Page 42 of The Friendship Pact

Maggie peered over her shoulder. “Paige is going to love them!”

Chloe stared but said nothing. Kate cringed, thinking maybe she had gone overboard.

“I don’t think I can eat that.” Chloe pointed to the most risqué dessert.

Maggie burst into uncontrollable laughter and placed a hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “I have to say, it’s anatomically correct.”

“Tell me you didn’t use my brother as a model,” Chloe said.

Paige, Lily, Alexis, and Rachel walked in and joined them at the table. “What did you use Nick as a model for?” Rachel asked. She looked down. “Oh. Oh!”

“I did not use Nick as a model. We’re just friends!” Kate’s face heated. Giggles erupted around her. She wanted to crawl under the table.

Maggie side-hugged her, aware of her distress. “Kate made the cupcakes I requested. And they are magnificent. You’ve totally outdone yourself. Thank you so much.”

Paige wore a similar dress to Kate’s, except hers was sleeveless and she wore fishnet stockings with four-inch heels. Her hair was teased high on her head. “They really are amazing, Kate.”

Feeling better knowing that the bride enjoyed her designs, Kate relaxed. “Congratulations, Paige. You look stunning.”

“Thank you, you do too. Thanks, you guys, for celebrating with me and for dressing in ’80s garb.” Paige hugged everyone then pronounced, “I need a cupcake.” She picked up the one that had horrified Chloe and placed her mouth around it, sucking in the frosting. She wiped her mouth and grinned. “Yummy!”

Chloe’s jaw dropped, and the rest of the room erupted in laughter. This was going to be a fun night.

Maggie handed blow-up guitars to Paige and Alexis. “These will help sell the look of the Bangles when we head into the bar for karaoke.”

“Very cool,” Alexis said. She wore a black blouse with sheer sleeves and a short black-and-white skirt. Her short spiked blonde hair and knee-length black leather boots rounded off her ’80s rocker look.

“Here you go, Kate.” Chloe handed her a pile of slim metal bracelets. “I forgot to include these in the boxes.” She gave the jangly bangles to all the girls. Kate slipped them on and wiggled her wrist back and forth. “Fun.”

Chloe had arranged their very own bartender for the evening, and he’d created a signature drink for the occasion: a fruity rum cocktail adorned with pineapple, cherries, and colorful stir sticks and mini umbrellas. Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” played softly over the speakers. Karaoke night at the Blue Ox would start within the hour.

Maggie stood and tapped her fork against the hurricane glass. “Okay, ladies. Let’s fill our plates with this delicious food chef John made for us. Then, each one of you has a gift to open, a thank-you for coming tonight.”

“Like we needed to be persuaded with gifts,” Lily said and toasted Paige. Lily had teased her hair into true ’80s rocker style, gaining her another two inches of height. She wore a black leather skirt and a white silk tank under a studded black leather jacket.

Maggie continued, “You all know how much fun I have shopping and since we will be sisters, Paige, I wanted to contribute. Besides, I couldn’t let Chloe have all the fun.”

Everyone piled their plates high and took their seats. The song switched to Heart’s “What about Love.” Lily and Rachel faced each other and sang a few notes.

“Paige, you start,” Maggie said.

“Okay.” Paige tore into her gift bag and pulled out an array of seven colorful thongs, one for each day of the week. Lack of fabric allowed for only the first letter of each day.

“Ethan will love these!” Paige giggled.

“Chloe, do you carry them at Rural Chic?” Lily asked.

“Uh, no.”

They all laughed.

Maggie bumped shoulders with Chloe. “You’re such a prude.”

“I’m really not.”

“Kate, why don’t you go next?” Maggie said with a devilish smirk.

The look she got had Kate worried. She delicately removed the tissue from her gift bag and pulled out a pair of pink furry handcuffs and a box of condoms in rainbow colors. “Ahh . . . thanks?” Her cheeks heated, and she downed her drink. She had a feeling she would need continual liquid courage tonight.