Page 81 of Four Fiances & I

“I’ll hold you to that,” I tease as Christian laughs.

“I’m sure you will.”

“Who’s going with you if Terry is here?”

“Sean’s doesn’t have anything going on, so Mykela’s with me. Now go and enjoy your evening. I know Verity has put a lot of work into everything.”

“I will. Be careful, Daddy, and message me when you get wherever you are going,” I order. I hear Christian promise he will before telling me he loves me and ending the call.

For a moment, I hold the phone to my chest and smile, thinking of having him with me for two whole weeks.

“I hope he knows not to call again,” Danielle warns with an arched brow when I walk back into the room.

“He just called to tell me he would be away for the night,” I reply, placing my phone on the coffee table.

“Is he taking McIntire with him?”

I turn to Abbi and frown.

“He didn’t mention anything, why?” I ask as she rolls her eyes and finishes her drink.

“Because that man is a pain in my arse! He’s always sniffing around and telling me what to do and where to go. He had the nerve to tell me not to drink much today.” She makes a point of filling her wine glass to the brim before taking a big sip. “As if I wasn’t going to drink at your hen party.”

“Is that why you’re on a mission to drink as much as possible?” Danielle laughs as Verity and I share a look.

Abbi has been drinking a lot today. She was started from lunch onwards, even at the health spa, where we spent the better half of the day. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she had a few drinks before lunch as she kept sneaking to the changing rooms.

“Hey, I’m just enjoying myself. It’s not every day you get to enjoy a wedding like Jasmine’s.” She declares, grinning at me before taking another deep drink.

“Can you believe it’s only a week until the wedding?” I turn to see Verity grinning at me. “I swear it feels like we started planning everything only yesterday,” she adds, filling two glasses.

“Tell me about it,” I laugh, taking a glass of champagne from her. “Who would have guessed at the start of this year, the two of us would be in happy, committed relationships with multiple guys,” I laugh as we clink glasses.

“Or friends with me,” Danielle smiles sheepishly.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect that at all!” I laugh as I toast with her. “Nor would I have met you,” I add, quickly tapping my glass against Abbi’s. “Which brings me to something I need to ask you.”

Abbi looks at me nervously.

“What?”

Smiling, I place my glass on the table and turn my full attention to my friend.

“I understand why you pulled out of being a bridesmaid, and I don’t want you to feel pressured into anything. Losing your dad the way you did was heartbreaking.”

“Why do I feel like there is abuton the way?” she asks, looking at the three of us, her eyes wide with worry.

“But, I wanted to let you know that the offer is still there if you have changed your mind. I completely understand if you still don’t want to, but I wanted you to know that I would still love you by my side if you wanted to be.”

Her eyes instantly fill with tears.

“Oh, Jaz, I would. I’ve regretted pulling out but thought it was too late. You get married in a week, and I don’t even have a dress.”

“Yes, you do,” I answer, passing her glass to Verity so I can take Abbi's hands in mine. “I never cancelled the order; it is still at the shop and ready for you to try on. They will alter it for you the same day we go for the final fittings, and it will be ready for the wedding.”

Tears slip through her lashes as she stares at me with a hand over her mouth.

“Are you serious?”

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