Rate a Date by Monica Murphy Page 0,49

speaking the truth.

“I hate being a jealous person, but right now, I’m a jealous person,” Kelsey says, a glum expression on her pretty face. “Our entire friend group are in these amazing relationships and I’m out here all by myself.”

Stella starts singing the song “All By Myself,” and she’s so terribly off-key, we can’t help but laugh at her.

“I’m not in a relationship,” I reassure Kelsey once we’ve settled down. I glance toward the store to see Caroline and Sarah are walking toward us. “With my luck, it’s probably going to end up being a memorable one-weekend stand. That’s it.”

Not bad luck, though. My moments with Mitch are definitely ones I never want to forget, that’s for sure.

“Whatever it ends up being, at least you found someone who makes you look like that.” Kelsey waves a hand toward my face.

I frown. “Look like what?”

“Like you’re radiating sunshine and rainbows,” Kelsey says morosely.

Her comment stays with me the rest of the afternoon, and I can’t stop smiling. I’m usually the sun-shiniest one of the bunch, but I’m feeling extra Rainbow Brite right now.

And it’s all thanks to Mitch.

We decorate the suite for over an hour while Caroline’s in her room upstairs, getting her hair and makeup done thanks to the hairstylist and makeup artist Alex hired as a surprise for her. Once we’re finished, they do our hair and makeup as well, which is amazing.

I’m always the hairstylist on call for my friends. I do everyone’s hair, because hello. That’s what I do. And I never mind. It’s my one way to give back.

But it’s so nice to sit in the chair and be tended to by someone else. I request a simple blow out with loose curls, and he delivers. The makeup artist gives me winged eyeliner and perfectly poppin’ highlight.

Getting ready takes way longer than anticipated, so we have to bump out our dinner reservation. Before we leave the suite, we show Caroline the decorations and games we set up, which has her squealing and crying and hugging every single one of us.

All the decorations are completely inappropriate, which was Stella’s idea, of course. I wanted to go the more romantic route, but Stella wouldn’t hear of it. Neither would the rest of them.

Typical.

I bought shiny pink letter mylar balloons that spell out “Wifey for Lifey” and hung them on a string in the kitchen while Stella and Sarah hung the “Same Penis Forever” banner in the living room. The i in penis is shaped exactly like a penis, just FYI.

Sarah brought penis-themed games for us to play later tonight (pecker ring toss, for one). I found a pinata in the shape of a giant solitaire diamond ring that I filled with candy, plus I hung pink and black balloons everywhere. Kelsey brought the sashes. A white one for Caroline that says Bride To Be, a maid of honor one for Stella and the rest of us are wearing bridesmaid sashes, even Kelsey and Candice, who aren’t officially bridesmaids, but for the weekend, it’s all good.

We’re going to look ridiculous, but we don’t care.

We’re just about to walk out the door when room service arrives with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, compliments of Alex Wilder, of course. Stella opens the bottle and pours us each a glass of bubbly.

“To Caroline.” Stella raises her glass and we all follow suit. “We’re so happy for you, and so grateful we can celebrate you in style this weekend. You’re marrying a great guy but never forget—his is the last penis you will ever have.” She lifts her glass even higher. “Cheers!”

We all laugh and clink glasses, and I’m hit with an overwhelming sensation of love and happiness as I stand among my friends, drinking expensive champagne and feeling the bubbles tickle as they slide down my throat. I even start to get teary-eyed, and I do my best to discreetly wipe at my face as I turn away from the group.

“Are you actually crying?” Caroline asks me, sounding horrified.

Candice makes a tsking noise and rushes toward me, wrapping me up in her arms. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to start crying too.”

A watery laugh escapes me as I cling to my friend. “I’m just so happy, you guys. I can’t believe we’re here, staying in this fabulous suite and drinking expensive champagne while we celebrate Caroline’s upcoming wedding.”

“All thanks to Alex,” Caroline says as she joins me and Candice. So we’re all three wrapped around each other.

“I’m feeling left out,”