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She finally starts talking about the bachelor parties we have coming up in ten days but I’m barely listening.
A million things are running through my head. Last night. This morning. Her plans. The wedding. After the wedding. Her bucket list. How can anyone fucking concentrate on whether or not to combine the parties at the end of the evening for a nightcap?
Charlie blinks up from her notebook. Then covers it with her hand. “What was I talking about?”
I frown. “Is this a pop quiz?”
“Yes.”
“Where Pepper and Chase are staying the night of the bachelor parties. You suggested you and the girls at the cottage. Chase and me at Levi’s—although I don’t know why I need to crash there when I’m a ten-minute drive from his house, but alright. And if I looked distracted, it’s because I was deep in thought about how your plan doesn’t work.”
She jerks. “Why doesn’t it work?”
“Because you’re forgetting one minor detail. And he’s nine years old.”
“I’ll watch the little worm.” We both turn at Tessa’s raspy voice from behind the bar.
She’s leaning over the marble and gives us a bright smile. “I listen to conversations that don’t involve me when I’m bored.”
I don’t flatter her with a smile. I don’t even flatter my highest paying clients with a smile but give her a curt nod. “I appreciate that, but I don’t think my brother would.”
“You don’t think your brother would what?” Levi asks, coming down the stairs.
I frown up at him. He’s got a toolbelt around his waist and a dirty white t-shirt stained with sweat. “What are you doing here?”
“Dad asked me to fix a leak on the second floor.”
“Don’t we have a plumber for that?”
He grins. His teeth white against his tanned skin. “I asked him the same question and he answered with 'Don’t you have a sitter whose name isn’t Grandpa?’”
I chuckle and point. “Funny you should say that. We were just talking about the bachelor parties next week and Tessa here offered to watch the little worm—I mean Jackson.”
Tessa glares at me then shrugs at Levi. “The kid wiggles a lot.”
His face falls flat. “I’ll find another sitter for Jackson. Appreciate the offer.”
Tessa rolls her eyes. “Pleasantries are not required. Look, you don’t have to pay me, I’m just offering to help one night.”
“No offense Tess, but you’re not exactly the ideal candidate to care for a child. I’ll find someone else for that night.”
Pain flashes in Tessa’s green eyes but she quickly covers it with a scoff and returns to the other bar patrons. “Suit yourself, Indie.”
Charlie shakes her head as my brother disappears behind the back door. “That guy is the most eligible bachelor in town?”
“Hey, why don’t you invite Tess to the bachelorette party?”
Charlie follows my gaze. “Oh. That’s a good idea. Okay, I’ll ask Pepper.”
I check the time and set down my napkin. “Almost nine. You ready?”
She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth but her face brightens. “Yes. No. But let’s go anyway.”
The night air is crisp with an earthy scent as we approach the moonlit Hideaway Lake. Charlie inhales deeply. “Smells like wildflowers.”
“Are you nervous?” I ask, tossing down a bag of our things; a blanket, flashlight, and two towels.
“Immensely.”
