“Food’s here!” Ivie announces at the sound of the doorbell.
“She’s so happy,” Nadia whispers to me. “She’s giddy. I’ve never seen her like this. Ever.”
“I know, and I like it. She’s excited to marry him. He makes her happy.”
“Clearly.” Nadia turns her shrewd eyes to me. “When’s it your turn?”
“He hasn’t asked me. Besides, it’s too soon.”
“He’ll ask,” she says simply as a man rolls a big table full of food into the room. “You can leave that there. We’ll take over.”
After he collects his tip and leaves, we each pile plates full of food and sit at the table.
“So, you’re getting hitched.” Nadia shoves some melon into her mouth. “I want to see the dress.”
“After I eat. I don’t want to mess it up,” Ivie replies. “Tell us about your honeymoon. Where have you been again?”
“Bora Bora,” she says. “Let’s just say it’s been nothing but sex, lying in the sun, eating all the food, and more sex.”
“God, that sounds horrible.” I shake my head, feeling only a little jealous. “Your skin is glowing. Is that from all the sun, or all the sex?”
“Both.” Nadia eats a strawberry and turns to Ivie. “Are you and Shane taking a honeymoon?”
“Not right away. I don’t know where I want to go. He said we can go literally anywhere, and that overwhelmed me, so I’m thinking about it.”
“There’s a resort in Bora Bora I can recommend,” Nadia says with a wink. “Do we have time to go shopping? Or should we wait until after the wedding?”
“Depends on what we’re shopping for,” I reply. “Actually, strike that. No, we don’t have time. When Nadia shops, it’s an Olympic event. We’d better save that for tomorrow.”
“I never got Carmine a wedding gift,” she says. “And it’s been bothering me. He not only got me this ridiculous rock but he also bought me a new car. Like, a whole car. A Porsche. I mean, who does that?”
“The Martinellis,” Ivie and I say in unison, making us laugh.
“What are you going to get him?” I ask her.
“There’s a special Rolex that I want to get him. And it’s rare. But I made some calls on the down-low, and a boutique here has one in stock. They’re holding it for me.”
“Carmine likes watches, doesn’t he?” I ask.
“Yeah. It’s like me and handbags,” Nadia replies with a shrug. “He’ll die when he opens it. So, we’ll go fetch it tomorrow morning. What did you get Shane, Ivie?”
Ivie blushes and then shrugs. “Nothing yet.”
“But you have a plan.” I lean forward. “Spill it.”
“We’re going to try to get pregnant,” she says. “I want babies, you guys. And he does, too. So, we’re working on it.”
I blink at her. “Your wedding gift to Shane is the possibility of children?”
Ivie frowns. “Well, yeah. I guess. Damn it, is that lame?”
“Kinda lame,” Nadia says. “We can do better than that.”
“I don’t think he needs a watch,” Ivie says, thinking it over. “And he has all the electronic gadgets anyone needs. He doesn’t wear jewelry. He’s not fancy. Dear God, what do I get him?”
“Okay, don’t panic,” I say and reach over to put my hand on hers. “Obviously, there’s no huge rush here. Just think it over and get him something sometime.”
“Yeah, okay.” Ivie takes a breath. “I’m going to show you guys my dress before the hair and makeup girls get here. Come on.”
We file into the suite’s second bedroom and watch as Ivie unzips a long garment bag, then peels it back.
“Holy shit.” Nadia walks closer. “It sparkles.”
“This is gorgeous, Ivie.”
The dress is white and covered in gorgeous crystals that sparkle in the light. It’s form-fitting and looks like the hem will hit just below the knee.
The bodice has a sweetheart neckline, and it’s strapless.
“You’ll be a bombshell in this,” I inform my friend. “Shane will pass right out, and the boys will have to pick him up.”
“I hope so,” Ivie replies just as the doorbell rings again. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road.”
* * *
Ivie is gorgeous in her dress, with her hair loose and curly, and her makeup done absolutely perfectly.
Nadia chose a red cocktail dress with a lace neckline, and I’m in a purple number that I’ve been dying to wear somewhere.
All of the guys are in suits.
Shane sprung for the best elopement package, complete with a photographer, flowers, and music.
And I have to admit, it’s really beautiful.
“You married me.” Ivie cuddles up to Shane in the limo, her bouquet still clutched in her hand.
“And I’d do it again,” Shane says, kissing her on the forehead.
“Rafe and I put our heads together,” Carmine says, catching all of our attention. “And rather than go out to eat with a bunch of strangers in a restaurant, we brought the party to us. We’ll be in a private dining room at the hotel.”