by Carly Morgan
“It’s like you read my mind,” Katie said. “See you in a few.”
***
Birdy knocked on Katie’s door. She had her makeup, hair stuff, and clothes in her hands.
When Katie opened the door, she sang, “Open the door and come in,” to one of their favorite Wilson Phillips songs.
Birdy hugged her. “Everyone thinks I’m the crazy one, but we both know that’s not true, don’t we?”
“Shhh, it’s a secret.” Katie closed the door.
“Wait until Max finds out.”
“Oh,” she waved her hand at Birdy. “He already knows. Apparently, he likes crazy. I’m just worried about everyone else.” She giggled, taking Birdy’s stuff and putting it in the bathroom.
Birdy took off her flip-flops and tucked them under the bed.
“What happened to your feet?” Katie came over.
The bandages Ares had so tenderly put on her feet had fallen off. “Ares and I watched the sunrise at the top of a volcano this morning and then rode down on bikes. I loved it, but my feet did not.”
“They look like they hurt. Want me to get some stuff from the front desk?” Katie sat on the couch next to Birdy and picked up the phone.
“Nah, but you can use that thing to order our desserts.”
Katie laughed. “On it.”
While Katie ordered, Birdy listened to the music playing. She’d forgotten how much she liked this song and how appropriate it was. She really was happy Katie had found love with Max. They were happy together and she had no doubt they would be forever.
“What are you thinking about?” Katie asked.
Birdy sat back. “Just that I’m really happy you and Max found each other.”
“Thanks, Bird. Me too.” She set down the phone. “Food will be here in about twenty minutes. Why don’t you tell me about Ares while we’re waiting? The two of you have been spending time together.”
Birdy blushed. She hadn’t meant to. It just happened, which was so unlike her. “He’s different than I expected,” she said after a few minutes.
Katie’s face filled with happiness. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for months and months.”
Birdy smirked before smiling. “I know, but you should know I’m stubborn and have to do things my own way.”
“Tell me about it.” Katie smacked Birdy on the knee. “What have you two been up to?”
Birdy knew she was asking about the outings, but the first thing that came to mind was the kiss. “He kissed me,” she blurted.
Katie squealed, covering her mouth and falling over on the couch. “You’re kidding me! How was it?”
Birdy’s blush grew hotter. It made no sense. She’d kissed a lot of guys and told Katie about them like it was nothing. But that wasn’t the case with Ares. She felt his kisses from the top of her head all the way to her toes. He gave her tingles. He made her heart race and melt at the same time. “Whoa,” she said fanning her face.
“From your reaction, I’m going to guess they’re amazing,” Katie said. There was a knock at the door. “Cake,” she yelled, running to the door.
The guy wheeled it in, but the aroma of the gooey chocolatey goodness arrived before he did, making Birdy’s mouth water. “That smells like heaven,” she said, coming over to the little table where he placed the treat.
“Thanks,” Katie said, tipping the guy before he left. When she came back, she sat, and picked up a spoon. “Tell me everything.”
Birdy proceeded to tell Katie about the kisses while they ate the double chocolate cake with berries and whipped cream. After they ate, they got ready. Birdy did Katie’s hair, straightening it so that it went all the way down past her bra. Birdy did her makeup in smoky colors, making her blue eyes pop. Then she picked out a red floral tank top with a V-neck and a pair of jean shorts for Katie to wear.
Birdy chose a blue lace tank top with white shorts. Because of her blisters, Katie gave her a pair of socks which Birdy wore with a pair of nude ankle boots. Thankfully Birdy had small feet. She left her hair long and curly and chose very little makeup. She wanted Katie to be the star of the show.
At a quarter to eight, Birdy got a text from Meredith. Where are you? Josh and I are at your door.
“Meredith is freaking out,” she said to Katie as they did the finishing touches on their look. Gold for Katie and silver for Birdy.
“Poor thing. She probably realizes she missed out on something great.”
“Well, she did. Double chocolate cake, Wilson Phillips, and guy talk. She’s going to be bummed.” Birdy texted Meredith back. I’m in Katie’s room.
“Maybe we shouldn’t tell her,” Katie said, sliding on her faux leather wedge sandals. They had five-inch heels, which made her almost as tall as Birdy.
“Agreed.”
On our way over, Meredith texted. Save all the fun for the camera.
Will do, Birdy texted back, showing Katie.
“Poor Meredith,” she said. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Katie said.
***
The arrived at the karaoke restaurant, were seated, and had ordered in record time. Even Marcy was there, which made Birdy happy. She leaned over to Katie. “We need to make sure we include Marcy tonight. I feel really bad that she’s been mostly on her own,” she whispered.
Katie agreed. “She and I have hung out a little bit. We went shopping this morning, but still. You’re right.”
The food consisted of fancy but fast pizza. They ordered several different kinds, all of them delicious. Birdy’s favorite was the one topped with mozzarella, asiago, basil, tomatoes, and garlic. She ate three pieces. Once everyone finished, they moved closer to the karaoke area. People were already singing. Some very badly. Others pretty well. Birdy made sure to sit on one side of Marcy while Katie sat on the other.
“Do you like to sing?” Birdy asked her.
She wrinkled her nose. “I prefer to play the piano.”
“Are you going to get up there?” Katie asked.
Marcy shrugged, looking at the list of songs they could choose from. “Maybe. Are you?” She smiled at Katie.
“I’m definitely not a singer, but if Birdy gets up there with me, I’ll do it.”
“How about the three of us,” Birdy said, perusing the list as well.
“Which one should we do?” Katie studied hers.
“How about ‘Hold On’ by Wilson Phillips?” Marcy pointed at the song listed nearly at the bottom.
Birdy and Katie exchanged a look.
Marcy’s gaze jumped between them. “What? You hate that song?”
Birdy shook her head. “Quite the opposite. Wilson Phillips is our favorite band from the nineties. We listen to them all the time.”
“What Birdy is saying is you’re our sister from another mister.” She reached over and hugged Marcy.
Birdy joined in.
Marcy laughed. “You two aren’t related, are you?”
“No, but we might as well be,” Birdy said, hugging her tighter.
For the next two hours, everyone got up and sang. Ares and Birdy didn’t get much of a chance to talk, but they agreed to sing a song together. They did ‘You’re the One That I Want’ from Grease. Ares actually had a pretty good voice. Birdy’s parents put her in singing lessons when she was young so she could carry a tune, but Ares was better than that.
“I swear you can do everything,” Birdy said breathlessly after they walked off the stage.
“Not really,” he said. “But you sounded great.” He hugged her, kissing her cheek.
Birdy, Katie, and Marcy sang their song followed by Dean, August, and Matthew. Georgie and Meredith sang a song too. They tried to get Josh to put down his camera and get up there, but he refused. Instead, Katie and Max sang a duet. That was super sweet. When the night was nearly over, everyone talked Max into singing one of his songs. He asked the restaurant management if that would be okay, and they happily agreed. The manager even rolled out a piano from the back. Max
and Marcy talked a few minutes before he got on stage.
“This goes out to the love of my life. My one and only, the lovely Miss Katie Green.” He nodded to Marcy.
She began to play. Max tapped his foot in time with the music. Then Marcy looked at Max.
He started to sing.
I think we must have met before the world began.
No doubt it was part of His master plan.
You kissed me in the moonlight and that’s when I fell.
Heaven couldn’t hold me.
With you I will forever dwell.
Like a star seeking light, your inner beauty shines so bright.
From deep within your soul…
Within seconds, Katie was crying. And by the time Max finished, Birdy was crying too. The song was beautiful, eloquent, and the loveliest lyrics she’d ever heard. Her eyes sought out Ares, her heart full. He turned and gave her a magnificent smile.
“You’re supposed to save your wedding vows for the big day. No fair,” Dean shouted.
The crowd laughed.
“Might as well kiss the bride,” Dean continued.
Katie ran up to the stage and kissed Max lovingly. The crowd cheered.
“That was beautiful, man,” Ares said when their group was all back in the fun bus.
“It really was,” Birdy agreed. She watched from the window as the scenery glided by. Her heart was full and heavy, but she didn’t know why. She was a jumble of emotions.
“It’s all because of you, man,” Max said.
At that, Birdy faced Max. “Who?” she asked, thinking it was one of his brothers, but he was patting Ares on the back.
Ares winked at her.
“You?” Birdy couldn’t believe it. But on further thought, she should’ve known. The man could do anything.
“We were talking and he got all poetic on me.” Max play-punched Ares. “I told him he should write all of my songs from now on.”
Ares glanced at Birdy, an unexpected look on his face. It was then she realized just how much Ares cared for her. That knowledge took her breath away. “That’s awesome,” she said, her voice shaking. Her words sounded lame, but she didn’t know how to respond. Her feelings for him were still so new. Strong? Sure. Powerful? Definitely. But still new.
As she got ready for bed that night, she kept thinking about the look on Ares’ face. What was happening between them? It was different than anything she’d ever experienced before. And she wasn’t sure what to do about it.
Chapter Fourteen
Georgie woke her at nine the next morning, which was still early, but better than yesterday. “Morning,” she said, letting herself in, Meredith right on her heels.
“Why did I give you a key?” Birdy groaned, covering her head with a pillow.
“Because you hate mornings, but you know you need to get things done.” Her assistant was all vivacity and sunshine.
“What do you want?” Birdy mumbled, refusing to move.
“Come on, Bird, get up,” Meredith said.
“Seriously? I’m still in bed, Mer. Don’t you have someone else to bother?”
“No, I don’t. Now get up. It’s only three days until the wedding and you have a bachelorette party to plan.”
The woman was right, sadly, but that still wasn’t enough of an incentive to get her out of bed.
“I brought you a caramel cream cronut and iced coffee,” Georgie said in her best sing-song voice.
“And this is why I hired you.” Birdy rolled out of bed and onto the floor where she reached for the coffee sitting on the table.
“You’re so dramatic,” Georgie said.
“Yeah, so what’s new.” She sipped several swallows until she started to wake up. When she felt alive, she crawled over to the couch and sat. “Katie doesn’t want the usual bachelorette party with drinking and all that other revelry. But it needs to be fresh and epic,” she said. She’d looked up some ideas on line, but nothing really stood out to her.
“Agreed. Do you know what Ares is doing for the bachelor party?” Georgie asked.
“No idea.” They hadn’t talked about it. Really, they hadn’t talked about the wedding at all. Every time she thought about him and their kiss and their time together, her stomach lit with giddiness.
“What about the slumber party night we talked about?” Meredith asked.
“Boring,” Birdy said, biting into her cronut. “Mmmmm, this is so wrong but so good,” she said after she finished chewing.
“I know. I ate one on the way over,” Georgie said.
“What about a mani/pedi night? We could hire professionals to set up in Katie’s room—”
“So boring,” Birdy interrupted.
Meredith huffed. “You need to get those things done before the wedding. The party could serve two purposes.”
“What about dinner at a nice restaurant?” Georgie suggested.
“Incredibly boring.”
“Well, you come up with something then,” Meredith said, crossing her arms.
“Give me a minute.” She finished her cronut and thought about all she wanted to do as well as the ideas she’d read online. One blog had suggested all of the people participating could write advice. She liked the idea, but they were such a small group, they’d be done in minutes. Another blog suggested they go to a theme restaurant. She knew there was an Elvis diner in town. From the pictures, she’d seen they had a juke box and that it was set up with fifties décor. “I’ve got it,” she said, sitting up. “Let’s do a scavenger hunt.”
“Huh?” Meredith looked confused.
“We can do an adventure party where we have to go to different places. While there we can bowl or whatever and there can be some kind of advice at each place too.”
“But there will only be Katie, you, me, Meredith, and Marcy. And since we’re going to be the ones setting it up, it’ll be like we’re just following Katie around,” George said.
“But it’ll still be fun.” Birdy explained about the Elvis place. “We could do a roller rink, eat at the restaurant, I’m sure there are plenty of fun ideas.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Georgie admitted. She stood. “We’d better get started. It sounds like we have a lot to plan and it’s always better if we go talk to the management in person.”
“I still need to get dressed,” Birdy said, glancing down at her pajamas. Her phone pinged. It was a message from Ares.
Max told me you’re planning the bachelorette party for Katie. My ideas include fishing, boating, or working out followed by cake and a high five. Help.
Birdy laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Georgie asked. She was on her phone, like always and didn’t look up when she spoke.
“Ares doesn’t have any idea what to do for the bachelor party. Should we include them in our hunt?”
Georgie looked up.
“We could make it a race. Guys against girls,” Birdy added.
“We will have a serious advantage,” Georgie said.
“That’s okay. You know we’re going to win anyway.”
Georgie giggled. “I like it.”
Josh gave her thumbs up.
For the briefest moment, she’d forgotten about the show, and ratings, and the cameraman that would be catching her every move on film. She sighed, then texted Ares, telling him the idea.
That sounds awesome. But I want to help. How about you leave Georgie and the two of us can plan the event together?
At the prospect of hanging out with Ares, she smiled. Meredith read Ares’ text. “How about I’ll plan the party and you can help Katie with any last-minute wedding details or whatever. Then it will be more of a surprise. Plus, you probably should go over the guest list and talk to the hotel to make sure everything is in order.
Birdy had already planned to do those things anyway, but she agreed. She liked the idea of not knowing. “Fine, but remember these are good, Christian people. Nothing racy. Nothing raunchy. Sweet is great. Dating advice. Things like th
at.”
Meredith went to the door. “I know exactly what I’m going to do. It’ll be a blast. Don’t you even worry about it.” She left without another word.
Just hearing Meredith saying not to worry caused Birdy to worry. But she took a deep breath and texted Ares the news.
I like that plan. He texted back.
Me too.
Because now we have the day to play. Any ideas?
She thought about it. A walk on the beach. Shopping. She didn’t know. What are you thinking?
I’ll come up with something. Text you later.
Later, she replied, and fell back into bed.
“That’s your plan for the day?” Georgie asked. Birdy could hear the disappointment in her voice.
“Just for a minute or an hour. Not too long.”
“Why don’t you call Katie?”
Katie was an early riser. She had no doubt her best friend was up. “Fine, but why don’t you go find something to do? And take Josh with you.” She glanced at the cameraman who’d already stood.
“No can do, Miss Birdy. Meredith knows we missed something when you and Katie hung out last night before karaoke and she refuses to miss another moment.” He cleared his throat. “I’m not allowed to leave your side unless you’re indisposed,” Josh added.
That was the most she’d heard from the man in a long time. “Josh, you’re so eloquent.” She let out a deep breath. “Fine.”
By the look on Georgie’s face, Birdy realized she’d hurt the girl’s feelings. “Hey, I’m just saying, why don’t you go get a manicure? Do something for yourself. That’s all I meant.”
“I know.” She sniffled. “But isn’t that why you brought me? To save you from yourself.”
The young woman was right. “I suppose so.” She thought a moment. “Why don’t you make a reservation for you, me, and Katie to spend some time at the spa? On me,” she added.
Her assistant smiled. “I’ll get right on that.”
“Good and I’ll call Katie.” She dialed her best friend’s number.
“Birdy, I was just about to call you. The wedding coordinator just informed me there was a problem with the flowers—a storm or something. And I’m not trying to be insensitive, but it’s my one and only wedding, and I need it to be perfect. But if I can’t have the yellow roses, then my colors will be ruined.” Katie got all of that out before Birdy had a chance to say a word.