Chapter Twenty-Two Bachelorette
Haven
“T he wedding is in three days, and I’m officially freaking out,” I tell Marie over the phone. Two months have flown by in the blink of an eye, and I feel like I’m scrambling to get all the final details of the wedding put together. It’s not even a big wedding! It shouldn’t be so stressful to plan!
“What about Christian? Is he freaking and it’s making you freak?” she asks.
“No, I don’t think so. He seems fine and I’m losing my mind,” I groan. In fact, he’s been cool and calm throughout this process, helping me when I ask and letting me spend whatever I need to in order to make this event happen.
“Do you want to come out with me?” Maris asks. “Get a little wild and forget about wedding plans for an evening? It could be your bachelorette party!”
“Bachelorette party?” I hadn’t even considered having something like that. Thinking back on our trip to New York, I remember how much fun it was to just get away and enjoy myself for a bit. Maybe another dose of that will help calm my nerves.
“That actually sounds like a good idea,” I murmur.
“Great! Call me back after you’ve asked Christian.”
“Asked Christian? Why? He’s not my dad.”
She snorts. “He’s going to be your husband, though.”
“Not yet.”
She’s right, and when I hang up, I go into Christian’s office. He has the door propped open, so I just walk on in. I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable in this house and with my husband-to-be, and I don’t hesitate to talk to him like I might have when I first moved in.
In the two months since I’ve lived here, Christian and I have only grown closer. Even though I still have my own room, I sleep in his every night. Our sex has only gotten hotter and more intimate as we’ve become more comfortable with each other. I’ve never had a man want me as intensely as Christian does, and when he touches me, my body responds to him in a way that’s primal and almost out of my control.
I’ve been loving every minute of it.
Of course, it hasn’t just been Christian getting used to having me around. Oliver was confused at first, why I had moved into the house. When Christian had explained that he was going to marry me and we’d all be a family, Oliver hadn’t really understood but he was happy to have me around. Settling into a motherly role with him has been an adjustment, but I’ve become so attached to the kid, I can’t really imagine my life without him now. The first time he called me mommy, I broke down into sobs of joy.
Walking into Christian’s office, I find he’s absorbed in some documents spread out across his desk, so I move forward, lean against the edge of his desk, and clear my throat. "Hey."
He looks up, his face softening. "Hey yourself. What’s up?"
I take a deep breath and dive in. "So, Marie and I were talking, and we realized that I haven’t really done anything for a bachelorette party. I’ve been so focused on wedding planning and keeping things together that I haven’t even thought about celebrating."
Christian’s brow furrows slightly as he sits back in his chair. "A bachelorette party? I didn’t think you were into that sort of thing."
I laugh, trying to keep the mood light. "I wasn’t planning anything big, but Marie convinced me that we should go out, just the two of us. You know, kind of an impromptu bachelorette night."
He frowns. "Out where? Like, out to a club?"
"Maybe," I say, shrugging. "Nothing wild, though. Just some champagne, some dancing, blowing off steam before the wedding."
Christian’s jaw tightens for a split second, and I notice the way his eyes narrow slightly, even though he’s trying to hide it. "And you didn’t think to mention this earlier?"
I raise an eyebrow, surprised at the sudden tension in his voice. "I’m telling you now. It wasn’t really planned—Marie and I just decided like two minutes ago. I figured you’d be okay with it."
He runs a hand through his hair, his usual calm demeanor shifting into something a little more guarded. "It’s not that I’m not okay with it, Haven. I just… I wasn’t expecting it. You’ve been so busy, and now, all of a sudden, you’re heading out for the night to some club with Marie?"
There’s an edge to his tone that I didn’t anticipate, and I cross my arms, feeling a little defensive. "Christian, it’s just one night. I’ve barely had any time to enjoy things, and I need this. I need a night to relax and have fun. It’s not like I’m going out to do anything crazy. Besides, you didn’t mind sending the two of us to New York for the weekend."
He exhales, his eyes darkening as he looks at me. "I know that, but you weren’t clubbing in New York. The idea of you out there—at a club, drinking, guys looking at you—it doesn’t sit right with me."
"Guys looking at me?" I repeat, my voice rising slightly. "Christian, come on. This isn’t about other guys. It’s just a night with Marie. You don’t have to worry about me."
He reaches up and places a hand on my arm, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I do worry about you, Haven. You’re about to be my wife, and the thought of you out there, without me, it… it makes me uneasy."
His reaction is really throwing me for a loop—the jealousy and the protectiveness are unexpected responses. I should have seen it coming, but I didn’t expect it to hit this hard. I meet his gaze, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Christian, I’m with you. I’m not going out to meet anyone, and you know that. I need to have a little fun before the wedding. I need a break from all the stress. Can you understand that?"
His jaw clenches for a moment, and I can see him wrestling with himself, trying to find the right words.
"I get it," he finally says, his voice softer now. "I do. I just… I don’t like the idea of you out there, especially with everything going on. What if something happens?"
"Nothing’s going to happen, Christian. It’s just dinner and dancing. You know Marie will keep me in line."
He smirks at that, but the worry in his eyes doesn’t completely fade. "I trust you. It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s everyone else."
"I’ll be careful," I reply softly. "And I’ll text you if anything comes up. But please don’t worry about me. I need this night with Marie."
He exhales again, this time more slowly, his hand coming up to cup the back of my neck as he pulls me in close. "Okay. I won’t stop you. But just… don’t stay out too late, alright?"
I smile against him, feeling the tension ease from his body. "Deal."
***
Several hours later, around nine in the evening, I’m ready, wearing a rose gold colored club dress and a pair of black stilettos. I think I look pretty good, and I have to admit I hope that Christian thinks so too.
I walk back to Christian’s office, a little unsteady on my heels at first, and stand in the doorway. He’s on the phone, but he stops speaking mid-sentence when he sees me.
“I’ll have to call you back," he says to whomever he is talking to as he hangs up the phone. “Come here,” he says in an authoritative tone, and I can’t help my feet from moving toward him.
He reaches out, grabbing onto my hip bone and pulling me closer to him. I straddle one of his legs, as he looks me up and down.
“You’re going out in this?”
“You don’t approve?”
“I approve, all right.” Then he lightly slaps me on the ass and I jump. “Have fun tonight, but come home to me, yeah?”
“Yes, sir,” I say with a teasing grin.
He arches a brow and growls, “Oh, I like that. You better get going before it’s too late.”
I shift to stand, but he tightens his hold around me.
“Christian, what…”
He cups the side of my face and pulls me down into a hard kiss. I gasp and he slides his tongue into my mouth. The kiss is hot and demanding and I’m breathless when he pulls back and smirks up at me.
“So you don’t forget who you’re coming home to,” he growls.
Grinning, I move off his lap confused as to why he would think I’d be going home to anyone else. “I’ll text you later.”
“Have fun,” he calls as I stride back out of his office.
Marie arrives minutes later and I open the door to meet her out on the porch.
“Oooh, you look sexy,” she says with a whistle.
“Thank you,” I reply with a grin. “Let’s get going. I ordered us a car.”
“You ordered us a car? Jesus… I’m going to enjoy having a rich friend,” Marie teases.
The car arrives moments later and we crawl in to head downtown.
The cool, crisp air of Blue Ridge wraps around Marie and me as we step out onto Main Street, the sky already deepening into shades of indigo and lavender. It’s peaceful, familiar, but tonight, there’s an undercurrent of excitement running through me. Marie is practically bouncing beside me, her arm hooked through mine as we walk toward the first stop of our night—The Blue Lantern, the local pub we’ve been coming to for years. The neon sign flickers above the door, casting a soft blue glow over the sidewalk.
“I know it’s not New York, but I promise we’re going to make this night unforgettable,” Marie says with a grin, her eyes twinkling under the streetlights.
I laugh, feeling my nerves settle a bit. “It doesn’t need to be New York. This feels perfect—just what I need.”
Inside the pub, it’s cozy and warm, the wooden beams overhead making the space feel like a mountain lodge. The familiar faces of locals greet us as we walk in, a few raising their glasses in acknowledgment. Marie gives a little wave, and we make our way to a corner booth, settling in with a view of the whole place.
“Okay,” Marie says, pulling a small notebook from her bag with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I’ve got a plan. First up, we start with cocktails. Then, we hit the dance floor at The Ridge, and maybe—if you’re feeling brave—we stop by the karaoke bar.”
I groan, but a smile tugs at my lips. “Karaoke? Really?”
Marie grins, flipping through her notebook like she’s got the whole night meticulously planned. “Oh yes. This is your bachelorette party, and I fully expect you to let loose tonight.”
The bartender swings by, and Marie orders us something fruity and strong. The drinks arrive quickly—vibrant, colorful cocktails with little umbrellas perched on top—and I take a sip, the sweet and tangy flavors instantly lightening my mood.
“To you, the future Mrs. Tallow,” Marie says, raising her glass.
I laugh, clinking my glass with hers. “To us, and to an amazing night.”
The pub fills up as the night progresses, more familiar faces popping in to join the festivities. A few of my old friends from high school show up, and soon our small booth becomes a hub of laughter and conversation. It’s not a wild, extravagant party, but it’s exactly what I needed—surrounded by the people who know me best, in a place that’s always felt like home.
After a couple of rounds of cocktails, Marie insists that we make our way to The Ridge—a tiny but lively club on the outskirts of town. It’s a place I haven’t been to in years, but as soon as we walk in, the familiar pulse of music and the low, colorful lights bring back a flood of memories. The dance floor is small, but it’s packed, and the energy inside is contagious.
“Come on!” Marie yells over the music, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward the center of the floor. I laugh, already feeling the music pull me in as we weave through the crowd. The beat is heavy, the kind that makes it impossible to stay still, and soon we’re dancing like we’re the only two people in the room, twirling and laughing, completely caught up in the moment.
I lose track of time, the hours blending together in a blur of music, dancing, and laughter. The tension that had been sitting in my chest for weeks—the pressure of the wedding, the arrangement, everything—melts away. Tonight, I’m just Haven celebrating a night that’s about more than just the wedding. It’s a reminder of who I am, where I’ve come from, and the life I’m building.
Some time later, the music continues to pulse through the club, a steady beat that vibrates under my feet and echoes the excitement thrumming in my veins. Marie and I are perched on high stools at the crowded counter, sipping colorful cocktails with little umbrellas—her idea, of course. The bartender winks as he slides another drink our way, and we clink glasses, laughing at nothing and everything.
"This is exactly what I needed," I shout over the noise, tossing my hair back. "A night to just let loose!"
Marie grins, her eyes sparkling. "You're not getting cold feet, are you?"
"Not a chance!" I reply, grinning from ear to ear. "Just enjoying my last night of 'freedom,' as they say."
She raises an eyebrow mischievously. "In that case, maybe we should find some trouble to get into."
I laugh, but something—or rather, someone—catches my eye across the room. Sitting alone at a small table near the back is Garrett, hunched over a glass, his gaze distant even amid the swirling energy around him.
"Is that Garrett?" I nudge Marie, pointing subtly in his direction.
She follows my gaze. "Your brother? What's he doing here all by himself?"
"Good question," I murmur. "Come on, let's go find out."