Page 88 of Blue Hawaiian
By the time the cupcakes were frosted, decorated, and boxed up, Jess had started checking her phone every five minutes. The last two texts she’d received from Gabi had been somewhat frantic, making her regret her offer to deliver the cupcakes personally. On the upside, the hour-long wait gave her time to reconnect with Connor. Once the ice between them had thawed, they eased into a comfortable conversation and enjoyed the beautiful summer morning.
After dropping off the cupcakes at the resort kitchen, Jess raced up to her room. She barely had time to shower, dress, and dry her hair before Gabi texted her with a ten-minute warning. She wanted all the bridesmaids to assemble in her suite before the photos so they could put the finishing touches on their hair and makeup together.
As Jess checked out her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she had to credit her sister’s taste. The bridesmaids’ dresses were not only beautiful but flattering as well. Her dress was a strapless lavender confection that fell to her knees in a series of layers. The design enhanced her figure, while the light color brought out her newly acquired tan. She slipped on a pair of nude heels, grabbed her clutch purse, and left her room.
When she stepped into Gabi’s suite, she stood, transfixed. Her sister hadn’t been kidding about the aquarium. It was easily six feet tall and filled with colorful tropical fish.
Gabi enveloped her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I was terrified you wouldn’t make it back in time.”
“It’s all good. The cupcakes are in capable hands. They’re going to set them up in a couple of artfully decorated towers, as per your instructions.” She gave her sister a teasing grin. “Chef Lani said you wereveryinsistent.”
“You know me. Even when things don’t go according to plan, I need to take control.”
“I can vouch they’re delicious. Connor and I shared a few while we were waiting for them to get frosted.”
Gabi arched her eyebrows. “I thought you two were at odds.”
“We were. But the trolley wasn’t running, and I needed quick, reliable transport, so I sucked it up and called him.” She couldn’t stop the sappy smile that spread across her face. “I’m glad we went together because it gave us a chance to talk. And we got to help you out. It doesn’t make up for the shit storm we caused last night, but—”
“But you know I forgave you, right? You’ve been a huge help this week. I’d rather have you standing beside me as my maid of honor than a twenty-foot tower of cupcakes.”
“Thanks.” For the first time since she came to Maui, Jess no longer felt like thesecond-stringmaid of honor. Or the second-string anything. “Speaking of which, Connor thought you’d be satisfied with a tower of donuts.”
Gabi’s smile bubbled into laughter. “You’re kidding.” When Jess shook her head, Gabi laughed harder. “Thank yousomuch for talking him out of it.”
Their mom showed up a few minutes later along with Marc’s mom, and Paige, Luisa, and Victoria. Right on their heels were the wedding coordinator and her assistant. While the coordinator reviewed the details of the ceremony, her assistant pinned tropical flowers in everyone’s hair. They were almost ready when a knock came at the door.
Jess answered it and found Brody in the hall, looking spiffy in his tux. His eyes were a little red, but otherwise, he gave no sign he was recovering from an epic bender.
“Hey, Jess. Marc wanted me to tell you the photographer’s ready.”
“Perfect,” she said. “We’ll be down in a few minutes.”
He gestured for her to come into the hallway. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”
His hushed voice made her tense up. She went out with him and closed the door behind her. “Everything okay? Please tell me there are no last-minute emergencies.”
“Nope. I wanted to catch you alone.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel terrible about what happened last night.”
Poor Brody. He’d suffered even more than she had. “You remember all of it?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He winced. “I was a drunken asshole.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. You were upset about Taylor and got drunk. It happens.”
“But I told everyone your secrets. That was a dick move.”
Yesterday, she might have snapped at him, but she wasn’t angry anymore. Especially after the morning she’d spent with Connor.
“It’s partly my fault for not telling the truth to begin with,” she said. “If I’d been honest, none of this would have happened.”
“I screwed things up for you and Connor, didn’t I?”
She gave a sad shrug. “It wasn’t going to last. It was just a fling.”
“Are you sure? Because it seemed like more.”
If only.She and Connor might have come to a truce at the bakery, but that didn’t mean they had any hope of a future together. “Nope. Just a vacation romance.”
