The Island was more beautiful than any place I’d ever been. Living in New York, I was used to spending my days surrounded by metal and concrete. There were millions of people and cars everywhere I looked. But here, there were sandy beaches, bright sunshine, palm trees, and the endless ocean.
I was sitting in the passenger seat of Faith’s rental car as she drove us toward the hotel where the whole bridal party was going to be staying for the rest of the week, and I couldn’t stop staring out the window in awe. This island was the kind of place you would see on the front of a postcard. It was a paradise.
I wasn’t expecting Faith to personally pick me up at the airport, since she had so much going on, but I was glad she did. Seeing a familiar and friendly face right away made traveling alone feel less intimidating.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Faith said, and I pulled my eyes away from the amazing view to look at her. She was wearing a huge grin, and I could almost feel the happiness radiating off her. “How was the flight?”
I groaned. “Well, I managed to make a complete fool of myself,” I told her, thinking of Ben. “I was sitting next to this unbelievably hot guy. I mean, he could be a model or something, and I managed to pass out on his shoulder and drool all over him.”
Faith laughed. “Leave it to you to embarrass yourself like that.”
“Hey!” I shoved her arm playfully.
“I’m driving, doofus,” she pointed out.
I shrugged. “Anyway, I’m just glad that I’ll never have to see the guy again. At least my humiliation ends on that plane.”
“You’re so dramatic,” Faith said as she pulled up to the hotel. “He probably thought it was cute.”
I really doubted that, but I didn’t argue with her. Turning my attention to the hotel, I was surprised at how huge it was. It was located right on the beach and towered over the others nearby. Looking up, I saw a white exterior and row after row of windows. A man in a red and gold uniform came out through the glass doors and approached the driver’s side door of the car. We both got out of the vehicle so he could park it in the underground garage.
But before we went inside, Faith pulled me to a stop, her expression growing serious. “Listen, before we go in, I wanted to ask...how are you doing?”
I knew she was referring to my unexpected break-up with Aiden. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice sounding more confident than I felt.
I didn’t want the bride to spend all evening worrying about me. There was a welcome party this evening since all the members of the wedding party should have arrived on the island today—a fun celebration that was going to kick off the week’s activities.
“You can tell me if you’re not,” Faith said, her gaze searching mine. “I know that Aiden really pulled the rug out from under you and it’s got to be hard—”
“Faith, you don’t have to worry about me,” I insisted, especially when my best friend had her hands full with wedding preparations. “I promise.”
She looked at me for a moment longer, biting her lip and studying me as if she were trying to discover a lie in my eyes. Finally, she nodded and stepped back and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My stupid heartache wasnotgoing to get in the way of Faith’s happiness. I wouldn’t allow it.
“Okay, then let’s go get ready for a party!” She opened the door for the both of us, and led me to the check-in desk.
Once I was handed a key, we went up to the eighth floor. The entire bridal party was on this floor, so Faith followed me until I was inside, then took off for her own room just down the hall.
I tossed my suitcase and carry-on bag onto the king-sized bed and looked around. It was a basic hotel room with a kitchenette containing a mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot. The bedroom was just a bed and dresser with a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. The curtains on the window were pulled closed and I headed straight for it, yanking them open and checking out the view. I could see for miles along the beach. The water was a deep blue and the sky was full of fluffy white clouds.
I could have stood there just looking at this paradise for a while, but I had a party to get ready for. I headed into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes. The shower was refreshing after a day of travel, and I dressed in a white maxi dress with big red flowers printed all over the fabric. I braided my long black hair and put on my signature red lipstick. Standing in front of the mirror, I had to admit that I looked good.
The party was taking place at the hotel, in a banquet room on the ground floor. As I waited for the elevator, I was joined by the handsome groom-to-be, Michael.
“Where’s Faith?” I asked, looking around, expecting her to be heading down the hall to join him before the elevator arrived.
“She went downstairs about ten minutes ago, eager to make sure that everything is set up the way she’d requested,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. “She couldn’t even wait for me to get dressed.”
He chuckled and I could see the love he had for Faith in his eyes. It was a beautiful thing.
I’d known Michael even longer than I’d known Faith. He was my first boyfriend back in high school, when we were just fifteen years old. Our first date was mini-golf, which seemed really cute looking back on it. The relationship was short-lived and took place thirteen years ago, so it really was ancient history. I’d considered him my good friend for a long time now, and I was so glad when he and Faith found each other. I couldn’t have come up with a better match if I tried.
“Well, let’s not keep her waiting,” I said as the elevator doors slid open and we walked inside.
As we started the ride down, Michael cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Listen, I’m glad I have the chance to talk to you alone. How are you—”
I held up a hand to cut him off. “Oh God,pleasedon’t ask me if I’m okay because of Aiden.”
“Faith already took care of that, huh?” he guessed with a grin.