Becca could only laugh as she lifted her skirt and took a picture of the virginal white panties she wore, complete with glittering sequins. They’d made her feel very bridal. “I love this idea,” she said, shooting off a text to Nick. Then again, she’d already been three glasses of champagne into Happyville before they’d left the restaurant, and Kat had given her a fourth when she’d gotten into the limo. So she was prone to love just about any idea just then. “Ooh, I’m sending Nick one of each so he can see how beautiful this necklace is on me,” she said, taking a shot down the top of her dress but making sure to get the incredible yellow diamond sun-shaped pendant he’d given her into the frame. She loved him so freaking much.
“Oh, my God,” Sara said. “I have no cleavage to speak of, people. But Shane did like these red panties I have on.” Awkwardly and with a lot of blushing, she managed to take a picture up the skirt of her little red dress. “You, on the other hand, have great boobs, Jenna,” she said to her sister.
“I already sent mine,” Jenna said, looking very pleased with herself. She’d worn a form-fitting black dress that gave her the most enviable hourglass shape. On Becca’s last day off, they’d gone shopping for new dresses for tonight and the rehearsal dinner, and all the time Becca had gotten to spend with these women was making her fall in love with them even more. She had women she was friendly with at the hospital, but it hadn't been since nursing school that she’d last had truly close friends. Best friends. Now she had four of them.
“I need help with mine,” Emilie said, grinning. She handed her phone to Kat, who sat next to her. Laughing, Emilie turned and got on all fours on the seat. She pulled up the bottom of her gold dress just enough to reveal a really tiny pair of satin black panties.
“I knew I liked you,” Kat said, taking the picture. “And why am I not surprised that Derek is an ass man?”
“Oh, my. This is going to be a night of TMI, isn’t it?” Sara asked, sipping at her champagne.
“Yes,” Emilie said, sitting down again. “But if I’ve discovered anything, it’s that life is too damn short and uncertain to hold back.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Becca said, draining her glass.
And that’s when all their phones started blowing up. Laughter filled the limo as they all read the guys’ reactions to their selfies. Becca couldn’t stop grinning—or fantasizing—about Nick’s reply.
I’m going to tear those fucking things off with my teeth. Count on it.
His reply to her second selfie made her all warm inside.
You are so beautiful. My sunshine.
“Okay, as much as I want to get you drunk, I also don’t want to see you sick.” Kat handed Becca a bottle of water and grabbed one for herself. “Drink this before you have any more champagne.”
“I will. But why aren’t you drinking?” Becca asked. Kat hadn’t touched her champagne at dinner, and she was the only one of them without a drink now.
“So I can take care of you,” Kat said. “Besides, I’m naturally high on life. Runs in the family. Well, at least with Jeremy and me, anyway.”
Becca laughed. Kat and Nick were alike in so many ways, and their stubbornness often had them butting heads. By the time the limo pulled to a stop, Becca had dutifully followed orders and emptied the bottle. “I’m so excited to see what we’re doing,” she said. The girls had insisted on keeping it a secret.
The driver, an older man named Tony, whose military bearing reminded Becca of her father, opened the door. They spilled out onto the street, and Kat wrapped her arm through Becca’s as they walked up to the doors of a posh salon and spa. “We’re getting completely pampered. Anything you want. The place is all ours for the night.”
“Oh, my God,” Becca said. “This is the coolest thing ever.” And she didn’t know the half of it until they were inside. There was more champagne, a table full of chocolate-covered strawberries and Godiva truffles, and a mountain of presents.
“You never got to have a shower,” Emilie said. “So consider tonight your combination shower and bachelorette party.”
Becca was completely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and perfection of the whole thing. “You shouldn’t have done all this,” she said. “But I’m really, really glad you did.”
They all traded their dresses and heels for robes and slippers and settled in for pedicures. One of the ladies from the spa kept Becca in a continuous stream of drinks and treats and presents. So many presents. A gorgeous lingerie set for her wedding night. A big basket of body lotions and spa products and makeup. A set of pillow cases that read Mr. Right and Mrs. Always Right. A trio of crystal picture frames. A happily ever after wish jar with their names on it to be put out for people to fill at their wedding. A pair of red satin panties with the words You got lucky on the crotch. Sparkling, drop diamond earrings. A beautiful framed print that had Becca and Nick’s names, their wedding date, and the words And they lived happily ever after.
“I love everything so much,” Becca said as the woman put the finishing touches on her purple toe polish. “Not that long ago, I had almost no one in my life. My parents were gone. Charlie had distanced himself. And I threw myself into work just to fill the void. Now, I can’t believe everything I have. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you.”
“I’ve never had friends like this before,” Sara said, blinking fast. “Sometimes I’m afraid that I’m dreaming and I’ll wake up.”
“It’s not a dream, Sara,” Jenna said. “What happened is that you woke up from the nightmare. This is your reality now.”
“Oh, God, you guys are going to make me cry,” Emilie said. “I think we need more champagne. And chocolate.”
Kat’s pedicure was already done, so she brought the bottle around and refilled everyone’s glasses. In all, Becca was treated to a pedicure, a manicure, and a mini facial, and she had her eyebrows shaped. She hadn’t felt so relaxed in forever. No doubt everything Nick had learned earlier in the day helped, and for the first time since she’d returned to work, she felt hopeful.
It was after eleven by the time they were all dressed again and had the presents and leftovers packed up to take home. Tony carried everything out to the Hummer for them, then Becca noticed him talking quietly with Kat.
“Is everything okay?” Becca asked, joining them at the front door of the spa.
“Yes, Miss Merritt,” Tony said. “There’s a man hanging around down the block who’s drunk and belligerent. He threw a bottle at a passing car earlier. And he gave me a little bit of guff when I asked him to move away from the Hummer. He left without incident, but I don’t want any of you stepping outside until we’re ready to get in the vehicle and depart.”
Through the haze of champagne and sugar, Becca’s gut clenched. “Okay, of course.”
“Don’t worry,” Kat said. “It’s just a precaution.”