Ed was marrying Tawnee, Fern’s cousin, who was a little gal with chestnut hair and chocolate eyes that twinkled when she laughed. Ed was committed to no commitments when it came to our group, but the minute he met Tawnee, he was hooked.
Tawnee pointed to Fern’s face. “Girl, are you okay?”
She waved. “Yes, I’m fine really.”
Tawnee nodded and pointed to me. “You look like shit.”
I spoke through gritted teeth. “Thanks.”
“Now Fern, let me introduce you to the bridesmaids. This is Pam Bolden. She’s dating Andrew. And this other beauty is Katie Loradams who has been brave enough to claim Dan as her own.”
Pam was a tall, blonde bombshell who instantly pulled Fern in for a hug. “So great to meet you.”
Katie was petite with dark hair, and eyes that screamed I like to party. “Glad we’ll get to know each other this weekend.”
“Me too. Thanks.” Fern’s smile lit up the room.
Tawnee’s gasp nearly sucked the photos off the wall as she grabbed Fern by the hand and pointed to the glass towers and floral backdrop that sat in the corner of the room. “Fern, did you freaking do all of this? They’re beautiful! You’re the best Maid of Honor ever!”
Fern spun around with pride on her face as she pointed at me. “Actually, Gabe is the best Maid of Honor ever. I would’ve never been able to finish these without his help.”
Laughter boomed, and I looked at her while she shrugged her shoulders. “Fern, what are you doing to me?”
Dave pointed to Andrew. “You grab the hairbrush so we can braid Wolkowski’s hair and play paddy cakes.”
Before I knew what I was doing, I dove for Dave’s legs and tackled him to the ground. I got him in a headlock as he chuckled.
“You’re still a puss!”
I looked up to see everyone standing there, looking down at us, before Liv cleared her throat. “Okay, for the grownups in the room, how about we whip up some Bloody Marys?”
Everyone walked into the kitchen as Novots suddenly reached around and grabbed me by the face as I squeezed his neck harder.
“I’ve got you where I want you, Wolkowski.”
At the moment, I had him where I wanted him, contained, but I also had a lingering concern that one way or another, the weekend pass might just be the end of me.
Chapter 6
Weekend Fun
By lunchtime, we all sat around the kitchen table finishing the chili, all of my worries about the bridesmaids I didn’t know melted away as we laughed and talked like old friends.
Dave pushed his chair back. “Wolkowski, this is good grub, man. The host with the most.”
Gabe nodded. “Thanks. Speaking of that, I have a few things planned.” He pointed to me. “Fern, would you like to fill everyone in?”
Pam clapped her hands as her eyes darted around the table. “Lay it on us.”
I felt my smile was too wide. “Well, first off, ice fishing.”
Liv and Pam exchanged looks as Katie popped a brow. “Ice fishing?”
Pam wrinkled her nose. “Uh, no thank you?”
I could see this would be trickier than I’d anticipated. “Ladies, it’s actually ‘gishing’,” I used air quotes which normally isn’t my thing, but it felt right. “It’s like glamping but fishing instead. Like, glam-fishing.” I think I just invented a new word. You’re welcome. “Yeah, I was in Europe a few months back, and it’s all the rage.” Clearly lying to my new friends was happening.
Liv gasped. “Really?”
