“Of course they are,” I’d replied. They were Avery’s parents, and I couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t attend their one and only son’s wedding.
“They might have conceived me, but it takes more than blood to be a parent, Nic.”
He had a point. Avery had never told me that his relationship with his parents upset him or hurt him, but I could tell by the way he interacted with Easton’s parents that Avery wished they were his. Jimmy and Jane were good people and had welcomed me in as their family too.
I’d moved to where Avery sat at the dining room table, and when he scooted his chair back, I took a seat on his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. “If they don’t show, then I will never utter another word about them. We live on the other side of the country anyway. But, I want you to be happy.”
He’d smiled. “I am happy. You make me happy.”
“And you make me happy, too.”
His grin had widened, and he gazed back at me with his blue eyes. “Good, because we’re getting married.”
I’d smiled in return and kissed his lips softly. “That we are. Want to practice for our wedding night?”
“Like I’d ever turn you down.” Avery had picked me up, causing me to squeal, and carried me to our bedroom.
We’d practiced multiple times.
Vegas. The City of Sin.
Or in my case, the city that would make me an honest woman.
Avery, Brooke, Easton and I landed at McCarran Airport, and to say I was excited would have been an understatement. “Vegas baby!” I shouted as we walked toward baggage claim.
“Excited?” Avery asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Um, yeah.”
“And why’s that?”
I grinned. “Not sure. Might just get myself married.”
He smirked. “Me, too.”
Avery grabbed my hand as the four of us continued to walk. I looked over to see that Easton had Brooke’s hand and, without a word, he kissed the back of it. She smiled up at him, and it hit me that a year ago our lives were entirely different. Brooke was living with that asshole Jared, and I had the hots for her co-worker, who only wanted to get in my pants. Plus, I was dating a guy off and on who had a girlfriend the entire time—asshole. Little did I know then that booking a singles cruise would bring our future husbands into our lives. Easton and Brooke were getting married in four months, and I couldn’t wait for all of us to experience wedded bliss, start our families, and live happily ever after.
“So, everyone remembers the plan, right?” I asked as we waited for our bags.
Avery pulled me to him and wrapped an arm around my shoulders before kissing the top of my head. “Yes, we all know the plan.”
“I just want to make sure because we won’t see each other after we check in until I walk down the aisle.” I looked up into his ocean eyes. “You will be there when I walk down the aisle, right?”
He grinned. “Babe, we just flew across almost the entire country. You think I’d miss it?”
I shrugged. “I’ve heard stories about cold feet.”
“I don’t have cold feet.”
“Don’t worry, Nic,” Easton spoke. “We’ll be on our best behavior tonight, and we won’t be late tomorrow.”
The buzzer for the luggage carousel sounded, and the belt started to turn. “Just promise me you won’t get a black eye. I don’t want that to be in our wedding photos,” I warned.
Avery threw his head back and roared with laughter. “You think Easton and I are the ones who will get into a bar fight? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you two”—he motioned with his finger between Brooke and me—“are the ones who get into bar fights.”
I snorted. “You’re wrong. It was just me.” I looked at Brooke, and she shrugged with a grin. Avery was partially right. I’d almost gotten into a fistfight before my miscarriage because Avery had given me a drink on the house when I bet a woman that I could get him to take my phone number and not hers. Brooke had bet a chick that she could get Easton into the back room at Halo. That bet hadn’t led to a fight, but the girl had stormed off.
“Then you better not get a black eye,” Avery countered.
“No one’s getting into a fight,” Brooke stated. “Now, let’s get our bags and get this party started. We could all use a drink—or five.”
Before we headed to the hotel, we did a walk-through of the venue. In the light of day, it was gorgeous, and I knew I’d made the right decision. It was a small location, perfect for our intimate wedding. The garden area had two rows of four park-styled benches that led to a gazebo at the end. There were white lights draped in the bushes and along the gazebo giving me a little of what I’d always envisioned my wedding to have. We did a quick run through and then went to the hotel to check-in.
The four of us were staying at the Aria Resort & Casino on the Strip. The first night, Brooke and I were sharing a room, and Avery and Easton were in another because even though we’d all traveled together, we were treating it as a separate bachelor and bachelorette night. Tomorrow we’d meet at the wedding venue, and after I officially became Mrs. Scott, Avery and I would stay in a suite together.
The elevator stopped on the level where my and Brooke’s room was. All four of us stepped out. My soon-to-be husband pulled me to him, wrapped his arms around me and squeezed. “The next time I see you, you’ll become my wife,” he said into my ear.
I looked up into his azure eyes. “I can’t wait.”
He captured my lips with his, kissing me long, deep, and passionate. It was the type of kiss that said goodbye, but also held so many promises. Tomorrow would change our lives forever. Tomorrow I would become Mrs. Avery Scott, and I was over the moon. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to sleep tonight because the excitement was racing through my veins.
Easton cleared his throat, and Avery and I pulled our lips apart. He hugged me again. “The next time I kiss those lips will be when you’re my wife.”
I grinned against his hard chest. “I love when you say wife.”
Avery kissed the top of my head, and we pulled apart again. The guys got into the elevator, and I waved goodbye to my fiancé, who would be turning into my husband in twenty-seven hours.
As soon as Brooke and I entered the room, I immediately took my dress out of the suitcase to hang it up. “I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow,” Brooke stated as she watched me unzip the white garment bag.
“I know.” I grinned and hung the floral lace, maxi-style dress on the mirror across from one of the beds. The ivory dress was simple and sleek with a V-neckline, a beaded waist, and a tulle overlay. I loved it. It couldn’t be more perfect for my intimate wedding.
“Nervous?”
I raised my eyebrows in confusion. “Should I be?”
“No.” Brooke smiled. “You talked about cold feet at the airport, and I just want to make sure you’re okay with this.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
She shrugged. “It’s just fast, and I want to make sure you’re ready.”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay.” Brooke smiled again as she started to unzip her luggage.
“Stop trying to freak me out.” I continued unpacking.
“Not trying to freak you out. Marriage is huge, and a lot has happened this year.”
“Did you forget you’re engaged to Avery’s best friend?”
Brooke chuckled slightly. “Nope. Didn’t forget that.”
“We have good men, B.”
“I know. I’m just doing my maid of honor due diligence.”
“Thank you. Now, can we get ready to get me drunk?”
She grinned. “Yep. Tonight, I’m paying you back from my birthday.”
Brooke and I were almost ready to go when there was a knock on the door. The moment it swung open, I knew my friends from Boston had arrived.
“Let’s get this party started!” Kym shouted.
“We’re almost ready,” Brooke replied and stepped back, letting Kym and Je
nna enter.
“Are you ready to have a final night as a single woman?” Jenna asked, stopping at the bathroom where I was putting on the final touches of my makeup.
I turned to face Jenna. Kym was standing next to her. “No. I think I’m just going to cancel the whole thing.”
Their faces fell. “What?” Kym asked.
I couldn’t contain my smile any longer. “Kidding! Let’s do this.”
“Then you better put this on,” Brooke stated. She was holding out a bride-to-be sash. I took it from her and slipped it across my chest.
“Well, now I’m official,” I teased.
“Yeah, you are!” Kym hooked her arm through mine. “Let’s go get wasted.”
We cheered and walked out of the room.
My last night out as a single woman.
Dressed in jeans and sparkly tops, the girls and I ate at Javier’s inside the Aria hotel. Afterward, as we waited for the bill, Brooke let us know the next stop.
“I know this is Vegas, but I figured we wouldn’t want to walk all over the Strip in heels, so I thought we could go to the club here in the hotel and see if it’s fun.”
She was right. This was our first trip to Vegas, and I wanted to see it all, but we didn’t have time. Plus, what could make one club better than the other? The girls and I looked at each other and shrugged. “I’m okay with whatever,” I stated. I was just excited to be in Vegas and getting married.
“Great.” Brooke paid the bill, and we followed her out of the restaurant. “From what I saw online, JEWEL looks like fun.”
After we paid to get inside, we entered the main club and headed to the packed bar. It was nothing like Halo. Of course, Halo was a bar and not a booming nightclub, but the actual main bar of JEWEL was at least double the size of the bar top at Halo. The massive space was dimly lit with black lights casting a dark purple glow. Bodies were everywhere, and the music pumped loudly. It was everything I’d imagined the Vegas party life would be like, and I loved it.
“Shots?” Brooke yelled over the beat of the music.
“Shots!” I grinned, agreeing.
Once she caught the bartender’s eye, I watched her order four redheaded sluts. After they were poured, Brooke handed each of us the red liquor. She held her shot glass up, and we followed suit. “May your wedding night be like a kitchen table: four legs and no drawers.”
“Hell yeah!” I cheered, and we all downed our shots.
“Let’s dance.” Kym grabbed my hand and started to drag me to the dance floor.
It had been a while since we’d gone out dancing. In fact, the last time was before Brooke’s birthday. A guy had asked me to sit on his jacket for him and I was certain I’d never forget that scenario. Plus, I still had the leather jacket the idiot practically gave me.
As we danced to song after song, I thought about how my life had changed in less than a year. What if that guy had asked for my number? What if he’d asked for a dance? Would I have booked the cruise where I’d met Avery? I looked over at Brooke and smiled. If I wouldn’t have booked that trip, she wouldn’t have met Easton, and we wouldn’t have moved to New York. And now, while I danced with my best friends, I fully understood what it meant when people said things happened for a reason. Everything eventually had a connection.
I still wasn’t sure why I’d lost my baby. Maybe it wasn’t the right time? But then why did I become pregnant in the first place? Of course, I knew the answer: broken condom. But why? Why wasn’t I pregnant right now?
“We need more drinks,” Jenna stated over the loud music. We all nodded and followed her back to the bar.
“More shots?” Brooke asked. Shots were easy, and exactly what we needed to get drunk—fast.
“Yeah. Let’s just do Fireball now,” I suggested. You could never go wrong with a shot of alcohol that also freshened your breath.
“Yes, Fireball,” Kym agreed.
Brooke turned toward the bar and ordered us the shots. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, giving her a hug. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” It had been six months since she’d had her last radiation treatment. It had taken her some time to recover and get her energy back, and it hadn’t helped that I’d been going through my own ordeal after losing my baby, but we’d both pulled through.
“Me, too,” she replied and hugged me back.
The bartender placed the four shots in front of us, and I grabbed two, handing one of them to Kym as I turned around. Brooke handed one to Jenna after she’d paid for the shots.
“Who’s toasting now?” I asked.
Kym smiled and held up her glass of the amber liquid. “May the best of your past be the worst of your future. Cheers.”
We clinked our shot glasses together and then downed the cinnamon whisky. “We need another,” I suggested.
Brooke started to turn back around to the bar but stopped to stare at the person standing next to me. I looked up into the stranger’s eyes and smiled tightly, trying to be polite but not interested.
“Trying to drink your mistake away?” he asked.
I arched a brow as I hissed, “Excuse me?”
“Vegas. Drinking.” He ran his fingers along my sash. “Getting married.”
“You think getting married is a mistake?” Who the fuck was this guy?
“It was for me. Best night of my life wasn’t my wedding night. It was the night the divorce papers were finalized.”
“Good for you,” I replied sarcastically.
He smirked. “Why don’t you come up to my room and enjoy one final night before you make your fiancé miserable?”
“Look, dude. You need to go,” Kym interjected.
“I’m not speaking to you,” he snapped.
Kym took a step forward. “Well, I’m speaking to you. We don’t want you here.”
“Let me get this straight. You came to Vegas—to a club—and you don’t want to get laid?” He motioned around the bar as though to prove his point. “Haven’t you heard Vegas’s slogan?”
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. “Yeah, but you know what doesn’t stay in Vegas?” I jeered. I was done with this guy.
He cocked a brow and grinned. “What’s that?”
“An STD. Now get the fuck out of here.” I started to walk away, hoping my friends would follow, but before I could take more than two steps, a hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me. I was spun back around and into the stranger’s arms. “Let me go!” I ordered, pushing at his chest with my free hand.
“No,” he replied.
“I suggest you let her go before we have a problem,” someone I didn’t know interrupted. I was thankful she was trying to help. She was in perfect shape, had long brown hair, and looked like a badass by the death glare she was giving this guy. I wouldn’t want to mess with her.
“No one’s talking to you,” the man replied. He was strong and not letting go of my wrist.
“I’m talking to you. If you don’t let her go, I will have you removed.”
The guy grinned. “I know the owner. He’d never throw me out.”
The badass women took a step closer to him and got in his face. “And I know almost every cop in this city. I suggest you let her go before I arrest you.”
“You’re a cop?” His hand loosened a little at his own question.
“Something like that.”
“Prove it,” he stated, and his eyes looked down as though he was looking for her gun. She didn’t have one that I could see.
The woman grinned and dug into her small silver clutch, pulling out what looked like a man’s black wallet. She flipped it open and thrust the inside view into the guy’s face. “I’m not going to warn you again.”
His gaze flicked to the contents of the wallet, and he finally released my wrist. I rubbed at the area that slightly hurt from his grip. Without a word, he turned and left.
“Thank you,” I stated, still rubbing my wrist.
“You’re welcome. Are you okay?” I nodded. “Sorry to inter
ject, but a guy should never put his hands on a woman, and it looked as though you needed a little help.”
“Thank you. We didn’t know that guy at all,” Brooke stated.
“Hopefully he won’t be back. If he does, come find me.”
“Thank you,” I said again. “I’m Nicole. This is Brooke, Kym, and Jenna.”
She smiled. “Joss.”
“Are you really a cop?” Kym asked.
“FBI,” Joss replied.
“Wow. You’re an FBI agent?” Jenna asked.
Joss smiled. “I am.”
“That’s really cool,” Kym gushed. We all nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, it can be,” Joss replied.
“Thank you again.” I wasn’t sure what would have happened if she hadn’t stepped in. My luck, I would have punched him in the face and had to call Avery to bail me out of jail the morning of our wedding.
“No problem, and congrats on getting married. I got married a few months ago, and I’m actually here celebrating my best friend’s bachelorette party.”
“Oh, that’s cool. Maybe we’ll see you all out on the dance floor.”
“Maybe.” Joss smiled. “Actually, why don’t the four of you join us? We have a table.”
“Really?” I beamed.
“Yeah. Let me just use the ladies’ room and then we can walk over together.”
“We don’t want to impose,” Brooke chimed in.
“Not imposing. It will be fun having a bigger group.”
“Okay.” I grinned wider. We all used the restroom and freshened up before following our new friend to a red leather booth.
“Ladies, I made some new friends,” Joss stated, and three other women looked up.
I smiled. “Hi. I’m Nicole, and this is Brooke, Kym, and Jenna.”
“The bride-to-be is Cat,” Joss introduced us. “This is Autumn, and this is the very pregnant Tessa.”
The Halo Series Boxed Set Page 79
