Page 94 of Bottle Shock
“Okay, everyone shut up for a second,” Elyse announces, slamming her margarita down just lightly enough not to spill. “I have something to tell you.”
We all turn toward her, giving her our full attention.
Marisa’s smile grows slow. Like she knows what’s coming.
Layla is already clapping softly like a seal.
Ariana looks confused, but happy to be part of whatever Elyse has planned.
And me? I’m gripping my water glass like my life depends on it because my emotional bandwidth is barely holding it together.
Elyse places both hands on the table, fingersspread. “Dominic and I—” she pauses for dramatic effect, her true talent “—are eloping.”
A beat.
Then the table erupts.
Squeals. Clinking glasses. Layla screaming, “I knew it!” Marisa wiping at her eyes. Ariana hugging Elyse so hard it looks like she might bruise her.
And me—smiling. Because Iamhappy for her. For them. They’ve been engaged since Dominic was hospitalized for the bullet he took for her, but they never discussed wedding plans with anyone. It’s never been a matter ofif, butwhenthey would finally make things official. And it’s well overdue.
Their love is the kind of love that withstands time and regret and mistakes, only for it to find its way back despite how long and hard the road was. No one deserves it more.
It’s beautiful.
And suddenly I want to cry. I did this massive thing behind her back—marrying her brother, keeping it a secret. We used to play dress-up and talk about our weddings, and I didn’t get to share any of it with her.
Marisa catches my eye, like she can hear every thought I’m not saying, and offers a sympathetic smile. Something about it steadies me, so I hold on to it and do my best to give Elyse the attention she deserves.
Elyse fans herself. “We’re going to the courthouse. Just us. No drama. No big fuss. We’ve waited too long and this just feels right. It feels like us.”
Marisa wipes another tear. “I should’ve worn waterproof mascara.”
“Same,” Ariana and Layla say at the same time, both mirroring each other in that way that twins do as they wipe the moisture beneath their eyes.
I stand, trying to be the best friend Elyse needs right now. “This calls for something bubbly,” I announce, raising mywater glass in the air. “Because my best friend is getting married!”
The bar hoots and hollers, people shouting their congratulations as I make my way up to the front to order.
“We just got this one in,” Rhonda, the bartender, says, holding a bottle with a Ledger label on it. I didn’t think they had any sparkling wine.
I pay for the round, returning to the table with a tray of glasses. Rhonda poured five, so I guess that means I’m having at least one drink tonight.
Once everyone has a glass in hand, I lift mine up.
“A toast,” I say, looking straight at Elyse. “To my beautiful, talented, kind, badass, survivor of a best friend—my soul sister in every lifetime. I am so happy for you. Truly. I can’t think of two people more deserving of a happily ever after.”
Glasses lift in response, the dim bar light catching on the rims and turning everything gold for a second.
We lean in and clink, laughter and teary smiles mixing together.
I take a sip, the bubbles meeting my tongue, the taste smooth but not sweet like I was expecting. It’s good. Really good.
“I didn’t think you guys had sparkling wine,” I tell Elyse.
She nods while taking a sip. “It’s new. Some project Gavin’s been working on. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”
My eyes narrow, confused. “Why would he tell me?”
