Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
R onnie watched Bailey and the others leave with a sigh.
What she wouldn’t give to be on her way home to bed right now. She had a big day on the slopes ahead of her.
With Dallas.
A stupid surge of giddiness caught her unawares, and she had to tamp down a giggle.
A freakin’ giggle .
So, okay. That was weird. She took a sip of her water. But even without Dallas’s participation, she was actually looking forward to spending time on the mountain. And that felt good.
It’d been too long since she’d been eager to hit the slopes. She’d gotten used to facing her time on her board with a dull sense of dread, so to be excited was a pleasant surprise.
Maybe this break really was all she’d needed to get her head on straight.
The music cranked up a notch, and Ronnie flinched. She really would love to slip into bed right about now. But this was Margot’s night, not hers. And so she watched Bailey go as Margot ordered another drink and Willow…
She laughed softly. Well, Willow seemed to have taken it upon herself to start up a new dance floor out here in the main bar area. She’d pushed a couple of tables aside and was going to town, seemingly oblivious of all the people staring.
She shook her head. Willow might be drunk, but at least she was a fun drunk.
“To me!” Margot raised a shot glass, and Ronnie bit back a groan.
The shot was a vibrant blue, and while she didn’t know the actual name of it, she was gonna go with Bad Decision.
And sure enough…
Seconds after her sister drained the glass, she went deathly pale, her sloppy smile disappearing as she started to sway on her feet.
Uh-oh.
“Margot?” Ronnie darted forward just as her sister clapped a hand over her mouth and pushed away from the bar. With a curse, Ronnie captured Margot around the waist and helped her to the bathroom.
“Hold it,” she quietly begged as she hauled her sister down the short passageway and elbowed the door open.
They made it just in time, Ronnie slapping the toilet lid up as Margot dropped to her knees.
The sounds coming out of her sister were far from pleasant, the smell even worse, and Ronnie fought her own gag reflex as she held Margot’s hair in a ponytail.
“Ronnie?” Margot moaned once she was finally done.
“Yeah, hon?”
“Can we go home?”
Brushing a loose tendril off Margot’s pale cheek, she smiled down at her sister. “Yeah, of course.”
She wanted to sigh with relief, but she couldn’t just walk out of here and forget about Margot’s friends, not to mention Willow…
“Give me a minute, okay?” She stroked Margot’s hair back as she nodded miserably. “I’ll be right back.”
Ronnie rushed out of the bathroom and headed for the bartender, who had the air of a man who’d seen it all.
“I have to take my sister home,” she called above the music. “Any chance you can make sure these girls get home safely?”
He gave her a pained frown but nodded anyway. “I’ll get them into Ubers.”
“You’re a champion. Thank you.”
Responding with a thumbs-up, he walked to the other end of the bar to deal with a drink request, and Ronnie cast a wary eye to the girls at the other end of the bar. Willow was still dancing and clearly in her own little world.
Ronnie winced, glancing back at the bartender and hoping he’d be true to his word.
She should probably stay and make sure, but…
Margot needed to get home.
And the bartender had promised.
It was the best she could do.
“I’ll settle the check now,” she told the man when he wandered back her way, making sure to leave a hefty tip for his kindness in looking after the strays who were staying behind.
He seemed to appreciate the gesture and gave her a smile that eased her nerves. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on them.”
“Thank you.” She grabbed Margot’s purse and explained the situation to the most sober girl in the bunch.
She whined and pouted that Margot had to leave, grabbing Ronnie into a tight hug. “Tell her I love her and I’m so happy for her and she’s gonna be the most beautiful bride and?—”
“Okay.” Ronnie untangled herself from the octopus embrace and smiled at Margot’s friend. “I’ll pass it on.”
Before the girl could say anything else, Ronnie dashed back to the bathroom.
Her sister was still slumped against the wall, her head lolled to the side.
“Margot?” Ronnie crouched down, lightly slapping her cheek.
Sucking in a sharp breath, her sister opened her eyes and gave her a dopey smile that quickly morphed into a tearful blubbering. “I want to go to bed.”
“Okay, sis.” Ronnie stifled a laugh as she heaved her sister up, taking most of her weight as she led her out the door. “Let’s get you to bed.”