls up behind me. The valet opens the door, revealing a vaguely familiar face, sending reality tipping on its axis. She’s from one of those housewives shows that plays on repeat in the hospital. I dash my gaze away, praying she didn’t catch me gawking.

I’m not in Kansas anymore, that’s for sure.

I know one day as a doctor, this won’t be unattainable, but right now, it’s like a freaking fairy tale. I guess this is what happens when your friend’s marrying an NHL star.

“Ms. Brooks,” the bellman says, jolting me from my thoughts. “If you’ll just come with me, I’ll guide you through the lobby.”

I reach for my carry-on, but another man dressed in a resort uniform gets to it first. “Don’t worry, miss. I’ll bring it to your room.”

I swallow hard, not sure how to tell him I can’t afford to tip. Instead, I grab hold of the handle and give him a smile. “I’d really rather keep it with me if that’s okay.”

He looks surprised but nods. “Of course.”

I follow the first man through the entry door, and I’m immediately greeted by happy squeals. Both Sidney and Piper are waiting for me next to their guys.

Jax releases his arms from around Sidney’s waist, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair and giving me a dimpled smile as Sidney skips toward me so fast you’d think we didn’t see each other weekly.

Her dark hair’s pulled up in a high ponytail that bounces with her steps, revealing the silver section underneath, and she’s wearing a matching top and skirt set with a floral pattern on it. Her full cheeks are flushed, and she’s smiling so widely her eyes crinkle at the corners. I’ve heard Jax call her a sexy librarian, and no matter how gross that is, it’s undoubtedly true.

“I can’t believe you missed your flight,” she chides, but it’s friendly with no judgment.

I shrug and stumble back as a weight slams into my side with an oomph.

Piper’s bright golden hair frames her face, her glittering cornflower eyes lit up with joy as she wraps her arms around me in a warm embrace. She is wearing a thin-strapped white eyelet dress that is feminine and elegant, perfect for a wedding weekend.

Meanwhile, I’m in my purple scrubs with teddy bear pins along the collar because I didn’t have time to change.

Piper lets out an exaggerated sigh and steps back. “Thank God you’re here. The guys outnumbered us all day. We had to watch hockey games. Old ones!”

Sidney laughs. She likes hockey just as much as the guys, but she doesn’t contradict our friend. They’d grown closer over the years, even while living in different cities.

Jax plays for the Ottawa Senators and Lucas for the Boston Bruins, so they bonded over their guys traveling and the highs and lows of being WAGs. Which is a term I still can’t believe they call themselves. Wives and girlfriends.

Lucas is tall and broad, with deep brown skin that stands in stark contrast to the petite and fair-skinned Piper. He wraps his arm around Piper’s tiny waist, and his brown eyes shine as he looks at her lovingly.

Just like their personalities. Complete opposites, but a perfect fit. Once he’s done nuzzling his soon-to-be wife’s neck, he gives me a smile. “Glad you made it.”

Jax wraps an arm around my shoulder and tugs me to his side. “Long trip?”

“Not a complete waste. I got a lot of work done while I waited.” I shrug.

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