Erika laughed, and then we all started laughing with her. Mom opened the front door, came rushing out, and ordered Erika to come back inside, but she refused to listen.
We all walked back to the cars, leaving our pain in the broken pieces of glass on the ground, and starting over again—together. Kellan rode home with Erika in her car, and Logan drove mine.
“Hey, I was thinking… Want to have some crazy, wild sexual escapades before the event at Jacob’s restaurant tonight?”
I shrugged, unamused. “I guess. Or, we can watch the new documentary on Michael Jackson that I bought yesterday and eat leftover pizza and raspberry Oreos.”
His eyes widened. “Oh my God. I love it when you talk filthy to me.”
He kissed me, and I knew that our forever was beginning that very minute.
***
“Okay, so here’s the plan. I go to Jacob’s restaurant and help set up all the final details. You go to Kellan and Erika’s place, pick them up, and talk them into coming out for drinks, which Kellan will agree to, Erika will refuse going out, and then somehow still end up coming because she loves Kellan and will do anything to make him happy,” Logan explained, standing up to leave after we watched the documentary.
“Right.”
“God. I’m nervous and the party isn’t even for me,” he grinned. I gave him a kiss as he hurried out of the house.
“Are you sure you don’t want a ride to Jacob’s?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s nice out. I’ll see you soon!”
After he left, I headed straight over to my sister’s place, where she did exactly as Logan thought she would, refused to come.
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea to go out for drinks, Alyssa. We’re both pretty tired,” Erika frowned. “Maybe next week.”
“Ah, come on! It will be fun! Plus, Logan’s working tonight at Jacob’s so we can annoy him by ordering food and sending it back nonstop. It will be so epic!”
Kellan smiled. “That does sound kind of fun. And I miss fun.”
Erika narrowed her eyes. “You want to go?”
He nodded rapidly.
“Seriously? You’re not tired?”
He shook his head rapidly.
She sat in deep thought for a moment as Kellan and I gave her the biggest puppy dog eyes she’d ever seen. When she finally gave in, we both cheered with excitement.
“One appetizer and one drink! Water for this dude,” she smiled, nodding toward Kellan.
“Just so you know, I’m going to sip my water really, really slow.”
When we arrived at Jacob’s restaurant, Erika frowned. “Why is there a closed sign on the door? It’s six in the evening.”
“I don’t know, that’s weird.” I grabbed the handle and turned, opening the door. “It’s unlocked. Come on, let’s see if Jacob is here.”
The moment we stepped inside, Erika gasped as she saw all of the wedding decorations. The place was packed solid with all of their friends, shouting, “Surprise!”
“What’s going on?” Erika asked, her eyes shooting back and forth.
Jacob came over, wrapping his arm around Kellan. “I’ll take care of this guy, and Alyssa, you help your sister out. The ladies room is free for you both.”
“For what?” Erika asked, still flustered, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her along with me. When we stepped into the bathroom, her hands covered her mouth. “Why is my wedding dress here, Aly?”
I smiled, almost feeling her overwhelmed energy. “I thought you knew? You’re getting married today.”