"Yes, it totally makes sense. Why rush?" I agreed with both of them.
"But I have been longing to do the Vancouver's Joffre Lake hike, it's five hours tops after a less than two-hour drive from my place and the view from the little cabin's up there is spectacular. We might do that at the least. Right babe?" Britney was looking at Max with hopeful eyes. He immediately bent over and hugged her from behind. "Yes, babe. Absolutely. Anything you say."
"Wow. I love hikes!" Came my spontaneous remark.
"Really?" Both Jake and Niki stated in unison and started laughing together. I knew they were referring to my last hiking experience in Norway, and how badly it ended.
"Jake? How many bodyguards would she need this time?" Niki joined forces with him to mock me. She didn't take long in changing sides. Traitor.
"Come on you both. Stop making fun of me. If it hadn't rained, I would have been fine." I nudged Niki with my elbow to stop her from making fun of me.
"Baby, you can do anything you want. Just don't you ever think of hiking alone." Jake took a seat right next to me and put his arm around my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze.
"Who said she has to be alone, you all could join us?" Max suddenly got very excited.
"Are you kidding us? On your honeymoon? My company organizes a lot of travel tours to this lake, so I know it's beautiful. But we still have no intentions to crash your honeymoon." Barry added as he finally joined the conversation too.
"Come on you guys. It sounds fun. And please do not label this as our honeymoon. We will plan an extravagant tour across Europe for that. This can be just friends doing a trip together." Britney insisted.
"I am in." Niki agreed almost immediately.
"Seriously babe?" Barry quizzed her with a raised brow.
"Yes. It's going to be fine man! Trust us." Max coaxed.
"Alright consider us in then." Barry responded.
"What about you guys? Jake?" Max and all others looked at us with their curious eyes.
Jake looked at my face, and I am sure he saw our eyes twinkling in excitement, because the moment I smiled at him, he said, "we are in too. Let's do this."
"Woah. Done deal. I will make the arrangements." Barry volunteered as he owned a tour and travel company.
"Yes, the day after our wedding." Max specified.
We were thrilled by our spontaneous plan. It started to get cold outside, so we headed to the entertainment room inside.
We had planned a horror movie, so all the respective couples were cozying up with each other, and watching the spooky move in pin-drop silence. After the movie and dessert, they all slowly took our leave. It was close to midnight by the time everybody left.
Jake and I went to our room as well. I could see it in his eyes, he was happy as he clearly had a great time. My heart melted looking how perfect he was with my friends today. I immediately rushed in his arms and gave him a deep passionate kiss.
"I have been wanting to do this ever since you joined us for dinner. You looked so hot." I whispered in between our kiss.
"You have no idea what I have been wanting to do babes. Just watch me now." He whispered back as he kissed me with more passion.
We both showed a great deal of our love and desire to each other before finally falling asleep in each other's arms.
Chapter 36
Niki's thing
Niki
"Oh, God. Nate, can you just hurry up with the menu? I thought you had it all sorted."
"Relax Niki, don't rush everything, we are on track for tonight's party." Nate gave me annoying stares before he slumped on the couch in exhaustion.
"Hi, babe. I have been calling you nonstop since morning. Where have you been?" A loud, shrieky voice fell on our ears. Jessica strode into the living room, straight into Nate's arms.
Another crazy in the house. Nate should send her his minute by minute memo. Control Freak!
I muttered to myself as soon as I saw her clinging to Nate and claim his mouth, unannounced.
"Did you say something, Niki?" She retorted in an interrogatory tone.
"Me? Nope. Nothing. Sup Jessica? All set for the party?" I asked her with the fakest smile plastered on my face.
"Yes, absolutely. I am wearing this exclusive Ralph Lauren gown from their latest autumn collection. After all, somebody has to take care of the glamour quotient." She boasted.
"Ya right. We are all so lucky to have you in our lives." My sarcasm coated words miffed her a little as almost instantly Nate's angry stares became my guest. Jessica walked close and started looking at the centerpieces that I was arranging.
"So, tell me, Niki. Have you invited that sadist friend of yours too? Nate's ex I mean? That poor girl with a broken heart?"
"Her name is Emma… and you better...."
"Oh, yes, Emma. Haven't heard any of her sob stories lately? How is she doing?"
"She is far from a broken heart Jessica. She is dating someone and is blissfully happy. You better stay clear from her; she is none of your business." I spat back at her. Nobody calls my best friend a sob story. Not under my watch.
"Really? Who is she dating?" Nate suddenly became interested as he questioned me instantly.
"He is invited too. You know what? I would love you both to meet him tonight." I suddenly had a grin on my face. I felt amused imagining Jake meeting the both of them.
"Who cares babe? Must be some loser. Have you ever seen Emma? I wonder what
