Page 173 of The Wedding

Holly reiterated this point, down by Etta’s thigh, which she couldn’t stop touching. I’m killing you first!“We hear you can go for three or four hours!”

“Where the hell did you hear that?” Etta didn’t sound like a woman enjoying her bachelorette life. If anything, she looked like she was about to shake all these women off and storm into the sunset.My darling!“Let me guess. From your boss.”

“She’s told us a lot about you over the months,” June continued. She reached behind Etta’s head and gave Chelsea a signal. That woman leaped up behind Etta’s chair, one leg curling over the back as she began to grind. “Like the fact you’ve got a nice body.”

“I used to work in an antique shop,” Chelsea said, running fingers up Etta’s leg. “I was a pearl polisher, if you know what I mean.”

“No offense, but I doubt you’re as good as my future wife.”

Lowooohswent around in a circle, June grinning in great delight at that unexpected comeback. Holly turned away so Etta wouldn’t see her frown. “If you don’t wanna touch right now, that’s all right.” June snapped her fingers at Yvette. “The misses Yvette and Grace are well adept, if you would rather watch.” On this cue, Grace pounced on Yvette, the two of them digging right into making merry not two feet away from Etta’s chair. Jamie would have gasped at the blatant display, but she didn’t want to make any sounds.

“That’s quite impressive,” Etta said in her droll tone. Yet even from her distance, Jamie could see she fought arousal. “But I’m afraid I’m not interested. You’re wasting your time. Maybe you should go try to make some extra money for yourselves… and your madam.”

Holly had a look that suggested she thought that was a grand idea. “We’ve been paid to serve you tonight, ma’am. We can wait for you to be ready.”

“We’re very patient.”

“It’s no big deal.”

Chelsea got too close to her face. With her pussy, that is.

“All right,” Etta announced, hands slamming on the arms of her chair. “I’m sorry, ladies, but it’s not happening. Do tell your madam not to charge those cards on my behalf. I’d feel terrible if those fine people didn’t get their money’s worth.”

June was the first to back off. “Come on,” she said. “She can change her mind later.”

One by one, the five young women departed the room, some looking coyly over their shoulders while the others pretended Etta didn’t exist at all. When Etta was left alone a few seconds later, she collapsedin her chair, releasing the biggest pent-up breath Jamie ever heard.

There her fiancée was, alone during her bachelorette party, having turned down five sensual sex experts that she didn’t have to pay for. On one hand, Jamie was relieved that Etta hadn’t considered betraying her. On the other? What the fuck was her problem!

Monique was right.She’s monogamous to a fault.It should have been more endearing than sad. Etta was probably unable to enjoy her own damn party because of the guilt she felt inside. Did she even want to be there tonight?

“What a fucking world.” Etta pulled out her phone from her back pocket.

Jamie’s phone buzzed in her bag beside her.

“I love you.”

Before Jamie had the chance to digest what had happened, the door to the lounge opened. In walked Adele, eyes set on Etta as she closed – and locked – the door behind her.

Chapter 56

At first, they said nothing to one another, Adele reclaiming her seat adjacent to Etta’s. Neither of them looked like they were having a good time, if Etta’s frustrated frown and Adele’s contemplative demeanor said anything.

Finally, she broke the silence, picking up the Balvenie and pouring out the last drops. “They spared no expense on you. This stuff is hard to get, even for us.”

Etta grunted, sinking farther into her chair. “I can’t remember what it tastes like. All I smell is that one girl’s perfume.”

“You sure that wasn’t her other perfume?” Adele leaned back with her glass tucked against her chest. Her black scoop-neck dress with the wide white belt made her look better suited for a business meeting than a bachelorette party. “I saw five naked girls leave here and decided to check on you. This is your sendoff, Etta. You should be enjoying yourself. Instead, it’s like you found out your favorite grandma died. What gives?”

“Remember what I used to be like?” Etta said, deliberately choosing her words. “Back when we dated?”

“How the hell could Iforget?”

“I’m worse now.”

“No kidding.”

That got the smallest hint of a smile out of Etta. “Who could have guessed that I would be sitting in one ex’s place of business for my bachelorette party while my other grills me about not cheating on my current fiancée? Nobody prepared me for this in Yale.”