The room starts spinning.
Someone helps me to the couch. Yes, that’s good. Stable. Secure.
I rest my legs on the cushion. Lie back. Stare at the ceiling.
The same white ceiling in our room.
This room is so much like ours. Same pale pink walls. Same palm print pillows. Same silver fixings.
It’s nice for a hotel. Expensive. Usually, even the priciest hotel is a little bit tacky. (I would know. Mackenzie’s hotel magnet Dad used to invite me to join them on trips. Since Mackenzie didn’t have anyone to play with). But this place is nice.
It’s no abandoned pool, but—
I push off the couch. Move to the balcony.
Wind whips the sheer curtain in every direction. It blows my hair over my eyes. Ruffles my dress.
It’s cold. But I’m still buzzed enough I barely feel it.
Maybe I need more. Maybe the solution to this horrible weekend is very strong, very large Moscow Mules.
I’ve never drank my way through problems, but now seems like a good time to start.
One more day and this horror is over.
One. More. Day.
Either Forest realizes he’s totally over Mackenzie.
Or…
UGH.
I try to focus on the view. It’s beautiful.
The moon casts a soft glow over the sand, the ocean, the hotel’s concrete.
The party is still going. Half in the lobby. Half at the pool deck.
Well-dressed people toast, laugh, dance. I’m too far away to make anyone out. To see the pool cast highlights over faces.
The pool. It was ours. It was perfect.
Now?
Who knows.
I shift my gaze to the ocean.
A voice interrupts. “Aren’t you cold?” Mackenzie asks.
“A little.” I try to offer her a smile. Get most of the way there. “Aren’t you supposed to have a stripper in your lap?”
She laughs. “I’m letting the maid of honor have a turn.”
“It’s not her last night of freedom.”
Her gaze shifts to her engagement ring. “True.”
“You scared?” I’m not sure I want to know. There’s a part of me that misses her. But mostly… well, if she’s happy with Diego, if she’s sure—
No, it doesn’t matter.
If Forest loves her, he loves her. Even if she won’t have him. His love is still for her.
Maybe.
I mean, maybe I’m too drunk to think straight.
No. If I was drunk, I wouldn’t realize it. But if I’m thinking I’m not drunk—
“Yeah.” Her voice is honest. “It’s weird, thinking about how I’ll never have anyone else. I’m excited but… mostly it’s a lot.”
“Maybe you need another drink?”
She smiles as she brandishes a bottle of vodka. “You first?”
I take the bottle. Drink straight from it. Fuck, it’s strong. But smooth.
Mackenzie laughs as she takes the bottle. Takes a heavy swig. “Damn.” She coughs.
“You never drink it straight?”
She shakes her head. “You do?”
“Not usually,” I admit.
She joins me at the railing. Looks at the view. “This is a nice place.”
“It is.”
“Forest seems… like he’s grown.”
Okay…
“I’m really glad. I just… I worry.”
I bet. “What about?” I don’t wait for her response. I take the bottle back. Take another swig. Wooh, drinking. It is a bachelorette party. I’m having fun.
“I think I…” She presses her lips together. “I just, I hope he’s with you for the right reasons.”
“What do you mean?” My stomach churns. From the vodka or the conversation. Both maybe.
“He… I swear, Skye, I’m only telling you this because you’re my friend.”
That’s overstating it. I nod go on anyway.
“Don’t you think it’s really convenient? You two start dating as soon as I announce my engagement. Maybe it’s a coincidence… or maybe he’s using you.”
“He’s not.” I can’t say it was all bullshit. But he’s not. Is he?
I’m the one who pushed him to do this.
Sure, it was his idea, but he wanted to pull back.
He wanted to run a million miles away.
I more or less begged him.
“I hope not,” she whispers.
“Are you jealous?”
“No.” She shakes her head that’s ridiculous. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ll always love him. But I want you two to be happy. I want him to deserve you. Does he?” She turns, looks me straight in the eyes. “Are you sure he’s here for you? I know you care about him, but he’s a bitter guy. He’d think nothing of using you to get back at me.”
“If you’re not jealous, how can he get back at you?”
“I’m not, but… that’s how his mind works. It’s always sex. Always who’s better off. Who wins.”
That’s…
No…
He wouldn’t.
She’s fucking with me.
She’s trying to hurt me.
She’s trying to ruin this. To ruin us.
But she is right about one thing.
If he’s here for her—
If he still loves her—
“Excuse me.” I set the bottle on a glass table. “I should…” I don’t bother to think of an excuse. I head straight to Forest’s room.
Chapter Forty-Four
Forest
A fist pounds at the door. It’s frantic. Needy. “Forest.” Skye’s voice flows through the wood. “Are you there?”
“Yeah.” Fuck, it’s late. What is she doing up? I flip the light on. Climb out of bed. “Hold on.”