CHAPTER 1 #2
Before Vicky could answer, Sky pointed at her. "This is Vicky."
CC's eyes widened. "Well damn."
Vicky blinked.
CC stepped closer. "No, seriously. Well damn." The bride circled her once, looking her over with absolutely no shame.
The hostess, Brenda, laughed. "Oh Lord. I'm Brenda. Her host and keeper, obviously."
CC stopped directly in front of Vicky. "You are gorgeous."
Vicky felt her face warming. "Thank you."
"I'm serious."
Then CC did something entirely unexpected: she gave Vicky a gentle smack on the backside.
The touch wasn't strong enough to hurt, but it was enough to startle her, making her nearly jump.
Instead of reacting, Vicky crossed her arms, looked at CC, and deliberately jiggled her ass to give her more to look at.
"CC!" Sky screamed through a half smile.
The bride burst into laughter. "What?" she said. "I'm complimenting her."
Brenda doubled over, laughing even harder, and Sky nearly spilled her drink. Vicky stared at all three of them with a confident smile. She finally felt seen.
CC shook her head dramatically. "Damn girl, you're blessed."
Her eyes dropped toward Vicky's thighs before she covered her mouth and laughed at herself. "See? This is why I shouldn't drink." She looked embarrassed by what had just come out of her mouth.
The moment somehow made Vicky laugh too.
CC embraced her with both arms, giving a warm and sincere hug. It wasn't fake or merely polite, but the kind that makes others feel truly welcome. When she pulled away, she pointed at Sky.
"I want your word."
Sky raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"Get her drunk."
Vicky immediately shook her head. "No."
CC ignored her. "I mean it. I want her laughing, dancing with my strippers and acting a damn fool."
Sky nodded solemnly. "I promise."
"She's lying already," Vicky muttered.
The women laughed. "It's only one weekend," CC said.
Before anyone could respond, a commotion erupted from the opposite side of the ballroom. Heads turned, conversations halted, and phones appeared. The reaction spread across the room like a wave.
CC glanced over her shoulder, then smiled. "Oh hell."
"What?" Vicky asked.
"Watch."
A group of women entered through one of the side entrances, talking, laughing, and moving together toward the ballroom floor. At the center of them stood a tall woman whose presence seemed to naturally draw attention in her direction.
Several guests broke away from their conversations the moment they spotted her.
One woman rushed over for a hug while another pulled out her phone.
Within seconds, people were asking for selfies, pictures, introductions, and stories.
The woman accepted it all with easy confidence, smiling, laughing, and posing for photos without hesitation, yet somehow never looking overwhelmed by any of it.
"That's Celeste," Sky said.
Vicky heard the shift in her voice and glanced over. Sky was now smiling but not like at the other guests or at the male strippers. This smile felt different.
CC pointed dramatically. "Come on."
"We're going?" Vicky asked.
Brenda was already on the move, with Sky following. As they neared, Vicky got a clear view of Celeste. She stood out even among a crowd of stunning women.
A sleek black leather catsuit hugged her athletic frame from neck to ankle, showing off powerful legs, narrow hips, and a toned waist softened by curves, making her look approachable rather than intimidating.
Six-inch black stilettos added even more height to her already commanding presence.
Her nails were painted glossy black. A black Louis Vuitton purse hung effortlessly from one shoulder.
Her hair was impeccable, with a stunning lace-front wig perfectly framing her face.
Dark waves cascaded around black-rimmed Louis Vuitton glasses that gave her an air of sophistication and danger, or made her the sexiest nerd in the room.
Everything about her exuded black, boldness, and beauty.
Her smile illuminated the space around her.
Brenda arrived first — the two women squealed and embraced.
"Oh my God!" Brenda yelled. "You made it!"
"Bitch!"
They laughed and hugged again. CC arrived a second later and crashed into both of them, half drunk. The three women nearly stumbled over each other laughing.
Celeste hugged CC tightly. "There she is!"
"You look ridiculous," CC said.
"You jealous?"
"Absolutely."
The women laughed again.
Sky approached more slowly, and the closer she got, the more Vicky noticed the tension in her face.
Not nervous or uncomfortable, but something deeper and personal.
Sky stopped a few feet away without saying a word, and when Celeste looked up, their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else seemed to disappear.
Celeste grinned. "Damn bitch," she said loudly. "You gonna just stand there looking like fresh caramel?"
The women around them immediately faced them with closed mouths. Sky shook her head. The tension cracked.
"Bitch, if you don't kiss me..."
Celeste stepped forward, grabbed Sky by the shoulders, and planted a quick smooch directly on her lips.
The room erupted when CC let out a dramatic scream.
Sky couldn't help but laugh as she stepped forward and pulled Celeste into a hug.
The two women held each other for a moment, smiling as the noise and excitement swirled around them, before finally stepping back.
"Look at you," Celeste said.
"Look at you."