Page 160 of The Wedding

All eyes were back on Jamie. Since Seena was planning that party, nobody in any circle had any idea what was going on.I hope it would be good enough for them…It would be good enough for Jamie, whatever it was.

“I actually don’t know anything about it.” That was the truth. Seena had been so secretive about what she had planned that Jamie could only guess. “She said she would send out the details about where to meet later this weekend.”

“Wherever we’re going, there better be booze and hotties.”

Jamie turned to Kathleen. “So, you’re going?”

“Of course! I had too much fun at Monique’s party to pass up another one.”

“How the hell do you remember? You were passed out drunk!”

“As long as it’s not Vegas, I don’t care where we go.”

“What’s that got to do with being passed out drunk?” Adele asked.

Jamie doubted it would be Vegas. Seena had a healthy budget bequeathed to her, but she was the type of girl who preferred to keep things closer to home.

By the time of her bachelorette party the next weekend, Jamie had finalized the last of her wedding plans. Oh, there was still the construction in the garden to contend with, and God knew they still had last-minute RSVPs rolling in, but all the pressing matters? Magically done, thanks to Jenny’s incessant pestering and Adele’s intervention. Bridal gown? Check, and Bonita had confirmed she would be flying out for the fitting and final alterations soon. Flowers? Everywhere. Bridal parties accounted for and dressed? Tosh was not crazy about the purple cummerbund, but he would live. The cake? Jamie had chosen an eight-tier affair that was simple and elegant – and hopefully delicious with its chocolaty center.

With no more planning to contend with, Jamie focused her efforts on Kathleen’s charity. She had compiled local shelters to touch base with regarding questions when an unexpected phone call came through her cell.

“Yo, how far up in these hills do you fucking live?”

Jamie almost couldn’t believe the voice on the other end of the line. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, never mind. Driver found your place. Get out here!”

Nobody but Seena had expected Nala’s arrival. Even Seena was shocked she came, for the west coast woman originally declined the invitation. Then, as she explained, she found out that her girlfriend’s mother was coming to visit, and she suddenly had to fly out east to join her friendin marital festivities.

“She’s a nice lady, but oh my God, so neurotic,” Nala explained over a late afternoon cocktail. “Vaaaaren, do you think my rings are lined up right? Vaaaaren, why is the car five minutes late taking us to the opera? Blech. I’ve got studying to do for an exam next week.”

“So, you came to get smashed?”

“Hell, yeah, I came to get smashed.”

Even with more friends making their way in Jamie’s direction, she left the manor with only her mother on Saturday evening. Everyone else was already downtown, Natasha supposedly helping Seena get the party ready.

The only info Jamie had as she and Luna took the Town Car was that they were to meet at the center plaza in the commercial business district. Naturally, Jamie assumed this meant everyone would meet there and head over to wherever Seena and Natasha were.

She was not expecting an empty plaza as her driver left.

“Well, we might be early.” Luna sat down on a bench, her flowing skirt caught in a breeze.She is totally not wearing underwear. Jamie tried not to think about it. “The evening is still young. The sun hasn’t even set yet.” She shielded her eyes when she looked up, as if to prove her point.

That was all well and good, but they were only five minutes early, and Luna had the kind of expression on her face that Jamie did not trust.She knows something.

Sure enough, right at seven, a hard-looking woman in a sharp black suit and dark sunglasses crossed the plaza. She beelined right for Jamie.

“Jamie Joy?” she asked with a heavy tone.

“Er… yeah.” Jamie instinctively clutched her purse, wondering if she would have to whip out her ID. “Can I help you?” Why didn’t she and Etta have bodyguards? She never thought about it before. Now would be an awesome time for bodyguards, though.

The woman pulled out a pair of handcuffs and came for her.

“What! Excuse you! Mom!’

Luna crossed her legs, arms strewn out across the back of the bench. “You’re doing great, honey!”

“What!” Jamie tried to scuttle away from the hot chick in a suit, but she had Jamie, and two others in suits approached, each one hotter than the last.Are you kidding me?The handcuffs were on her, one of the suits plucking her purse from her hands and tossing it to Luna.