Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Zoe
I blink my eyes open, squinting against the sunlight filtering through the crack in the curtains. The sheets feel cool against my bare skin. I stretch an arm out to the other side of the bed, but my fingers find only empty space and rumpled blankets.
Max is gone.
A swirl of emotions tightens my chest—confusion, regret, a strange aching longing. I pull the covers up under my chin, trying to ward off the chill that has nothing to do with the temperature of the room.
What happened last night? How did I let myself get so caught up in the moment? In him?
It wasn’t just a one-time thing. All night we just . . . I turned off my brain and let my body and Max guide me with pleasure. And now? Well, I need to pull myself together and remember that I’m here for a wedding. He’s just a friend who shares some pretty fucking amazing benefits with me. Did we break rules last night?
Probably all of them, but I’m highly satisfied.
I can’t let this throw me off, not today of all days. It’s Audrey’s wedding, and I have bridesmaid duties to focus on. Whatever happened with Max was a one-time thing, a momentary lapse in judgment. It doesn’t mean anything.
I force myself to sit up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed and head to the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face and stare at my reflection in the mirror—slightly smeared eye makeup, hair mussed from . . . I blush just thinking of all the things Max and I did all night.
“Get it together, Zoe,” I mutter to my reflection. “Focus on what’s important.”
I turn the shower on hot and step under the spray, letting the water wash away the remnants of last night. Max’s hands on my skin, his lips trailing kisses down my neck. I scrub harder, as if I can wash the memories down the drain along with the bubbles.
By the time I emerge, I feel slightly more human. I wrap one of the fluffy hotel towels around myself and head back into the bedroom to dig through my suitcase for something to wear. As I do, my gaze falls on the pillow beside mine, the one Max’s head rested on just a few hours ago. I feel that pang in my chest again and quickly look away.
With renewed determination, I finish getting ready, slipping into a pink sundress, applying a light layer of makeup, and twisting my hair into a loose braid. I refuse to let one impulsive decision derail me. I’m here for Audrey and I won’t let her down on her big day.
I gather my things in a tote bag, then grab the garment bag where my bridesmaid’s dress is carefully hung in the closet, and my small clutch purse. As I move to leave the cabana, a glint of silver catches my eye. My heart stutters as I recognize Max’s watch, forgotten on the nightstand in our haste last night.
I hesitate, my fingers hovering over the cool metal. I should return it to him. It’s the polite thing to do. But the thought of facing him again so soon, of trying to find the right words to say, makes my stomach churn. It’s okay, I tell myself. We’re adults who had fun and can occupy the same space the next morning without any awkwardness.
Be a grown-up, Zoe. I snatch up the watch and tuck it into my purse. I’ll find a way to give it back to him later, when I’m feeling more composed. And when I can make sure no one sees us. It’s not that I’m ashamed of what happened between us, but I don’t want to be giving explanations to anyone about the one night we spent together.
I take one last look around the room, my gaze lingering on the rumpled sheets, before I square my shoulders and walk out the door. As I make my way out of the cabana, I try to push all thoughts of Max and our night together to the back of my mind.
Today is about Audrey and her happiness. Everything else can wait.
But even as I walk toward the main hotel, my mind keeps drifting back to Max. The way he looked at me, the way his touch ignited something deep within me. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll feel like that again—ever.
Was it just a one-time thing, a moment of weakness fueled by too much champagne and the romantic atmosphere of the wedding? Obviously, it was a one-time thing. Besides, it wasn’t alcohol-fueled . . . I was pretty aware of what we were doing. It was a mix of loneliness, the romantic view, and the irresistible pull between us.
I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. It doesn’t matter. Max and I come from different worlds. Whatever happened between us last night—spending the night and penetration so many times—it can’t happen again.
As I walk through the lush flora of Fiji and the resort’s beautiful paths, I finally arrive at my destination. Stepping into the lobby, I spot Audrey across the room, looking radiant in her white robe that reads “Bride” in gold letters, as she talks animatedly with her mother.
I start to make my way toward them, but I freeze when I see Max emerge from the hallway. He looks as handsome as ever, casually dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Knowing every muscle of his body and those intriguing tattoos makes me blush. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, it feels like the rest of the world falls away.
I see a flicker of something in his gaze—whether regret or, longing, I can’t be sure. But then he looks away, and the moment is gone. He strides across the lobby, disappearing into the crowd of guests. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach. I guess it was just a one-night thing, and we’re not supposed to talk about it.
Taking a deep breath, I try to calm the pounding of my heart. I can’t let myself get distracted. Not today. This is Audrey’s big day, and I need to focus on being there for her. Plastering a smile on my face, I hurry over to the bride-to-be, ready to help her with whatever she needs.
As I approach Audrey, I push thoughts of Max to the back of my mind. Today is about celebrating love and new beginnings. Even if my own romantic life is complicated, I’m determined to make this day perfect for my friend.
As I help Audrey with her hair and makeup, I try to focus on the task at hand. But my mind keeps wandering back to last night, to the feel of Max’s skin against mine, to the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.
“Zoe, are you okay?” Audrey asks, her voice snapping me out of my thoughts. “You seem a little distracted.”
I force a smile. “I’m fine, just a little tired. We had a late night. You guys sure know how to throw a good rehearsal dinner.”
Zoe Harper, you’re such a liar. For all you know, the whole thing ended right after you ran off to your cabana and let Max rock your world.
Thankfully, Audrey nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening. I’m getting married.”
I squeeze her hand. “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride.”
“I knew it, you liar,” Lily says accusatorially. “I see that you tell all the brides the same thing during their wedding day. I thought I was special.”
I roll my eyes. “Seriously, Lil? Leave the dramatics aside.”
“ Joking ,” she mouths.
“Maybe it’s not us being beautiful brides but you, Zoe,” Audrey says, looking at herself in the mirror and touching the flower crown I just placed on her head. “You’re amazing at this makeup and hair thing. If the legal gig stops working, you can start working as an esthetician.”
“Sure.” I smile and nod. Would I have loved to be a makeup artist? Probably, but my parents would have disowned me if I had done it.
It’s the same reason why Lily couldn’t just be an artist. Well, now she’s a full-time artist. After that life-changing trip, she decided to do what she loves .
If I had the chance, would I stop working for the greediest corporate law firm in Boston? I will soon, but I wouldn’t become a makeup artist. A law firm for low-income people would really make a difference.
“It’s almost time,” someone calls out, snapping me back to reality. I quickly make the last adjustments, including fixing Audrey’s hair.
“Zoe, could you make sure my veil is straight? I think I just messed it up,” Audrey asks, looking at me with wide eyes as if she’s just ruined the perfect day.
“It’s totally fine,” I reassure her, adjusting the veil and smoothing out any wrinkles in her dress. “You look perfect.”
She takes a deep breath. “Thanks, Zoe, for being here and offering to do my makeup and hair after the makeup artist bailed on me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I smile, giving her a reassuring nod. “I’m glad to help.”
As Audrey heads toward the door, I take one last look in the mirror, touching up my own hair and makeup. Today is all about her, and I’m determined to make it perfect, despite the whirlwind of emotions still swirling inside me.
The room buzzes with excitement and nervous energy. As I watch Audrey prepare to take her first steps toward her new life, I can’t help but feel a mix of joy for her and a twinge of something else for myself. But I push those thoughts aside. This is Audrey’s moment. I’ll think about myself later. There’s a plan, I just need to set it all up .
With a deep breath, I follow Audrey out of the room, ready to face whatever the day brings—including, inevitably, Max.