I didn't.I thought while good for some, getting married without her mother was not a good idea for Nicole.But it wasn't the time for honesty; it was the time for lying to my best friend.
"But what about my mom?She should be here.I should have some family here.Did I make a big mistake?"
I grabbed her hands and held them tightly."You said yourself that your mom doesn't like to travel.She would've been miserable here.Besides, she knows you and what's best for you.She didn't try to stop you or convince you to do it differently, did she?"
"No."
"That's because she knows you and Ryan need to do this your way.Besides."I squeezed her hands again and gave them a gentle shake."I'm family.I wouldn't miss this for the world.And I'm here for you, for everything."
"You really think it will be okay?"She wiped her eyes and sniffed loudly.
"Of course I do.It's going to be amazing.And I'm here now, so I can help you with any last-minute details."
I had been planning on spending the next day with Andrew walking along the Strip and doing all of the touristy things Vegas had to offer, but he'd understand if I had to help Nicole.Besides, how many details could there be for such a small wedding?
"Oh, Lexi."She threw herself at me, and I caught her in a hug."What would I do without you?"
"Nic, you'd be lost without me."I laughed."Now come on.We have to get you cleaned up.It's our first night here and we better get down to the boys before they drink the bar dry."
I waited while she had a quick shower and pulled her hair up in an elegant, funky twist.Nicole did her make-up in record time—for her, anyway—and it wasn't long before she came out of the room looking like she was ready for a night on the town.
Turning away from the view of the Strip, I said, "I thought we were just going for dinner.Why so dressed up?"
"Seriously, Lex.It's Vegas.Everything is an occasion here.Didn't we have this conversation last time?"
"Whatever."I looked down at my jeans and t-shirt.I wasn't dressed like a slob exactly, but next to Nicole, I looked more suited to gardening rather than a nice dinner.
"You look...well, fine," she said.
Laughing, I said, "Fine?I look fine?"
"Do you want to go to your room and change?"
I wasn't even sure where our room was and by the time I tracked down Andrew and went back up and changed, it would take forever.But, it would be nice to freshen up a little.The grumbling in my stomach made my decision for me."No, I'll be fine like this.Besides, I think I'd be disappointed to see our room after this amazing suite.I'm sure ours doesn't even begin to compare."
"It is nice, isn't it?"Nicole glowed."I just love it.I think it's nicer than our condo at home."She smacked her palm to her forehead."Hey, I just thought of something.I bought the cutest wrap dress yesterday.It'll totally work on you."
"Don't worry about—"
"Don't be silly.Come on."Nicole grabbed my arm and hauled me into her bedroom.
She was right; the dress worked on me.Mainly because of the wrap style that I could tug tightly around my waist.I didn't fill out the chest area as well as Nicole's curves would have and due to our height difference, it was much shorter than I thought decent, but I didn't really have a lot of options.My new black heels that I'd bought just for the trip worked too, although they did make my legs look indecently long.
"That color makes your eyes look crazy green," Nicole said when she saw me."Here, use my lipstick and for goodness’ sake, get rid of the ponytail."
After a few more minutes and final adjustments, we were in the elevator, headed to the lobby.
"This is how it should be, two sexy ladies out for a good time," Nicole said and admired herself in the full-length mirror lining the inside of the elevator."Just like old times."
Old times.
I flashed back to six years earlier.It had been just like this the night of her birthday party.The night I got to know Leo.The night I—
No, I wouldn't think of Leo.
I couldn't.
The bell sounded, announcing our arrival in the lobby, and the doors slid open, revealing a bustling scene.Nicole grabbed my hand and together we made our way through the casino floor.