“Aria! You made it!” I run to her and wrap my arms around my friend. We sway side to side excitedly in a hug. “When did you get in?”
Aria opens her mouth to speak but is quickly cut off by Kate grumbling behind her. “It was about two in the morning.”
I cock my head, trying to piece together the tension.
Aria shrugs. “It was late when the guys dropped me off. You know, my brother and I were on the road for three years, and we never experienced traffic as bad as 695. I was exhausted, and it was dark. I said I’m sorry.” She turns in Kate’s direction before turning back to me, grimacing. “I kind of tripped over her.”
I begin to laugh when I notice that Kate is on an air mattress close to the front door.
My laughter increases when Kate rises and stomps over to the bathroom dramatically, mumbling, “If by kind of, you mean fell fully on top of, then yes.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have been so close to the front door,” Aria responds sassily.
I love how perfectly she blends in with this group.
Kate closes the bathroom door with a little more force than necessary.
I have to wipe the tears in my eyes from laughter. “Don’t mind her. She is not a morning person.”
“Huh. You don’t say? And here I thought I wasn’t a morning person.”
I wrap my arm around Aria, pulling her in for another hug. “I’m so glad you guys are here.”
“Me too. You know we wouldn’t miss it.”
&nb
sp; At that moment, my mom, Liz, and Natalie walk in with a tray full of breakfast pastries and trays of Starbucks coffees.
I stand and kiss each one of their cheeks. Natalie pulls the first coffee off her tray and hands it to me. “Coffee with almond milk for the bride.”
I inhale the delicious aroma and take a seat back on the couch.
Natalie and Liz pass out coffee to all the girls, and Mom walks back into the kitchen to grab the second tray of pastries.
Aria accepts the coffee from Haylee’s mom and moans when she brings the cup to her mouth. “Oh my God, you are going to be my best friend today.”
I giggle. “Rough trip?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Girl, you have no idea. I hope Hunter got some rest.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. I left a tray of cinnamon rolls in the kitchen at home, just for him.” I take another sip of coffee and feel myself coming to life as well.
“And he will be your best friend today or possibly forever. He was hoping he could have some before we left.” Aria smiles, reaching for a pastry from the table.
We all settle into our seats in the living room, sipping coffee and munching on delicious pastries.
“Okay, so before the stylists get here, Dani, I wanted to give you something,” my mom says, reaching into her bag.
Natalie clears her throat, and Mom rolls her eyes. I can’t help but laugh as I see so much of Haylee and me in our moms.
“Okay, we have something for you.”
I adjust myself on the couch, along with Haylee, Aria, and Lauren. Kate has emerged from the bathroom and is currently curled up in my brother’s favorite chair.
“As you know, there is a wedding tradition of having something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”
I nod, as I’m familiar with the tradition. When we were planning the wedding, Mom told me not to worry about it, that she would be taking care of it.