“Me, too. I hope they’re having fun.”
“Are you and Rafe doing okay?” she asks.
“Things were a little awkward at first, but they are calming down. We’re growing more comfortable with each other. And now that sex is involved—”
“Sex is involved?” she interrupts. “Oh, man, I can’t wait to hear about this. And I’ll want all the details. Shane, hurry. I need to get to Annika.”
“I’m going as fast as I’m allowed under the penalty of law,” I hear him reply.
“Go faster,” she replies. “Okay, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“See you soon.”
I hang up and dig in, truly wanting to be settled into this closet.
A couple of hours later, with an empty latte cup on the ottoman, all of my things are on hangers or tucked into drawers. My bags are on shelves. Shoes organized.
It’s glorious.
And now, I have to pack to go see my best friend marry the love of her life.
Chapter 12
~Annika~
“Carmine and Nadia just arrived,” Rafe says as he walks into our hotel suite and sits on the bed next to me, where I’m nursing a hangover. Ivie and I had one too many celebratory shots of tequila last night.
Or seven too many.
But the drunk sex when Rafe and I got back to the room was so worth it.
“I brought you coffee,” Rafe adds.
“Oh, thank God.” I take the mug from him and take a long, grateful sip. “My God, I drank too much last night. And the worst part is, we’ll probably do it all again tonight.”
“You don’t have to drink,” he reminds me and pushes my hair over my shoulder. “You can pass.”
“Yeah, I might do that. We’ll see how things shake out. Now, I have to get myself together so I can hurry up to Ivie’s suite and help her get ready.”
“I’m meeting with the guys here in a little while. We’re going to get ready in Carmine’s room and when we’re all good to go, we’ll meet up with you ladies in the lobby.”
“That sounds good.” I take a deep breath, another sip of coffee, and lean over to rest my head on Rafe’s shoulder. “I’m glad we came. It’s a fun distraction.”
“Did you need to be distracted?”
“No, but it’s a good one all the same.” I sigh. “Okay, I need to hop in the shower and get over there.”
“I’d join you, but I’m worried that Shane will eat all the bacon.” He kisses me on the nose, then pulls me off the bed. “Have fun. Call me if you need me.”
“Same goes.” I wave as Rafe heads for the door, grabbing his bag on the way out. When the door closes behind him, I take another deep breath.
I’m in Vegas, with all of the people I love the most, and I’m with Rafe. For the first time ever, I don’t have to pretend that I don’t love him. Everyone knows that we’re together.
The shower helps to rejuvenate me, and by the time I wrap myself in a robe, pile my wet hair in a knot on top of my head, and gather all of my supplies to head over to Ivie’s room, I almost feel like myself again. Which is good because Ivie’s getting married, and I want to feel my best.
I make sure I have my room key in my bag and then head down the hall to Ivie’s room. We’re all staying at the Wynn, and we’ve taken over a floor of suites.
Because, of course, we have.
We’re two wealthy families, which means that while Ivie may be eloping, it’ll still be done in style.
I don’t have to knock on the door because Shane’s coming out of the room as I arrive.
“Hey,” he says with a grin. “The other two are waiting for you.”
“Thanks. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fantastic. The day can’t go fast enough for me.”
He holds the door for me, then waves at Ivie, who’s just seen me, and claps her hands in excitement.
“See you soon, babe,” he says and lets the door close behind me.
“He’s about to be my husband,” Ivie says before throwing her arms around me in a big hug. “How do you feel?”
“Hungover. Why aren’t you in pain?”
“I was for a few minutes but then I took a shower. Now, I’m fine. Nadia just ordered all the food in the world, and we have hair and makeup people coming in about an hour.”
“Whoa.” I stop cold and stare at my cousin after rounding the corner to the dining room. She’s tanned and looks damn happy with herself. “You’re gorgeous. Obviously, the honeymoon agrees with you.”
“I’d like to be on a honeymoon all the time,” Nadia replies as she stands and wraps her arms around me. “It’s going well. And this was a fun surprise to throw into the mix.”
“Food’s here!” Ivie announces at the sound of the doorbell.
“She’s so happy,” Nadia whispers to me. “She’s giddy. I’ve never seen her like this. Ever.”
“I know, and I like it. She’s excited to marry him. He makes her happy.”
“Clearly.” Nadia turns her shrewd eyes to me. “When’s it your turn?”
“He hasn’t asked me. Besides, it’s too soon.”
“He’ll ask,” she says simply as a man rolls a big table full of food into the room. “You can leave that there. We’ll take over.”
After he collects his tip and leaves, we each pile plates full of food and sit at the table.
“So, you’re getting hitched.” Nadia shoves some melon into her mouth. “I want to see the dress.”
“After I eat. I don’t want to mess it up,” Ivie replies. “Tell us about your honeymoon. Where have you been again?”
“Bora Bora,” she says. “Let’s just say it’s been nothing but sex, lying in the sun, eating all the food, and more sex.”
“God, that sounds horrible.” I shake my head, feeling only a little jealous. “Your skin is glowing. Is that from all the sun, or all the sex?”
“Both.” Nadia eats a strawberry and turns to Ivie. “Are you and Shane taking a honeymoon?”
“Not right away. I don’t know where I want to go. He said we can go literally anywhere, and that overwhelmed me, so I’m thinking about it.”
“There’s a resort in Bora Bora I can recommend,” Nadia says with a wink. “Do we have time to go shopping? Or should we wait until after the wedding?”
“Depends on what we’re shopping for,” I reply. “Actually, strike that. No, we don’t have time. When Nadia shops, it’s an Olympic event. We’d better save that for tomorrow.”
“I never got Carmine a wedding gift,” she says. “And it’s been bothering me. He not only got me this ridiculous rock but he also bought me a new car. Like, a whole car. A Porsche. I mean, who does that?”
“The Martinellis,” Ivie and I say in unison, making us laugh.
“What are you going to get him?” I ask her.
“There’s a special Rolex that I want to get him. And it’s rare. But I made some calls on the down-low, and a boutique here has one in stock. They’re holding it for me.”