Chapter 298: ~ 297
Chapter 297
~Octavia~
The sleek, modern showroom of the bridal boutique was an absolute dream.
We had the entire VIP suite to ourselves. Annie stood proudly on a stand in the corner, looking breathtakingly ethereal as the boutique’s head tailor pinned the final layers of her lace wedding gown.
"Okay, turn around slowly for me, Vic," Sarah commanded, leaning forward in her chair with a critical eye.
Victoria stepped out from behind the changing curtain, in her sage-green bridesmaid dress. The rich fabric hugged her curves beautifully, and the soft tone looked stunning against her skin. "Is the zipper sitting right? It feels a little tight around the lower back," Victoria murmured, craning her neck to catch her reflection in the mirror.
"It’s perfect, Vic. Don’t move an inch," Ava said, looking up from her tablet where she was furiously checking off items on our digital wedding master list. "Octavia, look at her. If Flynn sees her in this, he might actually faint right at the altar."
"Oh, absolutely," I laughed, adjusting the pink linen blanket draped over my lap. "Franklin will have to catch him. But seriously, Victoria, you look stunning. That shade of green was a masterpiece."
"Thanks to the bride’s immaculate taste, of course!" a voice chimed from the little glass table nearby.
We all looked over at my phone, which was propped up against a crystal vase. Annie’s sister was joined through FaceTime from across the country. Her face filled the screen, her dark eyes bright with excitement. "Let me see the back again, Victoria! Oh, wow, yes! Annie, you did so good picking these out. It’s elegant but still super classy."
I looked down to check on my baby, my heart instantly melting. Lael was sitting upright in her little plush travel seat, chewing happily on a soft silicone teething ring. Her big, dark eyes were tracking Victoria’s spinning dress, her chubby little legs kicking in pure entertainment.
"See? Even Lael approves," Annie giggled her eyes crinkling with that deep, radiant happiness that had been glowing around her ever since they got back from Paris. "She’s a little fashion critic already."
"She really is," Ava teased, leaning over to gently boop Lael’s nose, making the baby let out a high-pitched giggle. "Alright, the tailor is almost done with Annie, and we have a lunch reservation down the street in twenty minutes. We can talk details over food."
Half an hour later, we were at The Greenhouse Cafe, a chic restaurant famous for its wood-fired pizzas. We had pushed a high chair to the end of the table for Lael.
"Okay, now that we have carbs and mimosas," Sarah said, dropping her menu onto the table with a mischievous spark in her eye, "we need to talk about the most important part of this entire pre-wedding schedule."
"The bachelorette party," Annie’s sister’s voice buzzed loudly from the phone. "Or should I say, the bridal shower to end all bridal showers. Please tell me we are doing something absolutely wild. I am flying in next week, and I am ready to completely let my hair down."
I took a small sip of my iced tea, keeping one hand on Lael’s high chair just in case. "Well, I was actually looking into something beautifully intimate. A private weekend spa getaway at a resort. We can get custom facials, drink cucumber water, and just completely relax before the big day."
The entire table went dead silent.
Ava stared at me like I had just suggested we celebrate by doing calculus. Sarah slowly shook her head, taking a long sip of her mimosa. Even Victoria let out a soft, amused chuckle.
"Octavia, sweetie, I love you," Annie said gently, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand, a playful smirk touching her lips. "But a spa day? Cucumber water? For my bridal shower? Absolutely not. I love my peaceful moments, but this is my one last night to completely lose my mind before I become a married woman. I want a lit bridal shower. I want a club-based one. Loud music, flashing lights, a VIP booth, and bass so heavy I can feel it in my chest."
"A club?" I blinked, completely caught off guard. "Wait, really? You want to go to a club?"
"Oh, I am one hundred percent down for a club night," Ava cheered, throwing her hands in the air, nearly knocking over her fork. "I already have the perfect black mini dress in mind. We are going to dance until our feet fall off."
"Count me in," Sarah agreed, laughing. "We can get a private section, order the biggest bottle of champagne they have, and make Annie wear a ridiculous neon veil."
"Hold on, hold on," Victoria interrupted, a slow, incredibly wicked smile spreading across her face. She leaned her elbows on the wooden table, looking around the circle of girls, her eyes gleaming with absolute mischief. "If we are going to a club for Annie’s shower, we aren’t just going to any regular lounge. And we aren’t just going to sit in a booth and sip champagne like elegant ladies."
"What do you have in mind, Victoria?" Annie asked.
Victoria tilted her head, her smile widening into something truly dangerous. "I know the absolute perfect venue. The music is incredible, the energy is insane, and the aesthetic is completely wild. But here is the catch, ladies. If we do this, we are going all out. This night is going to be so legendary, so over-the-top, that it is going to make the boys completely go crazy back home just thinking about what we’re doing."
Annie gasped, clacking her hands together. "Oh, I like the sound of that. Tell me more."
Victoria slapped her hand down on the table, her voice dropping into a thrilling, dramatic whisper. "Operation: get your sexiest clothes ready, ladies. I’m talking backless dresses, thigh-high boots, red lipstick, and absolute main-character energy. We are going to turn every single head in that venue, take the most scandalous photos for the group chat, and leave our future husbands and husbands sweating through their shirts at home wondering what their women are up to."
"Yes! Oh my god, yes!" Sarah said. "Victoria, you are a literal genius! I am packing my highest heels tonight!"
"I am so in," Ava squealed, already typing frantically on her phone. "I’m looking up the dress code right now. We are going to look dangerous."
Sarah was laughing so hard she had to wipe her eyes. "Clinton, Flynn and Franklin are going to absolutely lose their minds. They’ll probably hire a private helicopter just to hover over the club to watch us."
Amidst the roaring laughter, the shouting, and the absolute chaos of the girls high-fiving each other over the table, I sat completely frozen in my seat, my iced tea held halfway to my mouth.
Oh no, I said entirely in my mind, a wave of comedic dread washing over me as I looked down at my innocent, babbling daughter, and then back up at the pack of wild women in front of me. It is about to go down.
I looked over at Victoria, who was now high-fiving Annie and planning the exact date for this wild club night. I shook my head, a helpless, amused smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Flynn really matches her, I thought to myself, completely amused. They are the exact same brand of beautiful, chaotic trouble. No wonder they work so well.
"Octavia!" Annie called out, snapping her fingers in front of my face to break me out of my thoughts. "Earth to the maid of honor! You’re looking a little pale over there. Don’t tell me you’re backing out on my club night!"
"Are you kidding?" I laughed, shaking off my shock and raising my glass high into the air to join the circle. "If we’re making the boys sweat, I am leading the charge. Let’s do it."