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Mindy and Tara looked confused.

“Ok…who?” I asked.

Sasha sucked in a big breath, and took a sip of champagne before spilling the secret. “My mom invited Aiden and he’s bringing a date.”

“You’re kidding.” I stared at a spot on her veil. It kept my eyes from bulging out of my head.

“No, I’m not. He’s doing some kind of deal with my dad, and she said she had to invite him. They are some kind of business partners now. I’m sorry. Again.”

The vision of dancing in Cole’s arms under a moonlit Texas night at the reception fizzled. All the romance would be washed away the instant he set eyes on Aiden. So much for that.

“Sasha, don’t worry about it. All I care about is you and Cal. Let’s have a toast.” I raised my glass. This was supposed to be a bachelorette party. Not my pity-party.

> Tara and Mindy picked up their glasses from the bar. “To the bride.”

“Yes, to the bride.” I took a sip of the gingerale, glad it was cold, and smiled brightly. I was starting to feel queasy. The last thing I wanted to do was call Cole if he was out with the guys.

Sasha beamed and finished the rest of her bubbly. “Ok, next bar!”

I didn’t know how many places she planned to go to tonight, but I didn’t complain. I was along for the ride no matter when it stopped.

23

Cole

Tonight, was the rehearsal dinner. But I had a surprise for Kaitlyn before we left. I was supposed to meet her at the house.

I heard her jog up the stairs and I met her at the front door.

Her mouth opened when she walked inside.

“You like it?” I asked.

“How did you know this was the one?” She walked toward the couch I had delivered.

“Because you tagged the page and circled it five times in that catalog,” I answered.

She looked at me. “I can’t believe you got it. It was more of a wish list couch. I never thought we could actually buy it.” She ran her fingers over the armrests. “It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. It’s in our living room.”

I nodded. “So I did ok? We don’t have to return it?” One of my eyebrows cocked higher than the other.

She shook her head. “There is no way we’re returning this.”

It might have taken almost two months, but we had living room furniture. She deserved it. I couldn’t have my pregnant girlfriend sitting on crates, the floor, or lawn furniture while I couldn’t make a decision about decorating.

“How did you get it delivered without me noticing it?” she asked.

I chuckled. “Remember when I called and asked you to see what tools I had in the storage closet for inventory?”

She laughed. “Yes, that did seem weird and it took me forever to log all of them.”

I winked. “That’s when the truck arrived, unloaded the couch, and took off.”

I stepped closer and brushed the hair away from her neck.

“I think we need to try it out.” My lips trailed below her ear to her collarbone.

“Rehearsal dinner,” she managed to whisper. I was slowly unbuttoning her shirt. My eyes locked on hers like a hungry tiger.