Page 59 of One Pucking Surprise
Chloe rolls her eyes playfully. “Believe me, I’m already outnumbered.”
One by one, Chloe unwraps each gift, each one more thoughtful than the last.
Casey’s gift, a hand-painted kitchen sign that reads,Home is where the heart and snacks are, gets a round of laughter.
Chloe’s cousins and aunts each brought something cozy for the new house, and Janelle’s gift, a set of custom wine glasses engraved withGirls’ Night Essentials, has us all in fits of giggles.
Finally, Diane hands over her gift—a delicate silver locket, a family heirloom. Chloe gasps softly, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Oh, Mom,” she whispers, eyes glistening. “This… this means so much.”
Diane wraps her daughter in a gentle hug, and for a moment, I’m overcome with a sense of longing. Seeing their closeness reminds me of my own mom and the support she gave me before she passed. Diane has always been warm and welcoming to me, but momentslike this highlight that irreplaceable gap in my life. I push the thought aside, grateful to be surrounded by so much love, even if my mother isn’t here to see it.
Once the gifts are unwrapped, everyone is chatting and laughing, caught up in the energy of the day. That’s when one of Chloe’s cousins, a bright-eyed woman named Emily, turns her attention to me with a playful smirk.
“So, Lainey,” she says, leaning forward conspiratorially, “maybe it’s your turn next?”
The comment sends a wave of heat to my cheeks, and I let out a forced laugh, hoping it sounds casual. “Oh, please. Right now, my focus is on getting Chloe down the aisle. One wedding at a time!”
Emily shrugs, a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Well, when it’s your turn, you know we’ll all be here.”
The laughter around me feels lighthearted, but the words hit a nerve. My mind goes to Zach—unbidden, as usual. A month ago, I’d have laughed off a comment like this with no second thought. But now, with Zach in my life, albeit in this strange, complicated, not-quite-real way, I’m left unsettled. What does it mean that my mind immediately goes to him when I think of relationships?
I shake off the thought, determined not to let it dampen the mood. Everyone’s still laughing and teasing as Diane announces that it’s time for massages.
“Alright, ladies, let’s keep the relaxation going,” Diane says with a warm smile, gesturing toward the massage area.
There’s a round of cheers as everyone begins to stand, gathering their belongings. I move to join them, but as I get to my feet, a slight wave of nausea washes over me. I pause, hoping the dizziness will pass quickly.
Maybe it’s just because I haven’t eaten anything all morning, I think, regretting that I skipped breakfast in my rush to make sure everything was perfect for Chloe. A snack or two probably would have helped keep me steady.
Janelle, who’s clearly noticed my hesitation, sidles up beside me. “Hey, you feeling alright?”
I force a reassuring smile. “Yeah, probably just didn’t eat enough this morning. I’ll be fine after a little water.”
She raises an eyebrow but lets it go, following the others toward the massage area. I hang back for a moment, waiting for the queasiness to settle, and make my way over to the kitchen area to pour myself a glass of water. Thecoolness helps ease the discomfort, and after a few sips, I feel a little steadier.
As I sip, I watch the women heading toward the massage area, laughing and talking with the same ease that fills every corner of this day. I take a deep breath, letting the warmth of their joy seep into me. Chloe’s happiness is infectious, and despite my own unsettled thoughts, I’m genuinely thrilled for her.
I finish my water and straighten up, feeling ready to rejoin the group. I refuse to let anything interfere with today. With a final steadying breath, I head back toward the spa rooms, reminding myself that I’m here to celebrate, to be part of this beautiful new chapter for my best friend.
Chapter 20
Zach
Theafternoonsunisshining as I pull up to Wyatt’s place, my truck loaded with snacks and drinks. It’s the kind of quiet street where kids ride their bikes, and front yards are sprinkled with toys—a picture of stability I didn’t realize I’d admire. Wyatt’s new life feels a world away from the bachelor days we once shared.
I park in the driveway and grab the bags from the passenger seat, heading to the door. Wyatt answers almost immediately, a grin spreading across his face as he takes in the stash in my hands.
“Stocking up for a week?” he teases, reaching for the bag of chips and Gatorade.
“Hey, it’s a guy’s day,” I reply with a shrug. “And knowing Jasper, I figured we might need reinforcements.”
As if on cue, Jasper bounds into the entryway, his face lighting up. “Uncle Zach! Did you bring the snacks?”
I ruffle his hair and pull out a bag of cheesy chips. “You bet, buddy. Got all your favorites.”
Jasper’s excitement is contagious, and I follow him and Wyatt through the house to the backyard. It’s the perfect setup—lush grass, a few lawn chairs, and Stanley, their dog, tearing across the yard with his tail wagging.
