17. Indie
SEVENTEEN
Indie
“ Y ou look like the raccoon who lives behind the barn,” Taylor quips as she hands over the steaming hot to-go coffee cup.
Covering my mouth to hide an ill-timed yawn, I get out a broken “screw you” that sends her laughing on her way to the chair in front of the waiting hairdresser.
Her wedding day is finally here and she’s glowing like the stars Brooks whisked me away to lay under last night. My chest warms when I think about our time together, but it’s immediately followed up with an ache from knowing today’s our last day. I leave for the airport first thing in the morning to head home.
I suck down the delicious latte, praying it brings some much-needed life to my system. Sleeping in an open field wasn’t on my bingo card for this trip, but I don’t regret it. Waking up in his arms as the first rays of dawn sprung up from the horizon is something I’ll never forget.
“Wow, you really wanted to make me work for my fees today, huh?” the vibrant woman holding a curling iron asks me as I sit down in front of her.
“Tell me there’s some hope.”
“Honey, I’m the best in a three-county radius. There’s nothing I can’t do.”
I give her a gracious smile and get lost in the chatter of the busy room. Some bridesmaids mill about, waiting for their turns to get glammed up with hair and makeup, while others sit on the patio, enjoying the morning sun with plates of the delicious breakfast spread that Taylor’s family put out for us to graze on.
“So, where did you and Brooks disappear to last night?” Taylor asks with a mischievous smile painted on her beautiful face. After so many years of friendship, I can tell when her questions are leading.
“Was the vibrator your idea?” I deadpan.
Her laughter erupts loudly, drawing the attention of the other girls, and an annoyed huff from the woman doing her hair when she doubles over, pulling the curling iron wrapped tightly in her blonde locks with her.
“I should have known it wasn’t Spencer.”
“It’s my favorite! That setting before the annoying pulsing. Gets me every time.”
It got me alright. Got me all hot and bothered and off, while Brooks watched in awe at the sight of me falling apart. Thinking about it has my core tightening and my mind wondering how much longer it will take to tame the monstrosity on my head so I can find him and drop off Spencer’s wedding gift.
An hour and a half later, I wobble from the chair, my ass asleep from sitting for so long. My flaming red curls that bounce with each step are worth the tingle as the blood rushes back. The makeup chairs are all full, but it gives me a chance to pile a small plate with fruit and pastry and grab a second much-needed cup of coffee.
The room has grown stuffy, the heat from the tools and the crush of bodies making the air thick. Stepping onto the patio, a cool breeze brushes over my exposed legs, the silk robe we’re all wearing swaying gently in the wind. The estate is bustling with last-minute preparations, hands moving quickly to get everything ready. On the table beside me sits Taylor’s gift for Spencer—elegantly wrapped in a matte black box with a silver bow. As Maid of Honor, it’s my job to deliver it before the ceremony.
Tay drops into the empty Adirondack chair next to me, her hair perfectly pinned in place and the glow of natural makeup accentuating her bright eyes and full lips. I love seeing her this happy and at ease for the day. All her militant, bridezilla behavior is paying off in full. The day’s going to go off without a hitch.
“I really wish you weren’t leaving tomorrow,” Tay says wistfully.
“Why? You’re leaving for your honeymoon in the morning. You’ll be off on an adventure through Greece for the next two weeks.”
“But I’ll be home after that! I miss having you around and seeing you every day. I miss my best friend.”
“I miss you too. You know, you can always come and visit me. I’d say I have plenty of room, but if Spence is coming with you, you’ll probably want to book a hotel.” I laugh, knowing my tiny apartment barely houses me and all my stuff.
“It’s not the same and you know it.”
“Tay, can we not do this today? It’s your day. We don’t need to bicker about my living arrangement.”
“Fine, can we at least talk about what you’re going to do about Brooks?”
Just the mention of his name sends my heart galloping at full speed. I’ve been trying to keep him off my mind all morning, but it seems to be the only thing my head and my heart want to focus on.
What do they expect from me? I can’t just drop everything in California and move to Georgia, especially not here, in their tiny town where an event planning business would never survive.
I let out a long-annoyed sigh. “I don’t know, Tay. I hate to say this, but you were right, okay? It’s been nice getting to know him and he’s mind blowing between the sheets, but I can’t imagine doing the long-distance thing.”
She’s quiet for a moment, a rarity for Taylor, and I think she’s fallen asleep behind her thick lashes until she pops up like a damn jack-in-the-box.
“Did I ever tell you that Spence and I were together my last year of college? Like not together together, but together enough that I knew as soon as that diploma was in my hand and I was on the first flight back to this town, I was coming back to him.”
“Uhh, no. You definitely didn’t tell me that. I thought you didn’t meet him until after.”
“Spence and I have technically always been in the same circles. I mean, I’m sure you can imagine what it’s like here. We’re not much on a population map. He’s my brother's age, and it was never more than a polite nod of acknowledgment until the end of junior year. I can’t even remember what little family necessity had me coming home that week, but a week was all it took to know we’d be here one day.”
“Tay.” I drop her a warning look.
“I’m not saying Brooks is your Spencer, but I’m not not saying that either, babe. I’ve been watching you two this week and it’s clear there’s something there between you. I know your life is in California, but maybe don’t throw him away completely when you go back. Stay in touch. Technology makes it so much easier these days. Plus, I’ll fly you out whenever you want!”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“It’s my wedding day, and I’ll do what I want.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head but don’t argue, letting her suggestion fester and grow. I shake it off, hopping up out of the chair not so gracefully. “I should really go get my makeup done. We’re running out of morning.”
The makeup artist keeps it simple, not wanting anyone in the bridal party to upstage the bride. I’m clipping in the small gold hoops Taylor gifted to all of us when she sidles up next to me.
“Will you give Spence a message for me when you drop off the box?”
“Of course,” I answer.
She slips a note card with a wax seal on top of the small gift box. “Thanks, Indie. I’ll see you at the barn in a few.”
I hurry toward the other end of the house. My footsteps are quick and urgent since I only have twenty minutes to meet Taylor back at the barn before we leave for the church.
As I pass by, Taylor’s uncle motions me toward Taylor’s father’s den. The room on the other side of the dark wooden door erupts with raucous laughter. A TV blares sports highlights loud enough to drown out any attempt I make to get someone to answer the door. After a third unsuccessful try, frustration gets the better of me. I shove the door open with enough force that it slams into the chest of a man I don’t recognize.
“Sorry,” I mutter, barely glancing at him as I scan the room, looking for Spencer amid the chaotic mix of men. Before I can spot him, I feel a warm breath on the back of my neck, sending an unexpected jolt through me.
“You look stunning, Indie.” Brooks’ deep timber heats my body to the core.
I flick my gaze over my shoulder, ready to throw some witty remark his way. But the moment my eyes lock on his, everything in my head comes to a screeching halt. A now perfectly groomed beard frames his sharp jawline. His hair is slicked back with effortless precision that wipes away the casual bar owner I first met. But the blue suit, tailored to fit him like a new James Bond, has my brain completely short-circuiting. I open my mouth, but no words come out.
Caught in a trance, I turn fully to take him, every detail pulling me deeper into the moment of silence as my brain runs full steam ahead into my darkest fantasies with him as the headliner. But at that moment, my heel catches on the edge of the carpet. I stumble and instantly throw my arms out to try to steady myself. Instead, the small box I’d forgotten flies from my grip, spinning through the air in a graceful yet doomed arc.
As I watch the unfortunate scene unfold, Brooks’ arm tightens around my waist, firm, and steading, before he pulls me into his chest. The box hits the back of an unsuspecting groomsman’s head before falling to the floor with a soft thud.
“Always one for making an entrance, aren’t you?” he asks, looking down at me with a smoldering gaze.
“I just—” But he doesn’t let me finish that sentiment. He cuts me off with his pillow-soft yet demanding lips I could get lost in. He steals my breath away and the noise of the crowded room disappears. It’s as if the entire world fades into a quiet hum, leaving only us in this perfect, fleeting moment. His hands find my face, cradling it gently, and I sink into him further, surrendering to the heat of his skin connecting with mine.
A voice calls out from across the room, breaking into our private moment, and I spring away, eyes scanning for the small box still sitting in the middle of the floor.
“Shit, I have to get that to Spence. Do you know where he’s at? It’s a gift from Taylor,” I say, pointing at the gift about to be trampled under someone’s feet.
With a final kiss to my forehead, he pulls me over to it and plucks it from the ground before leading me quickly to the other side of the room and through an open door. Spence paces back and forth in a small office, wearing a path in the plush carpet.
“Hey, soon-to-be married man, I have something special from your bride.”
The mention of Taylor stops him dead in his tracks and his gaze swings to me, softening as he takes me in from head to toe. I’m quick to hand off the small box and note card, moving back to Brooks’ side. I pop up on my toes and drop a quick kiss against his lips.
“See you out there, handsome. Don’t let me trip this time.” I wink and disappear through the open door.