For the Love of Friends(78)

“She was talking to some guy,” Madison said, and Ashlee shot her a murderous look.

My shoulders dropped. Not now, Amy, I thought despairingly. I knew my little sister had inherited some of my self-sabotaging ways, but she was within three weeks of the altar.

“Where?” I asked.

“The booths by the dance floor,” Madison said.

“Round everyone up,” I told her. “We’re heading back to the hotel. I’ll get Amy.”

I made a beeline for the booths. But when I got there, I found Alex sitting next to Amy, the guy who had been eating candy off Amy’s necklace across from them.

“What are you doing, Alex?” Amy slurred.

“Being a cockblock,” he responded matter-of-factly. “You’ll thank me tomorrow.”

She punched him lightly on the arm. “You’re so silly. I’m not doing anything wrong. Am I, Luke?”

Luke looked none too pleased with Alex or his declared intentions.

“Come on, Ames, time to go,” I said, planting my hands on the table and leaning directly into her sightline.

“What time is it?”

“Last call.”

“No it’s not,” Luke said, checking his phone.

“It is for us,” I said firmly. Alex stood and offered Amy his hand.

“I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Amy said again, petulantly, but she took Alex’s hand and stood.

I put an arm around her waist. “You only say that when you are, in fact, doing something wrong. Don’t forget, I’ve known you since you were born.”

Amy pouted, then burst into tears. “I really wasn’t though. I love Tyler. I wouldn’t mess that up.”

Alex gave me a look and tilted his head toward the door. I nodded.

Madison and Ashlee were crowded at the entrance with the rest of the girls. Two were sitting on the floor, looking like they might throw up again. “I’ll see if I can grab a couple of trash bags from the bar,” Alex said, surveying the situation. “How many Ubers do we need?”

I counted the girls. “Two regulars and an XL. I’ll order the XL, you do one, and Madison, can you do the third?”

She nodded and pulled out her phone.

“Let’s get everyone outside to wait. The fresh air will help.”

Amy was crying onto Ashlee’s shoulder, and I counted the girls again. We had left no man behind.

Madison took the first batch of girls in her Uber, Alex took the second, and I brought up the rear with the last of us. No one threw up in mine at least, and I helped the four drunk girls into the elevator and up to our suite.

Alex opened the door for us, his eyes wide. “This sounds like it would be every guy’s dream. But get me out of here, please.”

I laughed. “Can you hang out a few more minutes?”

“Now that you’re here, yes.”

“Thank you.”

I helped the drunkest two girls into their pajamas, gave everyone a bottle of water, and told them to brush their teeth.

“Thanks, Mom,” Amy said, her tears completely forgotten.

I rolled my eyes. “Wash your makeup off too. The last thing you need is your skin breaking out before the wedding.”

I found Madison. “Do you think it’s okay if I bail? I’ve had enough for one night.”

“Definitely. I can handle it from here.”

“Thanks.” I kissed her on the cheek. “Sis.”

She smiled broadly, and I thought about her invitation to come visit her and Jake. It might be nice to get to know her. And she was far less of a mess than Amy.

I grabbed my bag and headed to the door, where Alex was standing, watching me in awe.

“Is this what all bachelorette parties are like?”

“God no. This is what happens when little kids get married.” I checked the time on my cell phone. “Do you think the hotel bar is still open?”

“Only one way to find out,” he said, taking my bag from me.



The bar was open, and nearly empty, except for a couple of midfifties guys in suits at a table. Alex and I sat at the bar.

“A Stella and a martini,” he ordered. “Extra olives.”

“At least they can probably actually make one here,” I said. “The martinis at that bar tonight were the worst I’ve ever had.”

“Anything beyond a shot is probably out of their wheelhouse.”

“And when you’re Amy’s age, you don’t know better anyway.”

Our drinks arrived. “What should we toast to?” Alex asked.

I thought briefly. “To Amy. The only bride to actually allow me to bring a date to her wedding.”

Alex smiled and clinked my glass. “Technically, I can be your unofficial date to Tim and Megan’s too.”

“Well you kind of have to be now, since you told everyone we’re together.”

“I can tell them we broke up and let Justin know you’re available?”

“Why? Do you hate me?”

He smiled again. “No. I definitely don’t hate you.”

“Then don’t tell Justin anything of the sort. I still can’t believe that sleazebag was going around saying that.”

“I swear I almost hit him.”