Chapter 25 #2
“I’m telling Sierra you said that!” I shout as he walks away. But Marley had to do this, she’d been open with him about this and he had to understand where she was coming from.
The next day, Blaze had called me to set up a surprise proposal at a sweet old gazebo. Very swoon worthy. Guess Marley had gotten through to him.
Melting deeper into the couch, I take a sip of my tea and flip on the TV. Some may choose to go out on a perfectly good Friday night, but me? I will be enjoying extremely dramatic reality television shows.
Beep, Beep, Beep… Beep, Beep, Beep.
My alarm sounds from the other side of the room.
I instinctively stick my arm out from under the covers and start to slam my palm against the nightstand, trying to turn the incessant noise off.
After what feels like an eternity, I remember my phone is no longer next to my bed.
I’ve started keeping it on the dresser across the room because it’s too easy to turn off and roll back over when it’s right next to me.
Groaning, I slither out of the covers and practically crawl across the cold floor, clawing my way up the dresser and smacking the off button.
The deafening beeping noise ceases as I squint at the alarm clock: 7:30 a.m. Perfect—just enough time to start coffee and take a quick shower.
Slowly making my way to the coffee machine, I hear a knock on the front door. Who’s showing up this early? Moving over to peek through the peephole, I see the handle jiggle. What the hell?
I steady myself and take a calming breath.
Over the last twelve weeks, I’ve been learning self-defense and even started beginner MMA classes.
I don’t know much yet, but I can put someone on their ass if they try anything funny.
The handle jiggles again, followed by a familiar voice: “Jenna! Let me in. I’m going to pee my pants! ”
Oh, thank God.
I swing the door open just in time for Marley to hurl her heavy dress bag at me. She races past me down the hallway and into the bathroom.
“Geez, took you long enough!” she shouts from the toilet.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting anyone until 8. Why are you here so early?” I ask, walking her dress over to the window and hanging it from the curtain rod.
“I couldn’t sleep. And Blaze has been in a cranky mood the last few days. Keeps saying something about getting all this wedding crap over with. How romantic, right?”
I giggle at her and then walk over, wrapping her in a hug.
“You feeling okay? Today’s going to be amazing!” I pull back to make eye contact with her.
“Yeah, I’m okay—just slightly nauseous. I’m not going to lie, I’m nervous.” Tears swim in her eyes, but a huge grin forms on her face.
“Well, we can always make a run for it,” I joke. Marley slaps my arm and rolls her eyes.
“Never going to happen.”
We link arms and head into the kitchen, grabbing giant coffee cups from the cupboard and filling them to the brim. Thank God Marley taught me how to set the coffee to brew in the mornings. It’s the only thing that drags me out of bed.
Before we know it, the apartment is overflowing with bridesmaids, makeup and hairstylists, as well as family members.
I’ve never been so happy for anyone like I am for Marley today.
As I watch her laugh and enjoy her day, I can’t help but feel anxiety at the thought of seeing Axel.
I’ve purposely avoided the clubhouse or anywhere I might run into him.
I know I shouldn’t care this much, that he was never truly mine to begin with, but I can’t control the constant pull I feel toward him.
Whenever I’m around him, I can’t stay away.
The last few months, Cal and I have been hanging out more, and he’s truly become one of my best friends.
It’s easy to spend time with him. We talk about everything going on in my life, and he gives me all the details of his insane dating stories.
That man is a perpetual bachelor, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to set him up on dates.
Sometimes I wish it would have been him.
He’s so easy to love. But when I think of Cal, my heart loves him as a friend—a brother.
I take a deep breath and straighten my shoulders.
I’m lucky to have this new set of friends that are quickly turning into family.
“Oh my God!” Marley’s mom’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
“What?” Marley asks, alarmed.
“The baker just texted and asked when we were picking up the cake. I forgot to put it in the contract that they would bring it to the venue.” She slaps her forehead with the palm of her hand.
“No need to worry,” I chime in. “I can just go and quickly pick up the cake and meet you all at the ceremony.”
“Are you sure? I can see if Blaze will have a prospect pick it up,” Marley says, looking thrown off by the situation.
“I’m already ready—no need to search around for someone. The bakery is nearby anyway.” I walk over to Marley and kiss her on the head. “You look beautiful, by the way. Relax and enjoy—I’ve got this handled!”
Marley mouths, “Thank you,” to me as I make my way out into the Arctic tundra.