directly into the scorching sun.
“Michael is having lunch with Ben to discuss the bachelor party for tomorrow night. I thought we could join them and go over what you have planned for the bachelorette.” She smiles and bats her eyes at me.
“Fine by me” I say, feeling all giddy inside at the thought of seeing Ben.
When we walk into the restaurant, they are already waiting for us and have ordered our food. Ben’s face lights up when he sees me and I know mine lights up too, because I feel myself flush gazing into his dark brown eyes.
“How’d it go?” Michael asks standing to greet Jessica.
“Wonderful!” Jessica exclaims, “Jose is the best, isn’t he Megan?”
“He is pretty special.” I mumble and sit down beside Ben.
Right away, she starts to tell Michael everything we discussed with Jose, and makes me relieve the wedding planning horror. Amongst her chattering, Ben leans over and whispers in my ear, “I missed you.”
I bite my lip and whisper that I missed him too. He leans back in his chair all calm and collected, while I break out in a sweat, just hearing him say those three little words.
“Okay, Ben. Tell me exactly what you have planned.” Jessica says a takes a tiny bite from her bland salad.
“It’s pretty straight forward.” Ben shrugs and bites into his wrap. He chews, swallows then says, “It’s none of your business anyway; it’s Michael’s bachelor party not yours.”
Jessica freezes with anger, “It is so my business. Right, Michael?”
Michael quickly nods and looks at Ben, “Just tell her already and stop being such a dick.”
“Fine” Ben mumbles and puts down his wrap. “Golf in the morning, a late dinner, then drinks at the Sports bar afterwards. Is that okay? Is Michael allowed to attend his own bachelor party?”
Jessica bites her lip and lets out a cocky chuckle, “Don’t be a wise ass.”
“I’m not!” Ben laughs and leans back to stretch out his long legs, “I just don’t see why you have to micromanage everything. You are going to drive yourself crazy if you don’t relax.”
“Have you ever planned a wedding Ben?” Jessica says and drops her fork. He opens his mouth to answer, but she interjects, “I didn’t think so.” Then she darts her eyes at me, “Now you tell me what you have planned for the bachelorette.”
I trade a glance with Michael who looks petrified and clear my throat, “I planned a full day at the Spa, followed by a nice formal dinner, and then drinks at the Theatre bar.” I say and hope my plans are up to snuff for the bride-to-be.
Jessica leans back in her chair and glances at Michael with raised eyebrows. Then she looks between Ben and I and points her tiny finger in our faces, “Okay, now that I know our parties will not overlap, I still need you guys to make sure Michael and I do not see each other at all tomorrow. It’s really bad luck if we do.”
Ben nods, “Don’t worry Jess, we don’t want you around anyway. I wouldn’t want you punching out any of the Costa Rican strippers I ordered for us.”
Jessica narrows her eyes at Ben “I wouldn’t put it past you to do something stupid like that. You better be joking.”
Ben raises his eyebrows and gives her a smug grin, “Maybe I am, and maybe I’m not. But now you’ll never know.”
If looks could kill, Ben would be dead. Jessica gently leans her hundred and five pound self across the table and whispers, “If I find out there was even one stripper within three feet of Michael, I will rip your beloved balls off.”
“Jessica relax, he’s joking.” Michael says and stupidly smiles at Ben.
“Don’t smile at him!” Jessica says, and slaps Michael in the shoulder.
“That’s okay if they do.” I say with a proud grin, “Because I hired us some sexy male Costa Rican strippers of our own for tomorrow night.”
Ben narrows his eyes at me then leans back in his chair with amusement, “Really?”
“Really” I lie, and hear Jessica snicker in my ear.
“You’re full of shit.” Ben says with chuckle.
“Well, I guess you’ll never know.” I say and give him a tiny wink.
****
When lunch is over, Jessica and Michael take off to spend time with their families. Ben and I linger by the front of the restaurant and wave goodbye. As soon as they are out of our sight, he turns to me and says, “Meet me in the lobby no later than three-thirty.”
“Why?” I ask