Chapter 21
Lainey
“Lainey, this is amazing,” Chloe says, throwing her arms around me in a quick, tight hug.
We step into the VIP room of the club, already buzzing with excitement.
Soft golden lights cascade over the velvet seating, the shimmering wall décor reflects our theme of “Last Fling Before the Ring,” and a line of champagne flutes and sparkling water glasses glint on a small bar in the corner.
The setup is perfect—classy, fun, and exactly what I wanted for Chloe’s night.
Chloe and Janelle’s wide smiles spread across their faces as they take it all in. Casey and a few of our work friends from Luminous trail behind them, chattering excitedly and taking in the luxury of the VIP setup.
Chloe gives me an awestruck look. “You really went all out.”
I feel a burst of pride. For tonight, everything is about celebrating her, and it feels so good to see her happy.
“Only the best for the bride,” I reply, guiding her over to the main seating area where the gifts are already stacked and waiting.
Janelle grins, handing Chloe a glass of sparkling water instead of champagne, following my lead as I take one for myself.
I’ve been feeling off since last weekend’s bridal shower, so I’m not taking any chances by drinking tonight.
I thought it was just a mild food bug, but with it still coming and going a week later, maybe I should get it checked out.
For now, though, tonight is all about Chloe.
Once everyone’s seated and settled, Chloe dives into her pile of gifts, her face lighting up as she unwraps each one. Lingerie in every color and style emerges from the bags—red lace, emerald satin, black silk—and each one draws laughter and playful teasing from the group.
“Oh, wow,” Chloe says, holding up a daring black bustier with a plunging neckline, her cheeks turning pink. “I think Wyatt’s going to lose his mind over this one.”
“That’s the point!” Janelle winks, tossing a piece of confetti her way.
We all dissolve into laughter, the room filled with easy energy and teasing as Chloe continues unwrapping gift after gift. It’s so easy to get lost in the fun, letting the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses drown out the nausea that keeps trying to creep up.
Finally, Chloe reaches my gift—a delicate, champagne-colored lace set with intricate detailing that’s elegant but understated. She smiles as she pulls it out, giving me a warm look.
“Of course, Lainey would pick something that’s both sexy and classy,” she says, holding it up. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
I smile, relieved that she likes it.
Chloe grins, folding the lingerie back into the box before launching into the next gift.
As the laughter swells around us, I glance down at my glass of sparkling water, gripping it tightly as another wave of queasiness rolls through me.
I take a slow sip, hoping it’ll pass, and remind myself to schedule that doctor’s appointment soon.
With the gifts finished, the energy in the room picks up even more.
Casey nudges Chloe toward the door, and I give Janelle a playful smirk as we all follow her out of the VIP room and onto the dance floor.
The music in the club is already pulsing through the space, and the neon lights wash over us as we step into the crowd, making everything feel surreal and electric.
Chloe spins around, grabbing my hand, her face beaming with excitement. “Come on, Lainey! Let’s dance!”
I laugh, letting her pull me into the heart of the dance floor.
The beat vibrates through my chest as we fall into rhythm with the music, our bodies moving and swaying with the crowd around us.
For a moment, I forget everything—the nausea, the responsibilities, and the uncertainty—and just focus on being here with Chloe and our friends, celebrating her happiness.
Janelle joins us, looping an arm around my shoulders as she laughs and dances, her enthusiasm infectious. “You did good, Lainey,” she says, leaning close so I can hear her over the music. “This night is perfect.”
I smile, feeling a rush of gratitude. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
The night blurs into a series of songs, each one louder and more vibrant than the last. I lose track of time, the hours slipping by as we dance and laugh, a whirlwind of movement and lights.
Chloe is in her element, her face glowing with happiness, and I feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing I helped make this happen for her.
But as the night goes on, the queasiness returns, sharper than before. I take a few deep breaths, willing it away, but it’s persistent. Leaning closer to Janelle, I murmur, “I’m going to grab some water. Be right back.”
She nods, giving me a thumbs-up before turning back to the music, lost in the beat.
I make my way over to the bar, ordering another sparkling water and pressing the cool glass to my forehead for a moment. The bartender gives me a sympathetic look as if he’s seen plenty of partygoers needing a breather, and I give him a small, grateful smile.
It’s probably nothing, I tell myself. But it’s lasted long enough. I’ll call the doctor on Monday.
After a few sips, I start feeling steady again, and I take a deep breath, letting the bubbles calm my stomach.
Setting my glass down, I glance over at the dance floor, where Chloe and the others are still going strong.
I’m determined not to let anything pull me away from celebrating her tonight, so I shake off the lingering queasiness and head back into the crowd.
Chloe spots me as soon as I rejoin them, throwing her arms around me with a huge smile. “Lainey! This is the best night ever!”
I laugh, hugging her back. “That’s all I wanted.”
We dance together, surrounded by our friends, and I let myself get swept up in the music again.
The crowd moves around us. The lights flickering in patterns that almost feel like magic.
Chloe pulls Casey into our little circle, and soon we’re all dancing and laughing, spinning to the rhythm as if the night could last forever.
Janelle leans over, raising her eyebrows as she gives me a knowing look. “This has been quite the party, Lainey. You’ve outdone yourself.”
“Thanks, Janelle,” I say, giving her a smile. “It was worth every minute of planning.”
A familiar song begins to play, one of Chloe’s favorites, and she shrieks with delight, pulling us all closer.
We dance, laugh, and shout the lyrics at the top of our lungs, completely lost in the moment.
It feels like a dream—one of those rare, perfect nights where everything just falls into place.
But as the night goes on, I can’t shake the persistent queasiness. Every time I think it’s gone, it sneaks back, reminding me that something isn’t quite right. For now, though, I push it aside. I can worry about it later.
Tonight, I’m here for Chloe, and I’m going to make every second count.