Rate a Date by Monica Murphy Page 0,8
because this isn’t just your regular ol’ bachelorette party,” Caroline says with a sly smile, her gaze shifting to Stella, who returns her smile. These two are conspiring together, I’m sure, since Stella is her maid of honor.
“What exactly are we doing?” asks Candice. She’s the sweetest one of the group. Even sweeter than me, and I’m pretty damn syrupy-sweet when I want to be, which is all the time. Together we make all of our cynical friends want to run away from us.
It’s actually pretty fun.
“Well.” Caroline hesitates for a beat, drawing the moment out, and I actually shift around in my seat, anticipation making me start to sweat. That, and the sun beating down on my face, even with the hat. I angle my head, the brim of my hat blocking the sun somewhat.
“We’re going to…Las Vegas!” More gasps and murmurs after Caroline’s announcement as she throws her arms up and makes a whooping noise. We all start clapping. People at the other tables are watching us like we’re on a wacky reality TV show. “We’re staying in the penthouse suite at the Wilder Hotel and Casino. Alex has already arranged everything for us. It’s going to be amazing.”
“Please tell me it’s not some elegant affair with snooty sandwiches and sparkling wine,” Kelsey says, worry lacing her tone.
We all send her a look. Does she not know us at all?
“What?” Kelsey shrugs. “We all deserve to cut loose, especially Caroline.”
“Who do you think we are, a bunch of old ladies? We’re going to have cheap liquor and strippers, baby,” Stella says, making all of us start laughing.
Well, except me. I just smile, worry filling me at the idea of strippers.
I suppose they’re fine. It’s an expected part of any bachelor/bachelorette party. I just hope they don’t try to gyrate on my lap and thrust their bulging crotches in my face. That’s kind of gross.
Okay, I find it really gross.
I love men. I really do, but oily strippers who are too tan and just the slightest bit sleazy really aren’t my bag.
Like, at all.
“Don’t worry about the strippers,” Candice tells me later, as we’re all starting to leave the restaurant. She’s resting her hand on my forearm, the giant diamond on her finger glinting in the sunlight. I can’t help but stare at it, completely mesmerized. “I’ll stick with you the entire time, just in case. We’re vulnerable alone yet a force together.”
She makes it sound like we’re going into battle with strippers. I almost start giggling, but I stop myself just in time. I think it’s the champagne.
“Thank you,” I say, my voice solemn, my expression serious. “I appreciate it.”
“This is going to be so much fun!” Candice says, punctuating the last word with the faintest squeal. “I’m so going shopping.”
“Where?” The last time I went to Vegas, we went into those giant souvenir stores, but I can only look at so many things that say Whatever Happens in Vegas or I Heart Las Vegas before my eyes start to cross.
“Oh, I don’t know. Chanel maybe? Louis Vuitton. Gucci. They always have fun stuff in the Vegas shops,” Candice says excitedly.
“Right,” I say, my hopes for shopping with Candice dashed. I could accompany her, but I won’t be able to afford anything. Those types of shops are just too pricey for my blood. I do well in my job. I make decent money. I live in my mom’s old house, which she owns outright, and that saves me big money. I only have to pay the property tax and house insurance, and whatever repairs might be needed—which are manageable, but not cheap.
And while I work at what many consider an exclusive salon in a wealthy area, I still don’t make the kind of money that would allow me to shop freely at any of those designer stores. I inherited my mother’s Vuitton Speedy handbag, and I sort of hate it. It’s just so bulky. But that’s the only thing I’ve got with LVs all over it, so I’ll take it.
There’s lot of hugging and air kisses as we all make our departures, until it’s just Caroline and me standing together on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. I can’t remember the last time I spoke to Caroline one on one since we’re always in a big group making wedding plans, so I take advantage of my situation.
“Do you have afternoon plans?” I ask.
Caroline shakes her head. “No, none. I was so overwhelmed with the bridal shower, I