Page 36 of Feels Like the First Time
Almost as fun as seeing him smile at how great the night had turned out. As promised, Bridget had included him in everything, even asking him to come to the appetizer tasting, and sleeping at his house last night.
Ali hadn’t seen her dad that content since he’d had both girls under his roof for Christmas morning, two years ago. Not caring that they were grown women, he’d put reindeer paws around the fireplace, left cookie crumbs and a half-empty glass of milk, even dressed up like Santa to hand out the presents.
He was so happy he’d spent most of the evening shaking hands, talking to neighbors, introducing himself to Bridget’s friends.
“Jamie is a sailor, too,” Gail said proudly, and Ali could tell she was trying to bring the conversation back to a topic where she could participate. “He’s taking Bridget sailing around the Gulf for their honeymoon.”
“Bridget gets seasick,” Ali pointed out.
Gail waved an elegant hand. “They have pills for that.”
Ali might have laughed at her mother’s comment, but Marty sent her an even gaze. “Jamie told me it’s an eighty-five-footer. Complete with hot tub, four guest suites, and a putting green on the back. No sail. I think she’ll be fine.”
“Thank goodness,” Gail said, placing a hand on Marty’s arm and leaning in so her hands weren’t the only thing brushing up against her ex-husband. “It’s already booked. For right after the wedding.”
“They’ve set a date?” Marty asked, his voice even, but Ali could tell that he was feeling left out.
“Three weeks from tomorrow.” Gail fanned herself. “Talk about a whirlwind wedding, but I have a lead on a venue that’s about twenty minutes north of here, right on the ocean.” She turned to Loraine. “One person’s failed wedding is another person’s happily ever after.”
“She’s still looking to get married around here?” Marty said with a big smile, and Ali was as surprised, and pleased, as her dad. Bridget having her wedding nearby allowed Marty to be a part of every step, without the tax on his body from travel.
“She seems set on it.”
“Well, that sounds like a reason to celebrate. How about I go get us all a slice of that cake over there. The chocolate one.” Marty was practically foaming at the mouth.
“I’ll get it, Dad, right after I get you some celebratory broccoli and ranch,” Ali said, feeling like a parent with a challenging child. “Anyone else?”
“Well, be sure to grab some club soda, just in case.” Gail’s eyes darted around the room and a small crease appeared between her brows. A very small,I’ve had a face-liftcrease. “And maybe find Hawk. I hope he didn’t leave yet—the games are about to begin and I know how much he likes Trivial Pursuit.”
Understatement, HawklovedTrivial Pursuit. Even had a victory dance, which, irritatingly enough, he got to use more than Ali would like to admit.
“Hawk didn’t leave. He’s just getting something from the storage room,” Ali assured her, although Gail looked anything but. “And what games?” She looked at Marty, who was looking back equally confused. “Bridget didn’t say anything about playing games or I would have planned something.”
Not that she would have knownwhatto plan. Her friends played games like Pin the Junk on the Hunk and Condom Toss. And if her mom was concerned about a little wine on her dress, then an exploding condom filled with whipped cream was probably out.
“Don’t worry, dear, I thought ahead.” Gail pulled a packet of papers out of her purse and handed them to Ali. “Bridget was concerned it might make you uncomfortable to play, but I assured her that this is her day and there was nothing to feel uncomfortable about.”
Ali looked down at the papers and shrugged. “What could be so bad about Couples Trivial Pursuit?”
“Nothing as far as I can see. It is simple—people team up in pairs.” She batted her lined lashes at Marty. “You can be mine,” she whispered. “Then each team answers questions about the bride-to-be, the same questions I already asked Jamie to answer. Whoever gets the most correct wins.”
Okay, pretty standard party game. It looked like a list of questions that would evoke lots of laughter. Not Ali’s kind of party game, but fun all the same. “I still don’t see how that would make me uncomfortable.”
“That’s what I said, but then Bridget read the questions I’d asked Jamie, and got all upset. Then she said you were planning the party, and I’d be stepping on your toes.”
Overwhelmed with all the different needs her family required to make it through the night without someone collectively losing their shit, Ali felt the impossible expectations close in on her. She could give a rat’s ass what transpired at the party. In the end, what mattered most was Marty’s happiness. Which meant pandering to keep Gail busy and pampering Bridget. God, she felt like she was a kid all over again. “I’m okay with it. How about you, Dad?”
Marty mumbled something about anything that makes his girl happy is fine with him when Ali read a little farther down the list—and stopped breathing. BeneathWHERE DID THE BRIDE AND GROOM MEET?and aboveGROOM’S FAVORITE COLOR?was a question sure to make someone uncomfortable. And it wouldn’t be Ali.
HAS THE BRIDE EVER BEEN SKINNY-DIPPING?
The answer would be yes. With Hawk. It was the night Ali knew her sister was going to marry Hawk or get frostbite trying. Lucky for Bridget, and all of her elegant fingers and pedied toes, it didn’t take until the next winter for Hawk to get down on one knee.
He’d fallen for her sister at, “Hello.”
Then there was three down:WILDEST THING THE BRIDE HAS EVER DONE?
Join the mile-high club. Again, with Hawk.
