Page 88 of Big Stick Energy
“Baby.” The term of endearment has her glancing over at me. “There’s not one pathetic thing about you. Wanting your family to love you is not a weakness. That’s theirjob.”
She looks away again. “Then how come they’re so bad at it?I’ve always been, like, a second-tier family member. I’m annoyed with myself for getting repeatedly sucked into their drama.”
“So let’s not. If anyone gives us any crap tonight, we’ll just bail and watch a movie.”
“Or…” She gives me a flash of a smile. “At the first sign of trouble, we’ll steal a bottle of wine from the bar, put on our bathing suits, and find the hot tub.”
Trust Darcy to turn the fun up a notch. “You have the best ideas.”
“I know! Now, get ready for that rehearsal.” Her smile brightens, and she makes a shooing motion. “I’m going to need the bathroom all to myself while you’re gone. I desperately need a shower.”
“Uh-huh.” I lean in and kiss her neck. “And I’m feeling smug about that.”
“You should be.” She runs a gratuitous hand down my chest, which makes getting off this bed even harder.
But I do it anyway. “I’ll text you with an update from the rehearsal, so you can arrive just in time for cocktails. There’s no reason for you to sit around and watch people practice walking down the aisle.”
“I love this plan.” She gives me a happy smile, and I force myself to walk away.
Chapter 32
How Am I Supposed to Behave?
Darcy
Eric leaves, and I tidy up the bedroom, which means plucking a two-hundred-dollar tie off the pillow and gently smoothing the silk.
I can’t quite get over all the things we’ve done together. The ottoman. The necktie. The satin ropes around my wrists.
His gray eyes at close range, staring into mine as he comes.
God.How am I supposed to behave after this? For the rest of my life, salty ocean air is going to make me feel sexually frustrated.
I take a long, luxurious shower, then check my texts. The first one is from my mother.
Mom:Tell me everything! Is the wedding gauche? Is there a chocolate fountain? Is the bride arriving by horse-drawn carriage?
I ignore her, because otherwise I’m likely to point out how fascinated she seems by a wedding that she never wanted me to attend. I read Eric’s text next, because he’s much easier to talk to.
Eric:My parents are here. Dad is taking part in the rehearsal.
Darcy:That’s good, right? How is your mom?
Eric:She’s pretending like everything is fine. Like she didn’t throw a tantrum yesterday. So now I have to make small talk with her until this rehearsal is done.
Darcy:Oh jeez. You need me to come downstairs and be your buffer? I could hurry.
Eric:You enjoy your shower and take your time. Maribel has us folding programs. Come down for cocktail hour at seven on the patio. That’s the place with the string lights over it.
Darcy:Will do!
I dry my hair and touch up my manicure. While my nails are drying, I check my phone again and find a series of texts from Zoe, each one a little more urgent than the last.
Zoe:Hey, bestie.
Zoe:So? Um…?
Zoe:OMG remember me? Where is my update? Not one text about drunk groomsmen or other people’s unfortunate fashion choices? I thought you loved me.
