Chapter 26
Rosa
This was quite easily the weirdest week of my life.
Even though I’d been technically married for several days, I was sitting at a glossy table in one of the only strip clubs in New England at my own bachelorette party…
a bachelorette party that my own mother planned for me.
Surrounded only by acquaintances since my mother hadn’t invited any of my closest friends.
Not even Hazel.
Not that I could really blame Hazel for not being here. She should be on her own honeymoon right about now… although knowing those two, they were likely back in New York already and she was probably about to go on for Act 2 of her show.
“Darling, move closer to the stripper and smile!”
Startled, I looked up from the vodka soda I was nursing.
The vodka soda my mother shoved into my hand because I needed to “fit into my wedding dress” on Sunday.
The whole display was painfully similar to the night Noah and I got married and I couldn’t help but smile as I pictured his grimace, sipping the crappy light beer.
I blinked against the blinding light coming off my mother’s phone camera as she took several pictures of me and the stripper.
“You seriously want photos of me and this random guy?” I asked and shielded my eyes.
“Yes! Now scoot in and smile with the exotic dancer, Rosa! Honestly.”
Honestly? Like I’m the weird one right now?
I glanced up at the man standing next to me, clad only in a bowtie and black g-string and sighed as he gave me an apologetic shrug.
Bending down, he kneeled beside me as I reluctantly slid my chair closer to the nearly naked stripper, forcing a smile while my mother snapped a few photos.
I couldn’t believe this was happening — a bachelorette party planned entirely around my mother's wishes, without any input from me… you know… the bride .
When I thought the night couldn’t get worse, Morgan appeared in front of me, holding a cocktail that was bright pink and looked so much more delicious than my bitter and bland vodka soda.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised to see her standing in front of me as if she belonged in my friend group.
“Noah’s party is upstairs,” she said simply.
“It’s one of those dual clubs,” my mother chimed in. “You know… where the men perform down here but the women dancers are upstairs.”
Dammit. Even at my own bachelorette party, I couldn’t escape Noah and his friends . If we were calling them that.
“Ah,” I said as I brought my drink to my lips and took a slow sip. I definitely didn’t want to end up sloppy drunk around these strangers my mother had invited. Especially not in front of Morgan.
I watched in dismay as another bride across the room shrieked and stuffed dollar bills into a man’s g-string.
This was so far from my idea of a good time, it was almost comical.
What are the chances I could fake an illness and escape?
But before I could even pretend to start the headache, the music changed to a thumping beat and my mother grabbed my hand, pulling me up onto the small stage. "Time for your spotlight!" she squealed.
“I’m sorry, my what ?”
“You heard me!”
“Oh my God, Mama, no!”
My objections were drowned out by the music and screams and whistles as my mother pushed me into a chair center stage.
I sat, frozen in horror as two nearly naked strippers gyrated around me, their thrusting junk, mere inches from my face.
I buried my face in my hands, wanting nothing more than for this embarrassing bachelorette party to end. But just as I was contemplating making a run for the exit, I heard a familiar voice call out my name.
“Rosa! Don’t pretend you haven’t had more dicks than that in your face before tonight!”
I looked up from my hands, only to have my eyes meet with a familiar face. "Hazel!" I exclaimed in disbelief.
My best friend pushed her way through the crowd until she was standing at the front edge of the stage. Hands thrown in the air, she sang, “Surprise! You didn't think I would miss my best friend's bachelorette party, did you?" she said with a grin.
Then, without asking permission, Hazel hopped up onto the stage.
I jumped up from the chair, no longer caring about the strippers or Morgan or my mother's antics and launched myself into Hazel’s arms, hugging her tightly.
"I wanted to surprise you!" Hazel said. "Your mother told me about your bachelorette party and I just had to come.”
I whipped around to look at my mother who snapped another picture of Hazel and me hugging. “You invited Hazel?”
Mama rolled her eyes. “She’s your best friend. Of course I invited her!”
“Thank God you came!” I said, hugging her once more. “You single-handedly just saved this whole night.”
"Girl, you have no idea. Now come on, let's get you off this stage," Hazel said, shooting a quick glare at my mother. She grabbed my hand and led me down the steps to safety.
My mother started to object but Hazel waved her off. "Rosa looks overwhelmed, wouldn’t you say, Francesca?”
Mama’s mouth opened, but quickly shut with her stammer. “Well, bachelorette parties are meant to be a little embarrassing for the bride. That’s the whole point!”
Hazel smiled in a way that I knew was lethal. “Well, I'm taking over bachelorette party duties now. We'll be back in a few minutes!" she said, taking my hand with a mischievous wink.
“Where are you going?” Mama called after us as Hazel tugged gently on my hand.
“To have a cigarette!”
“Rosa doesn’t smoke!”
“No, but I do!” Hazel yelled over the crowd.
Before my mother could argue anymore, Hazel had whisked me out the door into the cool night air. I took a deep breath, the pulsing music fading behind us.
“You don’t smoke,” I said, enjoying the peace.
Hazel shrugged. “No, but your mother doesn’t know that.”
"I can't believe you're actually here!" I said. "How did you even know where to find me? And where’s Reid?”
“He’s with Noah and West.”
“Oh.” Right. Well, at least someone I know and trust will have eyes on Noah and the whole Morgan situation.
“So… you and Noah decided to give this thing a go?” Hazel asked. “You really don’t mess around, do you? Wouldn’t give the guy a single date for almost two years and then BAM! Married .”
I rolled my eyes at her. “You know that’s not the situation. It’s… it’s a marriage of convenience. That’s all.” It was nice to say it aloud. To have someone other than Callie know the truth.
“So you two haven’t… consummated anything?”
My cheeks went hot and I looked down at my shoes as I scuffed them along the sidewalk. Even if I wanted to lie to Hazel, she’d see right through that. “That was a mistake,” I admitted. “The guy he is when he’s alone with me isn’t the real Noah.”
“How do you know that? How do you know what you’re getting isn’t the real Noah and everyone else is seeing the fake Noah?”
“You just have to trust me on this. I saw the real Noah today. And he cares way too much about what everyone else thinks.”
“I’ve known Noah a lot longer than you.” Hazel took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I get that he can be annoying, trust me, I do. So many of us actors are insecure and broken. But people make mistakes, even big ones. And Noah is genuinely sorry. He told me so earlier today.”
I shook my head slightly. Hazel had always been quick to forgive. But that just wasn’t me.
"He's beating himself up over this, Rosa. He wants to make it right. When you love someone, you have to be willing to give them another chance when they mess up."
“Who says I love him?”
Hazel rolled her eyes. “Girl, please. I’ve known Noah almost my whole life and you’re like the sister I never had. I know when you’re in love. And I definitely know when he’s in love.”
My eyes shot to hers. “He’s in love with me?”
“Are you joking? He’s crazy about you. I think he’s been in love with you for years. For God sake, you two got a dog together within days of drunkenly eloping!”
I snort a laugh. “That’s your definition of love?”
“That’s not your definition of love?”
I bit my lip, considering her words. Is it true that Noah loved me? Already?
Hazel continued, "Relationships sometimes need an adjustment period. What if Reid and I hadn’t gotten our second chance? Don't let one mistake ruin that bond. I really think you should talk to him, hear him out."
I took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Okay. You're right, Hazel. I'll give him another chance to make this right."
“Great!” Hazel linked her arm through mine and walked us back toward the front door of the club.
“I’m not going back in there!”
“Oh yes you are! I’m not dealing with the wrath of your mother tonight. Besides, Noah’s inside.”
My eyes went wide. “You want me to talk to him right now ? At his freaking bachelor party?”
“Why not?”
“Because… what if… what if there are boobs in his face.” I whispered the word like we weren’t already in a strip club surrounded by half-naked dancers.
“I would bet my IRA account there are no boobs in his face.” Hazel checks her phone, distracted for a moment.
“First of all, I’ve seen your financial planning… and that bet doesn’t mean much. Second of all, it’s his bachelor party. Of course there’s gonna be boobs in his face!”
Hazel placed her palms on either side of cheeks. “Would you listen to me for a second? Trust me. Come back inside. And. Talk. To. Noah.”
With a sigh, I followed her through the front door, nodding at the bouncer and showing him the stamps on our hands. “Fine. But I’m coming to you if this blows up in my fac?—”
I froze mid step as Noah stepped out into the center of the stage, shirtless, in a bowtie and tight black pants, microphone in hand. “Rosa… this one’s for you. I’m sorry for today and I just need you to know how much I love you.”