You, Me, and Forever (Blushing)

The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the birds were chirping almost harmonically. The surrounding mountains sat in the distance, looking more like a painting than the actual landscape in Blushing, the small Alaskan town I lived in. Normally, this would have been enough to put me in a good mood. I was that girl—the perpetually positive, glass-half-full-if-not-overflowing, write-in-your-gratitude-journal-every-day type of girl.

But life had thrown a few curveballs at me lately, and even this beautiful day couldn’t pull me out of my funk.

I stalked into the office, and both Violet and Blakely turned to look at me as they huddled around the front desk.

“I’m guessing the meeting didn’t go well?” Violet asked. My best friend and I owned the Blushing Bride, the only wedding planning business in Blushing.

Even though all I wanted to do was go pout in my office alone, I came to a stop and sighed.

“They want to get married in four months.” I shrugged.

“You’ve pulled off shorter timelines than that,” Blakely said, smiling. She was our office manager, and she kept everything running smoothly for Violet and me. She kept our schedules straight, booked meetings with prospective couples, and basically organized our professional lives.

“That’s not the issue,” Violet said as she tapped her lips with her pointer finger. “Let me guess, they want to get married at the Seaside Inn?”

“Yep. They have their heart set on it,” I groaned. “Apparently, Barbie has been dreaming of getting married there since she was eight years old. She had an absolute meltdown, even though she already knew that the Seaside Inn wasn’t an option because everyone in town knows it’s been purchased. But she made a point to tell me that this is the worst thing that’s ever happened in her life, and she couldn’t believe I wasn’t able to work some magic and pull off a miracle. She followed it up by calling me a ‘dream crusher.’”

“A ‘dream crusher’? Come on.” Violet shook her head with disgust. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. And what eight-year-old kid is planning her wedding? She didn’t even know if she’d live here as an adult back then. She needs to take a chill pill and calm her pretentious ass down. Maybe you should suggest she read a Ruth Bader Ginsburg book and channel her inner feminine power. There are bigger issues in life than choosing your wedding venue. Come on. The groom didn’t bail on her. Worse things have happened. And blaming you for something that’s out of your control is ludicrous. She’s got all the makings of a bridezilla, and we haven’t even signed her yet.”

“We did sign her. Apparently, the dream crusher is still the best option out there.” I sighed. “Being the only option makes our odds pretty high.”

Blakely and Violet both laughed, but I wasn’t in the mood to join in, so I turned to head to my office.

“Slow down, girl,” Blakely said before holding up a bag from the Brown Bear Diner. “We’ve got chicken salads. Come on, let’s eat.”

I was a sucker for their chicken salad.

I followed them into our office’s little kitchen area, where we often ate lunch. We’d renovated this cool old house downtown when Violet and I had decided to open the Blushing Bride together right out of college, over five years ago. I’d dragged my bestie back to the small town where I’d grown up and sold her on the business plan.

This office was everything my Pinterest heart desired, and we’d spent the last few years renovating it to be everything we wanted. Wallpaper covered in pink and white peonies flanked the walls in the front office, and a large crystal chandelier hung over Blakely’s desk, where she greeted customers.

Violet and I had our own offices down the hall, both decorated in our own chic styles, and we had a conference room to meet with clients as well. The kitchen area was a bonus; that was where the three of us ate lunch and talked shop most days.

We did our brainstorming below a large whiteboard that hung on the wall.

“Thanks for grabbing lunch,” I said.

“I know it’s been a lot lately, with all the ups and downs, but I’m fairly certain I’ve diagnosed what’s going on with you,” Violet said as she grabbed us each a bottle of sparkling water from our pink vintage refrigerator.

My friend was a woman of all trades. She was a problem-solver. A self-proclaimed healer. And, most of the time, a bit of a know-it-all.

But she owned it, and I trusted her with my life.

“I can’t wait to hear this.” I poured my dressing over my salad before closing the lid and shaking the container several times.

“I’ve never heard of it, but Vi claims it’s a real thing.” Blakely forked her chicken and took a bite before giving Violet a look to let her know the floor was hers.

“You’re suffering from a horrible case of vajabbies. But not to worry, there’s a cure.”

“What is vajabbies?” I groaned, already knowing that I didn’t want to hear the answer.

“Well, let me review what we have going on. We’re busier than ever, thank you, Harry Simon!” she said. Harry Simon, the biggest pop star of our generation, had married his longtime supermodel girlfriend, Bailey Clark, without any paparazzi finding out about it before the nuptials took place. Because who would have ever suspected that the Hollywood “it” couple would run off to Blushing, Alaska, to tie the knot? So, ever since word had gotten out over a year ago, business had been nonstop. “And then our most popular venue gets sold to some billionaire asshole who doesn’t care about our town or our business.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I grumped.

“I’m really not a fan of grumpy Montana.” Blakely reached for her water and took a sip. “I mean, you’re allowed to be grumpy now and then, but this has been a few weeks. That’s usually Vi’s job.”noveldrama

“Thank you, I wasn’t quite done bitching yet,” Violet said, pursing her lips. “This brings me to my vajabbies diagnosis. We got the horrible news about the Seaside Inn, and then that wanker ex of yours posted a photo with his new fiancée. Wham, bam, that’s a shit ton of stuff to deal with all at once.”

“Is this supposed to be helpful?”

“Monny, you’ve been broken up for six months, and you have not had sex with anyone since.”

“What are you, keeping track of my sex life?” I rolled my eyes.

“There’s nothing to keep track of. You’re clearly in a dry spell, and your vagina is pissed off and crabby. Which means you suffer from a toxic case of . . . vajabbies.”

Blakely used her hand to cover her smile.

“Our business is booming,” I said, “and everyone wants to get married at the Seaside Inn, where freaking Harry and Bailey tied the knot. And now that venue will be gone in one month. I’m trying to reschedule a lot of angry couples at the moment for their upcoming weddings that they thought would be happening there. So yes, I am pissed off and crabby, but it has nothing to do with my vagina.” I stabbed my lettuce like it was a personal offense to me and popped it in my mouth.

The nerve of her to go there with me right now.

“Monny.”

“Vi,” I said, arching a brow. “Do not make this a thing. It’s offensive.”

“Listen, we’re under a lot of stress, trying to find more venue options. I’ve been on the phone all day working on this. But at least if you were having sex, it wouldn’t feel like the world was ending. Seeing that Phillip got engaged was the icing on the cake. You’re hurt, but we’re here for you. You know that.”

“I’m not upset about Phillip.” I reached for my water.

I am a little upset about Phillip.

Not because I cared that he was getting married. It just stung a little that he’d moved on so easily. We’d dated back in high school and then broken up when we’d gone to different colleges. After I’d moved back to Blushing to open our business, he and I picked up where we’d left off. It wasn’t magical or that kind of relationship where you get hit with the butterflies—but it was comfortable.

Apparently, I like comfortable.

But Phillip had been traveling to California for work often, and out of nowhere he decided that he no longer wanted to live in Blushing anymore. In fact, he didn’t want to live in Alaska anymore.

I had a business here. One that had just started booming a few months before he’d made this life-changing decision.

I had a life here.

I wasn’t willing to leave. He wasn’t willing to stay.

It was all very amicable six months ago.

And then he moved to California and posted a photo with his new girlfriend, Angel, less than a month after he’d left—a woman who worked at his company, whom he’d mentioned a few times when he’d traveled there.

“I’m having dinner with a few of the guys from the office . . . and Angel.”

“I have a coffee meeting with my coworker, Angel.”

“Angel’s fine, but a little annoying. I miss you.”

Fast-forward to last week, when he’d posted engagement photos with Angel.

Six months to the day after we’d broken up.

Clearly she wasn’t as annoying as he’d claimed.

Did I want to marry Phillip?

No. Not anymore, at least. Our relationship had run its course.

But I was hurt that he’d found someone else so quickly and easily, while I’d basically poured myself into work. It also hurt that he was engaged to a woman he’d spent time with while we were together, which made me question if he’d cheated on me during our relationship.

It shouldn’t have mattered now, because we weren’t together.

But it made me question myself.

And now I’m a bitter wedding planner, which is never a good thing.

“I don’t think she misses him at all.” Blakely shrugged as she dropped a slice of lime into her sparkling water. “You always seemed bored with him.”

“Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile at her before shooting Violet a hard look. “It’s not about Phillip. I was okay when we broke up. We outgrew one another.”

“Well, thank God for that, because even his name is problematic. ‘Phillip Moon’? I mean, can you imagine having to write ‘Montana Moon’ for the rest of your life?” Violet had always made fun of the name when he and I were together.

“It sounds like the name of a movie.” Blakely shrugged.

“Oh, please,” my best friend said over her laughter. “It sounds like the name of a porn star. Can’t you just hear some big, oiled-up, hairy man slapping someone’s ass and shouting out, ‘Take it like a good girl, Montana Moon’?”

My head tipped back, and it felt good to laugh. “Well, now the porn star name is Angel Moon.”

We were all laughing, which was how it usually was when the three of us were together.

“Anyway, he was a loser, Monny. He never supported your dreams.” Violet held her hands up to stop me from interrupting. “I know, you don’t hate him. Hating people is a waste of time in your world. It’s all amicable. I get it. But he was a selfish dude, even if you hate saying anything bad about anyone. And the timing of his relationship is questionable. I never trusted him, and I think deep down you didn’t either. So now you’ve been buried in work ever since, thanks to our favorite celebrity wedding—but I’ve managed to go on plenty of dates. The tourists are out in full force now, with it being the summer solstice. And the quickest way to get your mojo back is to find yourself a hot tourist and have a one-night stand that reminds you how good sex can be.”

The summer solstice was a big deal in Blushing, because the sun stayed out for nearly twenty hours a day at the height of it. And since our town had become somewhat famous over the last twelve months, the tourism was out of control pretty much year round now.

Hence the reason some jackass rich dude had bought the inn. He recognized the potential. Hell, everyone with social media or a television would know things were booming here.

“I agree. And we’re all single at the moment. Let’s go out tonight and find Monny a smoking-hot loverrrr!” Blakely shouted, and we both gaped at her.

“Clearly, you don’t get out enough, either, because that was—a lot.” Violet chuckled.

“Listen, I’m just stressed about finding some new venues,” I said. “We do the majority of our weddings at the Seaside Inn, and that’s where my mind is right now. I’m not looking for a one-night stand. I’m looking for a new, cool location.”

“Says the girl who’s never had a one-night stand.” Violet smirked. “How many things have you tried because I told you how fabulous they were, and now you love them? This is no different.”

“Are you seriously comparing Tater Tots and Manolo Blahniks to sex with a stranger?” I laughed.

“Girl, those crispy taters and red-heeled goddesses have nothing on a hot, steamy fling. Or just a good make-out sesh with a hot guy to get your confidence back. Plus, we’re good for all events scheduled in the next four weeks, and several of the ones beyond that have already been moved. Who knows, maybe the new owners at Seaside will make this an even better venue that we can utilize?”

“The St. James Corporation doesn’t care about our weddings. They are a massive company out of New York City. They destroy their competitors and probably eat small children for breakfast. I hardly think providing us a wedding venue will be a priority.” I sighed.

“I think we’ll be fine,” Violet said. “We have other options, and those will work until we figure out a new game plan. Plus, maybe this will be an opportunity for us to invest in a venue that we could own. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about it being sold out from under us.”

Violet wasn’t normally an optimist, but I was the yin to her yang, and with me spiraling, she was trying her best to shine some light on the situation. But the reality was, we couldn’t afford to purchase a venue at the moment. Yes, we were doing well financially, at least in terms of anything a new company faces. We were saving money every month for the business, but purchasing a venue large enough to host a wedding would be a whole different ball game. You needed a lot of land for outdoor ceremonies, as well as a structure to offer accommodations for guests who had traveled here. We weren’t in a position to invest a million dollars into a boutique hotel on the water, not that we could even find anything for that price.

Like I said, Blushing was booming at the moment, and real estate was a hot commodity. I’d been lucky enough to purchase a small home of my own last year, which had been a goal of mine.

But purchasing land and a hotel was a whole different story.

“I like the idea of you buying the venue,” Blakely said. “You two are badass boss bitches.”

More laughter.

“That takes time and money. We need to have more options to offer clients, and time is not on our side,” I groaned.

“Okay, I hear you,” Violet replied. “But the first solution is to bring our little ray of sunshine back to life. You’re walking around like someone stole your Gucci bag. Tonight, the three of us go out. We find you a sexy tourist who you’ll never have to see again, and you let him do naughty things to you and relieve some stress. It will be the final needed closure with Phillip, the asshat. It’ll be the last step to moving on in every aspect of that relationship once you’ve finally hooked up with someone outside of Boring Moon Man. Then tomorrow you’ll come back a new woman, all sated and relaxed, and we’ll solve all of life’s problems together.”

Blakely said, “You could just go and flirt with a guy. You don’t have to take him home. I mean, I’ve watched too many Dateline episodes to do something that crazy. I wouldn’t go home with a rando—he could murder you or hold you captive. And obviously there are no locals that you’re interested in, so it would have to be a stranger.”

Violet sighed dramatically. “You are the world’s worst cock block.”

“We don’t have cocks,” I reminded her.

“But someone does, and you’re both blocking him. There hasn’t been a murder in Blushing ever, has there?” Violet was googling it on her phone now. “Nothing comes up. Tourists come here for an escape. Small towns are too gossipy. They’d never get away with it. Plus, I’ve dated plenty of tourists, and I’ve never had an issue.”

“Listen, I’m not going to be pressured into having sex. I will go out tonight. I will put on something sexy and flirt my ass off, if it means tomorrow, you promise that we’ll put our heads together and figure out this venue situation.”

“Do I get to pick your outfit?” Violet asked.

“Sure.”

“Can we use aliases?” she pressed.

“Fine. I know how much you love to pretend to be someone else with tourists.” I chuckled.

“Ohhhh, I’m so here for this,” Blakely said. “We can use fake names and come up with much more exciting careers than we currently have.”

“Hey. We like this career,” Violet said over her laughter.

“I know, but it’s all part of the secret identity. Let’s reinvent ourselves for just one night and have some fun.” Blakely grabbed our empty salad containers and tossed them in the trash.

“I’m in,” Violet said, and they both turned to me.

“Okay. I’m in.” I shook my head.

Why did I feel like I was going to regret this?