An odd tightness flared in Amanda’s chest just thinking about returning to work on Monday. She didn’t belong at this wedding. The only reason she wasn’t booking it back to the freeway was her love for Helene. She couldn’t bail on a friend, not on her wedding day.
That didn’t stop the feeling of dread that was looming over her. She allowed herself one night here and there to step outside of Dru’s cycle of misery, but a long weekend in this magical place with its five-star accommodations would be just enough to recharge her for another few months. She had to be careful though that she didn’t relax too much and be forced to beg for work at the ranch. That just wouldn’t do.
Amanda sighed and shook her head, smiling to herself a bit, then went to grab her dress for the rehearsal dinner. While she wasn’t in the wedding party, Helene had still invited her to come and hang out. Hopefully, Sam had just popped by the front desk to say hello and she wouldn’t see him again for the rest of the weekend. Amanda knew it was a long shot, but if anything she was optimistic. She laid out her dress, and just as she was considering the travel steamer her phone chimed with a text. For once, it wasn’t Dru. Amanda’s mood immediately shifted as she read Helene’s text.
Come get ready with me in our cabin!
We’re over in Bluebird.
Okay! I’m on my way.
I want to discuss how hot the
Pleasant brothers are before
I become a married woman.
Definitely on my way. LOL
Amanda responded, even though she was far from LOLing.
She gathered her things and headed to the lobby. Back at the front desk, Laura handed Amanda a beautifully illustrated map of the property, then offered to have a nice young man named Will give her a lift over to the cabin where Helene was staying. Amanda almost turned the offer for a ride down. She could take a nice long walk around the property and scope things out for her herself, but when she took a closer look at the map she didn’t think lugging her things what appeared to be a smooth half mile to the private cabins was the best idea. She happily hopped into one of the ranch golf carts and let Will zip her across the property. She tipped him with the cash brought expressly for that purpose, then hurried up the three short steps of Bluebird cabin. Helene opened the door before Amanda could knock.
“Hey! Come in.”
Amanda stepped inside and embraced her friend and then her friend’s sister, Robyn.
“You’re sure it’s okay I came by? I don’t want to get in the way of your bridely activities,” Amanda said as she set down her stuff on the arm of the sectional near the front door.
“It’s more than okay. I barely got to talk to you on Sunday and I’ll barely get to talk to you this weekend. Let’s squeeze in some QT while we can. Besides, I got this huge place just for me and Robbie. Plenty of room for us to spread out.”
“No kidding.” She glanced around realizing Bluebird was more of a three-bedroom house than a cabin. “Um, speaking of Sunday night, there’s something I think I should let you in on. But I need an extreme vow of silence.”
“Of course,” Helene said gravely. Robyn nodded in kind.
“I’m a steel trap,” she said.
“She really is. What’s going on?” Helene asked.
“First, let me say thank you so much for inviting me out. I know I bail a lot because of my schedule, but it means a lot to me that you still try to include me in your life. Especially moments like this. You are a great friend.”
“Damn, girl. Stop! I need to save my tears for my vows,” Helene said, lightly swatting at her arm.
“Okay, okay. So I wasn’t going to tell you this because you know me. I don’t like my business all out there.”
“Ignacio had to stop me from forcing guests to sign an NDA.”
“She’s not joking,” Robyn said.
“This is why we’re friends,” Amanda laughed before she cleared her throat. The truth she was about to share sent a sobering chill over her skin. “Also it’s your weekend and I didn’t think it was a good time to bring up my own petty drama, but recent developments have forced my hand.”
“Okay, now you really have to tell me.”
“Sunday night when I left Kata and Rina’s party?”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t go home. I went to Sam Pleasant’s hotel room and we had adult relations. Like all night long.”
“Amanda!” Helene gasped, enunciating every syllable. “I am shocked.”
“I’m impressed. Never thought he’d be into thick girls,” Robyn shrugged. She and Amanda were around the same size. Big girls had been pulling fine men since the dawn of time, but everyone knew how Hollywood social culture worked.
“Same, but that’s not the issue,” Amanda went on. “I—um, I never told him my name.”
Another gasp from Helene.
“And I kinda bolted the next morning before he woke up. And I also kinda stole his Oscar statue. By accident! I returned it. He got the rest of my emergency condoms and some Fenty lip gloss I now need to replace.”
“Okay, I need to sit down.” Amanda and Robyn followed Helene over to the sectional in front of a massive fireplace.
“So you had a for-real covert fling with Sam Pleasant. When I say I’m proud . . .”
“Stop,” Amanda laughed.
“No, seriously. You were so stressed about coming along in the first place, but, honey. Talk about living it up. Mama is so proud.”
“Yeah, okay. It was actually one of my finer moments. However, I didn’t realize this was his family’s ranch until yesterday.”
“Oh, so you tried to hit and quit and then you just ran into him in the lobby.”
“Yup.”
“Okay, so what’s the play here?” Helene said, clasping her
