That’s enough to get me to sit up. “What did she say?”
“She told Sarah to mind her own business and to stop being mean toward somebody she likes. Kylie never stands up to any of those girls; I want you to understand that right off the bat. So, to hear her say that was just short of miraculous.”
“Wow! I mean, I don’t want to be the reason that they start fighting …”
“How many times do I have to tell you? You’re not the reason. She is. For the most part, everybody was concerned about you. Briggs filled us all in and told us not to worry about it before he came back here.”
She shakes her head, her eyebrows jumping up and down. “I don’t know what you did to him, but you definitely had an effect. He was practically frenzied, Kitty. I’m not kidding. He wanted to make sure you had everything you needed, including that oatmeal.”
“Speaking of which.” I jump up out of bed to go to the bathroom and wash my face, which is no easy feat. I don’t want to clog up the pipes with the oatmeal, so I have to try to take it off with a washcloth as carefully as I can before washing the rest away.
I should’ve known Hayley wouldn’t be put off so easily. Just because I walked away from our conversation didn’t mean she was going to let it go.
Watching from the doorway, she teases, “He likes you.”
I catch her eye in the mirror. She’s enjoying this way too much.
“What is this, middle school?”
“No. If it were middle school, I would sing, Briggs and Kitty sitting in a tree …”
“You’re adorable, you know that?”
“Says the girl with dried-up oatmeal all over her face.”
I stick my tongue out. “Okay, I like him too. Are you happy? You were right. He’s a nice guy, we get along well, and who knows? Maybe I need somebody to look out for me a little bit since I clearly cannot take care of myself.”
“You really haven’t had very good luck this week, have you?”
“I think we both know it could be worse though.”
“Knowing you? Without a doubt.”
Now that my face looks a little more like my own and less like that of a horror-movie villain, I’m pleased with the results of my overnight oatmeal mask. The rest of my skin is back to normal too—thank goodness. I wouldn’t want to show up in any pictures from the wedding, looking the way I did last night.
“So? Did he spend the night?”
I can’t help but laugh at the very idea. “Once again, I was in no condition.”
“I’m not saying anything had to happen. I was wondering if he slept over.”
“No, he went back to his room. Honestly, I don’t even remember that happening. I took a second dose of the meds, and that was enough to knock me out. I don’t think I moved all night, to be honest.”
“Aww, he tucked you in and left you to sleep. How cute.”
“Would you shut up?”
“I’m not being snarky or sarcastic or anything. I really do think it’s cute. Very sweet. I overheard Zack saying he’s never seen Briggs act that way before over a girl, and they’ve known each other practically their whole lives.”
Part of me sincerely wishes she would stop talking about things like this because all it does is make me like him more while convincing me of his feelings.
This is dangerous territory.
“I’m sure things won’t be the same way once we go back to our regular lives.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Come on. It’s fine to be flirty and sweet and cute while we’re here, at the resort, and the rest of our lives are on the back burner. We’ll both go back to work. He’ll be out at the family’s second home, probably reconnecting with old friends, and I’ll be some girl he helped through a hard time during the wedding week.”
“I don’t think you give yourself nearly enough credit, but that’s always been the case.”
“You’re biased.”
“Listen, girl, I saw him last night. I saw the way he acted when you started getting all splotchy. He was really concerned. He didn’t think twice about bringing you back to the room even though it meant leaving the party. He burst into the kitchen, demanding they provide oatmeal for you to soothe your skin since they were the ones who made you have a reaction.”
My eyes widen in surprise.
“Yes, he did,” she insists.
“Over me?”
“Over you, you dork. He really likes you. So, please, for the love of God, kiss the man tonight. At least do that much.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be there to direct the whole thing?”
“You’re impossible.” She lets out an exasperated sigh before walking away. “Do what you need to do in there and make it snappy. I need to take a shower before the hair and makeup people get here.”
Right. I’ll be on my own for most of the day while she and her family and the other bridesmaids get ready.
That’s fine by me, honestly, since I feel a little stiff and achy. My skin might look better, but I’m still slightly inflamed on the inside. I could use a little time with my project too.
I’m seated out on the patio with my laptop when Hayley sticks her head out.
“I’m headed over to the bridal suite now. I’ll see you out there?”
“You sure will. Have fun, okay? Make sure to remind your sister to breathe and relax.”
“You mean, the way you did?” She steps outside and throws her arms around my shoulders. “She told me last night. How you talked to her and made her feel better the day of the snorkeling lesson. I should’ve known you had something to do with it. It’s like she’s been a completely different person since then. And she’s been a lot nicer to me too. She’s been going out of her way to be, you know, sisterly. More so than she’s ever been before.”
“I didn’t want to make it seem like everything was about me, so I didn’t say anything about it.”
“Of course not, because that’s how you are.” She gives me another quick hug. “Thank you. Seriously, you’ve saved her so much frustration and pain. Otherwise, she would’ve looked back and hated herself for missing the whole thing.”
“You’d better go before I get all emotional.”
She giggles. “Yeah, and I can’t show up for my makeup with puffy eyes. Kylie will forgive a lot of things now, but I don’t think she’d be cool with any of us ruining her pictures. Even me.”
“Go, go. I need to get some writing done anyway. There are so many hours to kill.”
“Don’t forget to relax a little. We’re flying home tomorrow afternoon.”
As if I needed the reminder.
I don’t want to waste a minute here. Really, I don’t. But my brain is buzzing, and I know better than to squander this surge of creativity. I had a stellar night’s sleep—the fact that there’s hardly any oatmeal smeared on the pillowcase or in my hair is a testament to how thoroughly I passed out—and I feel refreshed and ready to go.
Besides, what would I do otherwise? Probably get a sunburn or something. Maybe break a bone for good measure. Give Sarah and her pals something to laugh themselves sick about.