Page 14 of Blue Hawaiian
The hostility in her sister’s voice took Jess by surprise. “Why do you care?”
“Why?” Gabi clenched her fists. “Because he shattered your heart into a thousand pieces. And I was the one who helped you recover. If he wasn’t Marc’s cousin, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near our wedding. When it comes to women, Connor’s a total dick.”
A week ago, Jess would have agreed. But Connor hadn’t been a dick last night. He’d loaned her his shirt and fetched her a new key card without asking for anything in return. Except one drink. Even then, he’d behaved. “Maybe he’s changed.”
Gabi rubbed her forehead. “I know you were in love with him, butpleasedon’t delude yourself.”
“But—”
“Stop. I’m going to make an executive decision. I don’t want any Connor-drama at this wedding. Got it?”
Though Jess chafed at her sister’s tone, she reminded herself that Gabi was looking after her. Her older sister had been the one to prop up her battered ego after Connor left. Still, this trip was also her vacation. Heronlyvacation until she replenished her meager savings account.
“What makes you think there would be any drama?” she asked.
“You’re the biggest drama queen I know.” Gabi’s voice rose. “Every time you have a personal crisis, you suck up all the attention in the room. Youruinedmy graduation weekend.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Then why’d you go to Vic Sandovsky’s house party the night before my graduation? You knew what those parties were like. When the cops showed up, you were drunk and half-naked. Mamalovedgetting that call.”
“I’ll admit that was big mistake on my part.” She hadn’t even liked Vic very much. But after a few rum and Cokes, she’d let things get pretty far—at least until the cops arrived and broke up the party. Spending a few hours at the police station was nothing compared to the tongue-lashing she’d endured from her mom. Even now, the memory of that weekend made her face prickle with heat.
Gabi continued. “And what about my seventeenth birthday, when you had to be rushed to the emergency room?”
Another painful, stomach-churning memory. “I got food poisoning, remember?”
“Because you were the only one at the restaurant who tried to eat the Flaming Wings of Death. Once again, you had to steal the spotlight. I realize you like being ‘impulsive,’ but this is my wedding week. I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with your drama.” She clasped her hands together. “Please?”
The “please” did it. Besides, Gabi was right. Jess needed to grow up. She stood and faced her sister. “There will be zero drama at this wedding. I’m way more responsible now.”
More than ever, she was glad she hadn’t told Gabi she’d been laid off. Or that she was out of money and planned to move back home in a month. If she wanted to prove she was worthy of being her sister’s maid of honor, she needed to act like her life was under control. No big reveals. No tearful confessions. No meltdowns.
Above all, she couldn’t let her mom know or she’d fuss over Jess instead of Gabi. Once the wedding was over, she could tell everyone the truth. She’d handle the pity and the questions then. But not until Gabi received her long-awaited moment in the sun.
Gabi let out a long breath. “I trust you, so let’s move on. Okay?” When Jess nodded, Gabi handed her the shopping bag. “Here. Hopefully, your suitcase will arrive soon. If not, these clothes will get you through today.”
Jess sat back on the bed, setting the bag beside her. She pulled out a ruby-red bikini, a tropical-print cover-up, a bright fuchsia Hawaiian shirt, a minidress, and a pair of strappy sandals with precariously high heels. Her earlier frustration ebbed away.
“These are great. Thank you.”
Gabi beamed. “You’re welcome. I already had your measurements from ordering your dress, and the shoes are a loan from Victoria because you wear the same size. I thought the dress would look cute on you, but it’s a little short.”
Jess held the dress up against herself. Though it wasn’t much longer than Connor’s shirt, the jade-colored fabric shimmered beautifully under the light. Without looking at the price tag, she could tell it was a cut above her usual wardrobe choices, most of which came from Old Navy or H&M. Included in the shopping bag was a small cosmetics case, stuffed with basic makeup—mascara, eyeliner, foundation, blush, and lipstick. She tested the lipstick against her wrist, pleased at the bright coral color. Perfect for a tropical look.
“Thanks for everything,” she said.
“No problem. Glad I could help.”
Jess stared at Gabi. Her flat tone didn’t inspire confidence. “Are you okay?”
Gabi sat beside her on the bed. “This is a big undertaking. Six days of events, including the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. I want everything to be perfect.”
Jess placed her hand over her sister’s and gave it a squeeze. “You don’t have to try so hard. We’re in Maui. You could tell everyone to go fuck off and they’d still enjoy themselves.”
Gabi frowned. “I could never do that. The Blackwoods are expecting me to play hostess. I have to live up to their expectations.”
“Why? It’s not like you’re trying to impress a group of strangers. We’ve known them since we were kids. After all those summers at Big Bear, we’re practically family.” They’d eaten so many “second breakfasts” at the Blackwood Lodge that Jess could recall every detail of the kitchen, right down to the big Garfield mug she’d used to hold her daily cocoa.
