Page 35 of Paradise & Vodka

"Okay." I nodded and then asked into the phone, "What's your room number, Evie?"

My mother answered the door when I knocked on Everleigh's door. "Morning," I greeted.

She reached out her arms for a hug. "Morning, honey."

We embraced, and I stepped into the room. It was similar to the one I had, but it was larger, had a separate living room, and a better view of the ocean.

"Breakfast is on its way," Everleigh stated and rushed to me, engulfing me in her arms.

When we broke apart, I realized there was someone else in the room. I drew my head back when I recognized who it was. "Corinne?"

"Hey, Ashleigh," she said with a small wave. Corinne was Everleigh's best friend from high school. I hadn't seen her the entire time I'd been in Fiji. In fact, I hadn't seen any of Everleigh's friends at the meet and greet. Only a couple of Douglas’s friends.

We hugged. "I didn't know you were here."

"Ah," she groaned. "I wasn't able to fly in with Evie and Doug, and then my flight got delayed in LA. I had to wait almost an entire day to get on a new one."

"That sucks."

She shrugged. "Yeah, but I'm here now, and our girl is getting married."

"I'm getting married!" Everleigh yelled, raising her arms above her head in celebration.

"I need coffee before I can handle your excitement." I chuckled.

"There's some in the kitchen," Mom advised.

"Kitchen?"

She waved me to follow her around a corner, and sure enough, there was a tiny kitchen area. There was no stove or anything, but it did have a small fridge and microwave. I went straight for the coffee pot.

"Nick was okay to let you leave?" Everleigh asked.

"Letme leave?" I poured a cup of the java, leaving room for cream.

"Yeah. You two have been attached at the hip since you've gotten here."

"Because we're dating, and he came with me."

"I know. I just mean, he'll find his way to the ceremony?"

"I hope so," I snickered.

There was a knock on the door, and Mom turned to answer it.

"That must be our breakfast," Everleigh stated. "Sit, and let's eat. Afterward, there will be someone to come and do our hair and makeup."

"All of us?" I asked as I sat at the round table.

"Yep. Doug is paying for all of us to get pretty."

I nodded, remembering again that my sister was marrying my ex—my ex, who I caught her cheating with. I wasn't sure if I would ever have answers as to why it turned out the way it did, but as I watched Everleigh buzz happily around the room, I decided not to bring up the past. I honestly didn't think I could see myself with Douglas, and maybe that night four years ago was a blessing in disguise. I just hoped my person was out there too. I wanted to wake up on my wedding day knowing I was marrying the love of my life. As I thought that, Nick fluttered into my mind.

The one guy I had a solid connection with was not the guy for me. I paid him to put on this façade.

And it fucking sucked.

I had time to go back to get Nick in the room before the wedding started. When I entered the bure, he was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie and wearing a light gray suit. I stopped in my tracks. Holy fucking shit, that man was the epitome of perfection.