It’s overwhelmingly wonderful to see all these friendly faces. But it’s weird too. They’re here because I failed at marriage. Thank god there are other uncoupled people here as well, like Elodie and Juliet and Carter and others. I paste on a smile I try desperately to feel.
“Thank you all for coming,” Juliet begins. “I just want to say it wasn’t easy to convince my fabulous sister to let me throw a party for her. Rachel resisted more than a few times. But I’m used to winning her over.
“When we were kids, I always had to convince her to take me to the beach, to bring me to the mall, to sneak out for ice cream. And I won her over this time, too, but it’s not just because I grew up doing it.” Juliet turns to me, her expression heartfelt, her green eyes full of affection. “I threw this party because I love you, Rachel. And I’m pretty sure all of us do. We want you to know we’re here for you as you embark on this next phase. Let it be the best part of your life. Let’s celebrate the awesomeness of divorce!” She lifts her glass, and everyone erupts into cheers as she shouts a hearty, “Congratulations!”
In one bold word—congratulations—all my misgivings slink away.
I am glad I got out of my marriage. I’m glad I found out the truth before more time went by. I’m glad I’m living a real, true, authentic life now.
Not a lie.
I lift my glass. “To family. And to friendship,” I say, and for a few seconds, my eyes lock with Carter’s across the room, and it’s as if everyone else melts into the background.
He holds my gaze with a fierceness that means the world to me. A tenderness too. And it’s kind of hard to look away from him since tingles are rushing down my skin.
I jerk my gaze back to Juliet. “Thank you so much. You put the pushy into pushy little sister, and I love you for it.”
“Love you,” she says, then kisses me on the cheek, and it’s sweet and stirs up all my emotions all over again.
The piano player kicks into a poppy Stone Zenith tune as the guests head to the casino tables. Juliet pulls me into a corner of the room, calling over Hazel and Elodie too. When it’s just us chickadees, Juliet gives an impish grin and says, “And we have another surprise for you.”
“What is it?” I ask, equally excited and worried. My besties give good gifts—like vibrators and sassy T-shirts and hot, hot, hot dresses—but they also push me out of my comfort zone.
With a nod to Hazel, Juliet says to me, “Someone might have told me you were dreaming of pajamas earlier.”
Hazel shrugs coquettishly. “Me? That was me? Okay, fine. It was so me.”
“Is this going where I think it’s going?” I ask, a frisson of hope whisking through me.
Juliet nods quickly. “We rallied. We heard your cries for help. And when this party ends at midnight, a limo is picking us up and taking us back to Elodie’s place where we’re having…a pajama party! Girls only.”
I gasp. “I haven’t had a pajama party in ages.”
“I know. Your ex was a dick for many reasons, but partly because he hated fun. You’re back home now, and life is going to be extra joyous,” Juliet declares like she’s going to make it so.
I glance at the sequins hugging my body. “But all I have is this dress. And Carter was going to take me home,” I say, and I’m a little bummed I won’t get to spend more time with him, but maybe it’s for the best I’m not in close quarters with his…well, his whole entire freaking body.
“I’ll tell him,” Juliet says breezily. “Also, Hazel picked up jammies for you and they’re at Elodie’s home.”
“Do they have pockets?” I ask eagerly.
Hazel rolls her eyes. “Do I look like a monster? Obviously, they have pockets. And we have wine there too.”
“We’ll save the cheesecake bars for the after-party,” Elodie says.
“What about Amanda?” I ask, since Elodie is raising her little sister all by herself.
“She’s having a sleepover at a friend’s. The place is ours,” Elodie says.
Wow. I get to have a divorce party here, then a pajama party there.
Maybe it’ll be enough to erase the sexy thoughts of Carter that are rapidly occupying my brain.
Maybe.
It’s kind of hard though. I’ve been to parties with Carter before. Picnics, barbecues, friendsgivings, and countless brunches.
But I’ve never, ever been so aware of where he was in a room until tonight. I’ve never been so aware of where another person was, period. Even as I say hi to all the guests, I can’t help but steal glances at Carter.
While he’s chatting with his brother.
While he’s talking to Drew.
While he’s grabbing a drink with Gabe at the bar.
And now, while I’m standing near the piano, drinking champagne and catching up with Ellie on her life in Los Angeles writing a popular TV series, Carter is talking to Gabe—and they’re four feet away from us.
“Gigi and I miss you so much,” Ellie says to me with a playful pout.
“I miss you too.” Leaving the new friends I made in Venice over the last few years was the hardest part of taking off. “How is the little darling?”
“My mother is obsessed with her granddog. Yes, she’s actually started calling her that,” Ellie says.
“Well, obviously.”
“Which also means I have the world’s best dog sitter right in the family. And I’m trying not to miss Gigi too much while we’re gone.”
Gabe leans into the conversation, clearing his throat. “Sweetheart, you called the dog sitter four times today.”
I crack up. “I’m not surprised.”
Ellie snaps her gaze to Gabe. “You’re one to talk. You made Mom put Gigi on FaceTime.”
“Busted,” Carter says, with the glee of catching a friend in the act. “You’re like a helicopter dog dad.”
Gabe snarls at Carter then grumbles something about playing poker with Drew.
When Gabe leaves, Ellie waves Carter closer, and he joins our circle, making me even more aware of him and…wait…What is that yummy smell? Is that his bodywash? And has the ocean always been so smoking hot?
No time to linger, though, since Ellie’s steering the convo, and she looks like she’s ready to issue a declaration as she sets a hand on my arm. “I’m glad you’re remaking yourself here with friends and family, Rachel. San Francisco looks good on you.” She turns to Carter, her boss mode activated. “And you’re looking out for my girl?”
Carter’s all resolute as he nods. “Absolutely.”
“Good. You’d better be my eyes and ears. I want you bringing her soup if she gets sick. I want you to binge-watch TV shows with her at least once a week,” she says, and I roll my eyes. I simultaneously love Ellie looking out for me and want to tell her to stop. I’m not that broken. Except, soup and TV does sound nice, even when I’m not sick. Maybe especially when I’m not sick. “And I definitely want you to do that nerdy thing you two always did,” Ellie adds.
“Puzzles,” I say in unison with Carter, then I continue, “Don’t worry. We’re on that.”