Page 21 of Charming
Groaning, I rub my head feeling like my hangover headache is returning, “Oh, God, I’m such a mess, but that reminds me, how was your night anyway?”
“Oh no, we aren’t changing the subject. Besides, trust me when I say your night was much more interesting. The guy I was with passed out on me before we got to the good stuff. I spent the evening worried about you and wondering where you were until I saw the picture you posted. And for the record, you aren’t a mess. I’m only teasing you. I honestly think this is a really good thing.”
“How in the hell is this a good thing? I’m fighting the urge to vomit because the butterflies in my stomach are making me sick, and you’re over there smiling like you just won a year supply of shoes from your favorite store.”
“I’m smiling because this is just what you need.”
Sitting up, I give her my best stink eye, “How can you say that?” I begin twisting my hands in my lap, “What the hell was I thinking agreeing to be with him this week? Why did I not insist that we take care of things immediately? I’m completely out of my mind. You know, I should call the airline, see if I can get a flight out tomorrow too.”
“You sure as hell are not!”
Ignoring her, I continue, “And then when we get back, you can drive me to the nearest mental institution and check me the hell in because I’ve lost my fucking mind, Katie.”
“Over my dead body.”
“I’m serious.”
“Calm down,” Katie says sitting up too and leaning toward me so she can rub my back soothingly. Speaking in a low, calm voice she directs, “Take a deep breath.” I do as she says. “Come on, Ella, don’t you think you deserve some fun? Just like Asher said?”
“God yes, I do. But-”
“No. No ‘but’ – I don’t want to hear it. Your life has been full of shit that happens to you. One big massive avalanche of shit that smacks you with one thing after another. The death of your mother, your father getting remarried to a demon from hell, her daughter being a hell spawn too, then the sudden and unexpected death of your father. Don’t even get me started on the choices you had to make for his company, how hard you have worked and the sacrifices you have made, how angry Angelica was over the whole thing, and on top of that agreeing to marry Jeremy even though you knew better. Then you have a relationship with him that goes nowhere, you try to force it anyway then have that blow up in your face. My god Ella, for once, something is happening in your life that’s exciting and full of possibility. You have a chance to let go and fucking take a gigantic leap into fun. And hell, you deserve that. And lots more. You have more than earned the right to it all and to let go and not worry about consequences for once in your life.”
“You make me sound pathetic.”
“No, I’m just stating the truth. And the fact is, it’s one week. One week that could end up being one of the best weeks of your life. For god sakes, you should be jumping up and down at the chance, not panicking. Let your inner party girl out to play, she’s suffocating to death in there.”
“You act like I haven’t made any of my own decisions throughout my life. That’s not the case – I’m not some victim. Ichoseto take the CEO position at dad’s company, Ichoseto get in a relationship with Jeremy, I’m the one who said yes to his proposal and went through planning a wedding when I knew I didn’t really love him in the way that would result in the marriage I wanted. They may have been shitty decisions, but they were still mine.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, and I sure as hell don’t see you as a victim. You are one of the strongest and toughest women I know. I do think, however, that your decisions would have been different if your life circumstances weren’t what they are.”
“Well, whatever. It is what it is.”
“Yes, that’s true, but only over my creepy shredded nasty zombie body will you not take Asher up on his offer. I know you already did, but clearly you’re questioning yourself. Well, I won’t let you back out of your agreement, so knock it the hell off. You are going to have a fantastic week, full of new experiences and incredible sex. Then you will report in to me and tell me all of the details. Anything less is unacceptable.”
“Fine. I’ll do it. I’ve got nothing to lose. I will not, however give you any details about the sex.”
“What? That’s a best friend party foul. There’s a commandment - best friends shall tell their best friends about the amazing sex they’re having. Especially when said best friend is having no amazing sex of her own.”
“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you have a commandment for everything.”
“Only when it suits my needs.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I laugh and then it turns into a sigh as I eye my friend and my heart warms and I feel grateful once again for her friendship. “God, I wish you weren’t leaving in the morning.”
“I know, me too, especially now. But I have to get back to work. Plus, you need to enjoy paradise with your new hubby without me in tow.”
“Will you stop saying that? You act like this is a real marriage. It isn’t.”
“You have a piece of paper that says otherwise. And a ring, I see.”
No sooner does she utter those words, than I feel a tingle at the back of my neck and I know instinctively that Asher has arrived at the pool. Feeling a magnetic pull, I turn and find him walking toward me with a large smile on his gorgeous face. I let my eyes enjoy the journey from the top of his head to his feet and they want to weep with joy at the sight. The man is insanely good looking. A flash of him naked runs through my mind and I bite my lip.
“Hello, Katie,” he greets her first and she returns it in a high-pitched breathless voice. I just barely resist rolling my eyes, and stand to say hello. I’m surprised when Asher takes me in his arms, and gives me a loud smacking kiss on the lips. “Hi wifey.” My mouth drops open in surprise and Katie laughs along with two people that followed Asher over. They must be a couple of his friends.
“Well hello to you too,” I finally compose myself enough to say, but almost swoon at the smile he’s giving me. I can’t see his eyes given the mirrored aviator sunglasses he’s sporting, but I swear I can feel them burning into my skin as he eyes me up and down and checks me out in my white bikini. In seconds a lust filled haze surrounds us and I run my tongue along my lower lip as I check him out brazenly in return. I may have been drunk last night, but the longer I’ve been awake, I’ve increasingly remembered our night together – maybe not as clearly as I’d like, but it’s definitely enough. Looking at him now, I realize how game I am for a repeat. Like now.Yeah. Now would be good.
I’m wondering if he can read my mind because he begins moving closer to me once more and everything else seems to disappear. It’s just him and me and all my focus is on his mouth as it comes closer to mine. My eyes close in preparation, but a throat clearing breaks the spell and my eyes open and Asher pulls back looking both annoyed and chagrined, but he doesn’t let go of me. Turning to his friends, I see them standing there looking at us and my cheeks flush and I hear Katie laugh softly.
