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ALLISON

A llison is disappointed to not be spending the night with Russell. She can’t remember ever being this needy for a man. It has been a long time since she’s had sex, still Russell is unlike anyone she’s ever dated before. Not that she’s dating him now. They’re just having fun.

Tomorrow is the wedding. She’ll be leaving the next day and she’ll never see him again, or at least not for a long time. Ugh! She shouldn’t feel so sad about that prospect.

“What’s wrong with you?” Susie Beth whispers, glancing over at Leslie and the others who are discussing the best hairdo for Emma. Like Emma hasn’t already planned how she’s going to wear her hair at her wedding.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” Allison semi-lies. Susie Beth’s mouth quirks to one side. She isn’t buying. Susie Beth has been Emma’s friend since forever and she’s been Allison’s friend, too. She knows Allison almost as well as Emma.

“Bullshit, Ali. What’s going on?” Susie Beth demands. “Spill it.” Allison can’t keep her lips from tipping up at the edges as she fights a smile.

“It’s just tomorrow is the wedding and the next day I’ll fly back home,” Allison offers as if that’s a complete explanation. Susie Beth gives her a sympathetic look. “The days have flown by, and now it’s almost over.”

“You’re going to miss Russell.” Damn, she nailed it.

“No! It’s not that,” Allison protests too quickly. A knowing look is shot her way. Allison’s shoulders drop in defeat. “Maybe, a little?” Susie Beth’s face lights up.

“I knew it!” Susie Beth squeals with glee, drawing the room’s attention.

“Shhh,” Allison whisper-shouts. “Nothing to see here!” she calls to the others who are now suddenly interested in their conversation.

“No secrets!” Bridget chirps. “You have to tell.”

“Allison is a secret government spy,” Susie Beth deadpans, not missing a beat. “I finally managed to drag it out of her.” Allison releases a strangled laugh, with wide eyes. How does she come up with this shit?

“Stop lying, Susie Beth!” Leslie complains, turning to Emma. “How have you managed to stay friends with her all these years? I would never keep company with someone like her.”

“Thank God!” Susie Beth exclaims. “I’d want kill myself if I had to be your friend.” Allison is dying to laugh out loud. Susie Beth and Leslie have never gotten along because Susie Beth has never let Leslie get away with being the bitch that she is.

“Ladies, please,” Gloria jumps in. “Let’s not bring up old arguments. This is Emma’s special time. Let’s focus on her and what she needs.”

“Actually, I’d love it if we could just settle down. I have something to say,” Emma says, looking each of them in the eye. “I appreciate all of you being here and celebrating the love Curtis and I share. I never thought I’d find the love and happiness that I’ve found with him. Even in my darkest days, you were here for me.” Emma gives Allison and Susie Beth pointed looks.

“Stop! You’re going to make me cry!” Susie Beth fans her face and hugs Emma tightly. When she pulls back, she holds Emma’s shoulder. “I’m so, so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness.” The women hug again. Allison looks away, blinking away tears.

“Here! Here!” Allison shouts her support to Susie Beth’s words, holding up her glass of sparkling grape juice. They all take a sip of their drinks. No alcohol allowed at the slumber party, for two reasons. The bridal party doesn’t need a hangover tomorrow and the cousins would have a fit.

“Okay!” Emma squeals, getting off the bed to pull several gift bags out from the closet. “I got y’all something to remember the day. They’re all alike, but also different, something that represents you as an individual. I hope you like it.”

Allison opens her bag, pulling out the white tissue paper with tiny burgundy polka dots. Inside is a small jewelry box with thank you written in gold lettering. Allison opens the box to see a beautiful, silver, charm bracelet. Lifting it from the box, she notices in her peripheral vision the other ladies doing the same.

Allison looks at the delicate piece of art in her hands. There’s a charm in the shape of aburgundy dress identical to what they’ll be wearing in the wedding. Beside it is a tree of life with Allison’s birthstone embedded in the trunk. Next to it,there’s a matching bouquet of flowers. On one side of the trio of wedding charms is an infinity symbol and on the other side is a note pad with a magnifying glass and microphone.

“Oh, Em!” Allison exclaims with tears in her eyes. “This is perfect! I love it!” The other women are ohhing and awing over their bracelets too. Allison hugs Emma whispering in her ear, “Love you, Em. You’re the best. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome,” Emma murmurs, “and thank you for being here. I know it hasn’t been the most comfortable experience, but it means the world to me.”

“I know I threatened not to come,” Allison admits, “but I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. I’m so very happy for you. Curtis is perfect for you and he seems to love you so well.” Emma’s face is bright, love in her eyes that are glistening with tears.

“He does love me well, better than I ever dreamed I could be loved.” All the women are listening, the earlier tension is gone. Everyone focused on the bride. “He seems to always be thinking of me and what I need. It’s the little things that let me know how he feels about me.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Leslie advises, with a sneer on her face. “When the little ones come along you’ll be lucky to get a peck on the cheek.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Gloria interjects. “Not every day will be roses, but if you both are committed and love each other, life is better with the one you love.” There’s a murmuring of agreement from some of the others.

“On that sappy note, we need to get some sleep so Emma doesn’t have blood shot eyes on her wedding day,” Susie Beth declares, picking up her gift bag and placing it with her overnight bag.

The next morning is a flurry of activity. All of the women are attempting to help Emma get ready. Allison’s nerves are beginning to make themselves known. Little butterflies fluttering up a storm in her stomach. She isn’t nervous about her part in the ceremony, but it’s more about seeing Russell in a tux and what she’s hoping will happen after the ceremony.

A knock on the door interrupts the heated discussion which is fast becoming an argument between Leslie and Susie Beth over Emma’s hair style and how she’ll wear her veil.

“I’ll get it!” Allison calls out hurrying to the door. On the other side is Aunt Margaret. “Good morning!” Allison pulls the woman into a hug. “Are you excited for your girl? Sad she’s grown up and getting married? Or a combination of both?” Aunt Margaret laughs.

“Definitely both.” Aunt Margaret laughs, giving Allison’s arms a gentle squeeze. She looks at the women behind them, then leans in to whisper to Allison, “It looks like Emma needs rescuing from the cousins.” Allison glances back, nodding.

“I think you’re right. We better do something quick before Susie Beth murders a bridesmaid. Aunt Margaret cackles drawing the room’s attention.

“Mother of the Bride here!” Aunt Margaret calls, strolling into the room like she owned the place. “Time for the rest of you to clear out! The best friend and I will finish getting Emma ready.”

Allison gives Emma a hug and grabs her overnight bag before heading to her room to get herself ready. She checks the time on her watch as she hurries down the hall. She has plenty of time to get ready. At least she did, until she sees Russell stepping off the elevator.

Lust rolls over her like a freight train at the sight of him. He is in a pair of basketball shorts and nothing else. Sweat is glistening on his bare chest and abdomen. He hasn’t noticed her yet. He is occupied by something Virus is saying. The men are joking among themselves, not noticing they have an audience.

“I swear I don’t know what’s wrong,” Virus laments, throwing his hands up in the air. “You guys know I’ve always been able to beat you in the gym. I have always been able to do more sit-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups than any of you in a challenge. It must be the thin mountain air.”

“We’re not on the mountain,” Mercury supplies. Virus shoots him an ungrateful look. “Sorry, man, I’m just pointing out facts.”

Virus groans, shaking his head. “Still something has to be off. I can always best you!”

“If you hadn’t gotten wasted last night, you could’ve kept up with us,” Russell gives him a little shove to the upper arm. “You can’t show up with a hangover and think you’re going to out do me in the gym.”

“Well, if you’d gotten wasted with me, then we’d have been even,” Virus counters, pushing back on Russell’s upper body. Russell stumbles a couple of steps turning in such a way, he catches sight of Allison.

“Sugar? What are you doing here? I thought you’d be helping Emma get ready?” Russell waits for her to catch up with him. The other guys stop and wait, too.

“Aunt Margaret, Emma’s mom, kicked us out,” Allison giggles remembering the look on Leslie’s face. She’d been in a full-on lecture about how Emma should wear her hair and makeup for the ceremony. “Only the best friend and mother of the bride allowed!” Allison does her best Aunt Margaret impression. “Walk me to my room?”

Russell’s concerned face melts into a gorgeous grin. “I’d be delighted.” He holds out his arm bent at the elbow for her to grasp. “See you guys later,” Russell calls over his shoulder as he leads Allison down the hall. “Missed you last night,” Russell murmurs when they’re several steps away from his friends, causing her heart to skip.