Chapter 5
Girls’ Night
“Welcome to my humble abode, ladies.” Harper escorted us into her newly built ranch on the back of Rhett’s family’s property. With him working so many hours at the bed and breakfast, they needed to be close, but I was happy Harper wasn’t living in the inn anymore; it had been getting a little too cramped for her.
“It’s stunning.” Annabelle admired the modern-style home with dark engineered wood flooring and white granite everywhere while Caroline and I followed suit.
We ambled along on the tour of their three bedrooms, a man cave that resembled a grownup arcade, and the lavish designer kitchen.
The master closet was what dreams are made of. Running my fingers over the plush bench next to the island dresser in the middle of the giant space, I asked, “Have I gone to heaven? This is incredible.”
Harper swayed back and forth, looking around. “It is pretty great, isn’t it?”
“I’d say so.” Caroline danced around checking out all of Harper’s designer shoes and handbags, which were displayed on shelves. “You finally tossed the Rubbermaid bins you used to store your things in under you bed.”
Annabelle sang out, “Upgraded!”
Forgoing the black leather couch that was softer than a baby’s ass, we all grabbed pillows, blankets, wine, and our Chinese takeout, setting up a makeshift fort in the gigantic closet.
“To Harper and her amazing new home.” I raised my glass of Malbec high in the air.
“Cheers, ladies. There’s no other group I would rather share this moment with. Rhett thought I was insane for digging my heels in on having a closet this size, but I am so thankful that y’all get me.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket with a text message from an unknown number. Sliding my phone open, I couldn’t help but smile at the picture that downloaded. Trace had taken a full-length-mirror selfie in a John Deer shirt, faded blue jeans, and scuffed-up boots. It was captioned with:Finally in my element. Hope you’re having a wonderful girls’ night. See you tomorrow, gorgeous.
“Spill,” Caroline demanded while narrowing her blue eyes at me. “What the heck could be so amazing to have you all goo-goo-eyed over there?”
I hid my face in a pillow while giggling like a middle-schooler.
“I met a boy,” I finally admitted as my composure started to return.
Annabelle straightened up with widened eyes. “That guy from Wednesday morning?” When I nodded giddily, she squealed and shouted, “He’s sex on a stick!”
“I wanna see,” Caroline whined as she snatched my phone away so she and Harper could ogle. Mouths gaping, they glanced from the picture over to my blushing face.
“Holy hell, girl!” Harper slapped my arm. “You’ve been holding out on us.”
“We just met on Monday. He’s the brother of a bride, the one who is using Annie’s horses for her wedding,” I explained in rapid fire, barely able to contain my excitement.
“Very nice,” Caroline declared, returning my phone. “Tell him we all say hi.”
As I typed out my reply, my entire body got hot.
Me: Hope you’re having a good night too. The girls say hi and think you’re quite dreamy.
I read the words out loud as my girls swooned along with me.
“This is so exciting!” Annie clapped. “You’ve had quite a dry spell lately.”
I shoved her shoulder. “Hey now, don’t be mean. Not all of us find Mr. Right stumbling into a bar completely sober.”
I loved teasing Annabelle about her meet cute with Waylon. He had literally swept her off her feet after she slipped on her way into Drum and Quill. I thought it was the cutest story in the world and reminded her of it constantly.
“We all do have a way of needing to be rescued from time to time.” Caroline smirked at Harper as she started blushing.
Harper threw her hands in the air. “Timing is everything in this world, isn’t it?”
“Throw some of that good-timing juju over my way,” Caroline complained, filling up her wine glass a little fuller than necessary.