She went on to explain how to get there as it was quite some distance from the main hotel and we discussed my rental car that was being delivered later that day. Sandy would arrange to have it parked alongside the bungalow ready for me.
“Thank you so much.” I took the keys and an embossed appointment card and followed the signs to the bar, feeling happier than ever to be back in my hometown.
To get great service like that in LA, people had to know who you were. I was starting to be recognized in places thanks to my Instagram, but it made me feel slightly uncomfortable like I was only treated well because I was a ‘somebody.’
Jas was the total opposite; she’d soak up every freebie and perk she could get. As a talented designer and amazing friend, she deserved all the best, in my opinion; otherwise I’d probably hate her guts.
I spotted my friends in a booth in the sleek, modern bar and headed over to join them.
“Hey there. Can I get you anything?” a server appeared at the table the moment I sat down.
“A sweet tea—” I began to reply, and Poppy narrowed her eyes at me.
“You’re not drinking? This is a celebration.”
“...with peach schnapps and vodka, thanks.” The server and Poppy both looked satisfied, and I settled back into the booth.
Our drinks arrived quickly, and I fought my instinct to grab my phone and start taking cute photos of us all for social media. But I wanted to have a true vacation for a few days; this weekend, I wasn’t a social media influencer, I was simply Muriel Tennyson, and it was going to be great.
And more importantly, nobody needed to see me in my current state; I could feel my hair starting to dry and grow bigger by the second.
“Oh, look, there’s Chrissy.” Jas waved at someone over my shoulder.
I turned to see our old school friend walking toward us, already looking every inch the glowing bride in a cute white tea dress with white Converse.
I took a long sip of my spiked tea and tried to imagine what it would feel like to vow to be faithful to one man for the rest of your life.
The small-town girl in me yearned for exactly what Chrissy had, but a bigger part of me was convinced I’d never be satisfied by conventional so-called domestic bliss.
“Hey y’all,” Chrissy said as she arrived at our table with a smile so wide she must have had no nerves and no doubts about marriage at all. “I’m so glad all y’all could make it. How was the flight?” She slipped into our booth beside me.
“A bit bumpy,” Jas replied. “The turbulence when we landed had Poppy screaming like a banshee.”
“Oh, please,” Poppy gave Jas a playful shove. “You were practically in the lap of the guy next to you.”
“Did you see him? He was hot.” Jas’s eyes widened, and she licked her lips. “And that was the only reason for our closeness, honestly.”
Chrissy chuckled. “Well, I hope that’s the biggest drama we have this weekend. The Weather Channel has just announced there’s a series of storms and tornadoes on their way here and due to hit tomorrow, but what do they know?”
“Well, I think they know about the weather,” Poppy said, and it was Jas’s turn to elbow her in the ribs. “Er, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. Hurricanes change course all the time, don’t they?”
I leaned back and mouthed ‘nice save’ out of view of the bride-to-be.
“Exactly.” Chrissy pointed a determined finger at Poppy. “Right, I have a million things to do, so you girls enjoy yourselves, and I’ll see you tonight.” With that, she stood up and dashed out of the bar, glass of Champagne in hand.
“Lucky girl,” Poppy said, looking wistfully at our friend’s departing figure.
“Oh, please,” I replied. “You ghosted a guy last month for suggesting he leave a toothbrush at your place. Now you’re ready for a lifetime commitment?”
“No. I mean the party, and the dress and everything. Seems fun, that’s all.”
I laughed at my friend; the three of us were so different in many ways but so alike in this. “Look at it this way, we get to enjoy the party and admire the dress without having to promise to love, honor, or obey anyone at all.”
“Cheers to that.” Jas raised her glass, and we all joined in.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Muri.” My arm froze in the air as a familiar voice rang out beside me. Even after all this time it was still a voice I’d recognize, and one that sent me hot and cold all at once. I slowly turned my head and looked up at Cameron, who stared down at me with a mischievous grin on his face.
“Shit—I mean, hi.” I slammed my drink down so hard it splashed out of the glass. “Er, how are you?”