“Holy shit,” Joey practically squeals as I walk very carefully down the stairs. Juls and Brooke are standing by the doorway, both in tight dresses themselves, and Joey is looking exceptional in a dress shirt and khakis. “Thank Christ the guys left already. There’s no way in Hell Reese would approve of that dress, which you look amazing in.”

I smile widely. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“You look incredible, sweets,” Juls adds as I come to a stop at the last step. She points at my feet with her perfectly manicured finger. “I need to borrow those shoes immediately. They are fabulous.”

“The limo’s here!” Brooke chirps, swinging the door open. “Let’s get this party started.”

I hold my clutch with one hand as Joey takes my other, looping it through his arm. “Are you ready to get down and dirty, cupcake?”

I smile at him, concealing my apprehension. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

8

“I can’t believe you got a limo for this. Did the boys leave in one, as well?” I ask, climbing into the back of the stretch-Hummer-style limo that could easily fit twenty people. The last time I was in a limousine was prom, and it was nowhere near as nice as this one. The cool leather of the seats chills my legs as I slide over to the bench seat.

“No. They aren’t fabulous like we are. They all left in a cab,” Joey answers as he settles into the seat to my right. Juls slides in next to him and smiles at me, pulling the hem of her dress down on her bare thighs.

Brooke opens one of the cabinets and grabs a bottle of champagne and several flutes. “Let’s make a toast.”

“Should you be pouring that? Didn’t you pre-game it at the house with a few of the minis from the fridge?” Joey asks, scooting closer to Brooke.

Brooke glares at him. “Shut up, you queen. I’m perfectly capable of pouring under tipsy conditions.” She fills the glasses, handing them out to the three of us. Joey takes his with a disapproving look before dropping it to give me his winning smile. “Who wants to do the honors?” Brooke asks.

“Me. I have to practice for Saturday anyway.” Juls holds her glass in front of her, prompting the rest of us to do the same. She beams at me sweetly. “To my very best friend, Dylan, who deserves all the happiness in the world. We all love you very much, sweets.” Her lip quivers a bit and she looks down, hiding her teary eyes. She wipes her finger across her cheek. “Sorry. I’m just so happy for you.”

Joey sniffles next to her and squeezes her knee.

“You guys are lame. Is this how it’s going to be all night?” Brooke asks. She tips her glass back when no one responds and downs the contents. I smile over at my two best friends, motioning to them for us to do the same. Brooke collects our empty glasses before reaching up and rubbing the back of her neck. “That stupid couch was not meant to be slept on. I’m getting a bed tonight.”

“Not mine,” Joey informs her. He looks out the window as the limo begins to slow down. “Oooo, we’re here!”

My nerves hit me in one big rush, not knowing what to expect when I step out of the vehicle. I try to look out the window, but Brooke blocks my view as she stands and smoothes her dress. Shit. I really don’t want to go to some seedy strip club where you’re most likely to catch an STD just from breathing the air. But I can’t bail, not when we’re already here.

Juls places her hand on the door, looking back in my direction. “You ready, sweets?”

I nod and force my most convincing smile. Juls and Joey file out of the limo, followed by Brooke. I scoot myself along the bench seat and take Joey’s offered hand that’s held out for me, mentally preparing myself for what I’m about to endure. And then, I step out of the limo.

I am expecting neon lights and loud music pumping from a building.

I am expecting drunk patrons stumbling along the street and the smell of booze and cigarettes.

But I am not expecting this.

The limo has dropped us off outside a very ritzy establishment, the words ‘Bella Donna Day Spa’ scrolled in fancy script above the doorway. I turn toward my two best friends who are smiling at me. “We’re having a spa day?”

“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?” Juls asks.

The tenseness in my shoulders has disappeared completely. I reach for Juls’ hand and she places hers in mine, squeezing it gently.

Joey wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Did you really think I’d make your bachelorette party all about me? What kind of friend would I be if I did that?”

“But you told me to dress sexy.”

He runs his eyes up and down my body. “And you knocked it out of the park. Don’t worry, we’ll put that dress to use when we go dancing after this.”

I lay my head on his shoulder as he directs me to the door, following behind Juls and Brooke. “Thank you, Joey.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Come on, cupcake. Let’s enjoy some massages.”

9

I really have the two best friends in the world.

Juls and Joey set me up with a two-hour hot stone massage, which worked every single knot from my back that had begun to set in due to wedding-planning stress. Juls, Joey, and Brooke all received massages themselves while I passed out during my session. If I had my phone with me, I would’ve informed Reese that my masseuse had amazing fingers. Very feminine, amazing fingers. I’d never let him think another man had his hands on me. I’m very aware of his views on that, even if it is in a spa setting.

After that, the four of us drank wine while we got manicures and pedicures. Brooke even seemed happy about the festivities, not once complaining she wasn’t getting her rocks off somewhere. Once we were all relaxed and buzzing from the wine, we were served a fancy lunch in the private bridal room: tiny cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches, assorted fruits and cheeses, and of course, more wine. Thank God for the food because I would’ve needed carrying out of there if I didn’t have something to absorb the alcohol that seemed to be free flowing.

Feeling full and borderline-tipsy after my relaxing afternoon, I can barely keep my eyes open as we make our way to our next stop. Juls and Brooke are talking quietly as I lean my head on Joey’s shoulder.

“What do you think the boys are doing right now?”

He sighs. “Well, if it were a different bunch of men, I’d say they were getting panties thrown at them. But Reese only desires your panties, and Ian is so whipped it’s almost laughable.” Juls overhears this and flips Joey off as she continues to giggle with Brooke. “And Billy…” Joey’s voice trails off as he reaches up and fixes the collar of his shirt.

I lean up and kiss his stubbly jaw. “He loves you. You know that, right?”

He nods, dropping his worried façade. “I know. I’m just in a funk. Once you’re hitched, I’ll be the only single girl left at the party.” I swat at his leg and he laughs just as the limo comes to a stop. He peers down at me. “You ready to work that outfit at the hottest club in the Big Easy, cupcake?”

Dancing with my two best friends… and Brooke? I glance around at the three smiling faces. “Hell yes, I am. Let’s do this.”

Joey leads the way past the bouncer and into the Raging Rhino. The dance floor is packed with people, and the music is bumping through the speakers. This place is massive and a serious step up from the clubs we’ve been to in Chicago, and I always considered Clancy’s to be on the fancy side. It’s two floors, the bottom one containing a bar that stretches the length of the dance floor. The top level is roped off and a security guard is standing at the bottom of the stairs, granting access to certain individuals. Brooke squeals excitedly behind me as Juls turns her head and leans close to Joey and me.