1. Cherise #2
“Well, you might as well call up the hotel now because Miles and I barely have any alone time anymore, and when we do, we knock out from exhaustion. We have a lot of making up to do if you know what I mean,” Tessa said, wiggling her brows.
Layla didn’t even glance up from her phone.
“Please. Y’all are staying in a villa, not a hotel. And I already called dibs on the suite farthest from the fertility fiesta.”
A throat cleared behind us.
We turned in unison, all suddenly remembering that Grace’s mom had been sitting there the entire time, quietly sipping her champagne with a stunned look on her face as if she’d imagined every inappropriate word.
“Oh, hey, Auntie,” Tessa said with a smile.
Mrs. Martin raised a brow.
“What exactly is a fertility fiesta?”
Tessa took a long, slow sip of champagne. “A Bible study group,” she muttered.
“How are the twins?” Layla asked, clearly trying to change the subject. She kicked her heels off and curled her legs under her.
“Still attached to me like emotional barnacles, but at least they sleep now.” She sipped her drink. “Well…mostly.”
Savannah crossed her legs, flashing her diamond-studded sandals. “We don’t want kids for at least five years. Right now, we’re traveling and investing in our properties.”
Who even asked her? I rolled my eyes so hard I might’ve pulled an eye muscle. “Sounds fulfilling.”
She smiled at me with teeth too perfect to be sincere. “What about you, Cherise? Still managing that little restaurant?”
“Co-managing,” I corrected. “With Grace, and it’s far from little. Business is booming. We just launched a seasonal tasting menu.”
“Oh, wow,” she said, and I could already feel the bless your heart bubbling in her throat. “That sounds… quaint.”
I smirked. “My boyfriend Derrick says his clients practically beg him to get them a table. It’s his go-to for sealing deals and showing off.’”
That shut her up… Temporarily.
Savannah tilted her head. “Well, I cannot wait to see Derrick again at the wedding. Grace mentioned that he was…” She paused reaching for the exact level of fake-humble. “…very established now.”
I tilted my head to match hers. “Oh, he’s more than established. Owns his own real estate firm, closed five million in sales last quarter. Has a client list so elite, he’s legally not allowed to name-drop.”
Savannah’s brows arched. “Wow. Sounds… exhausting.” She sipped her champagne. “My husband just opened his third gym franchise. We’re flying out to Bali right after the wedding to scout the next location.”
Tessa choked slightly on her drink. “Totally normal sentence.”
Savannah smiled, unbothered. “He’s been featured in Men’s Health three times.”
I smiled back, already knowing she was going to take it there. “Derrick’s been featured, too. Forbes. Their Under 30 and Crushing It list.” I flipped my phone out, revealing Derrick’s magazine cover I intentionally put as my wallpaper for this very moment.
Layla let out a low whistle. “Okay, Derrick!”
“He’s tall,” I added with a dramatic sigh. “Broad shoulders, smells like black card, and loves him some Cherise. You’ll see.”
Savannah leaned in just a touch, her smile tighter now. “Well, I look forward to it. I always say you can tell everything about a couple from how they move together.”
“Good,” I said sweetly. “Because Derrick and I? We glide.”
Tessa mouthed “oh my God” into her glass, barely containing her laugh.
Savannah reclined like she was about to win the round. “You know, I always wondered if you’d end up with someone from high school. I mean… after everything.”
I know she didn’t.
My eye twitched, but I kept my smile painted on. “Funny. I always wondered if you’d end up with a personality.”
Savannah’s eyes widened, caught off guard for just a second, before Grace’s mom popped in to save the moment.
“All right, ladies. Let’s get a picture!”
We all gathered near the mirrors. Naturally, Savannah floated toward the center. I stepped to the farthest possible edge to get as far as I could from plastic Barbie.
Layla slid in beside me and whispered, “You’re glowing with restraint.”
“I’m doing it for Grace,” I whispered back. “Besides, jail orange is not my color.”
Grace's mom held up the phone and snapped a few shots.
“Okay, smile like you’re not secretly plotting each other’s downfall.” Tessa whispered to me.
I smiled.
We all did.
Then Grace came out of the fitting room in her street clothes, glowing from the inside out. Her mom immediately teared up again and wrapped her in a hug.
“You looked beautiful, baby. Absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you, Mom,” Grace said with a smile.
We all hugged, said our goodbyes, and filed out of the boutique. The minute we hit the sidewalk, the tension in my jaw let go.
My face hurt from smiling. My palms itched from resisting the urge to reach across the plush ottoman and rearrange Savannah’s highlight-contoured face. But I stayed seated. Grace was my best friend, and I had promised her a week of peace.
I could do this. I could smile, sip champagne, and pretend my life was just as Instagram-worthy as Miss Gym Wife’s.
When Derrick walked in with his movie star jawline and that cocky little smirk?
Savage-annah wouldn’t know what hit her.