Page 21 of Blame it on the Kiss
Sophie laid the robe to the side and got up. Her arms wrapped tightly around Honor. “Thank you so much.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Soph.” Honor squeezed her friend back. “I’m happy and honored to be a part of this.”
“I do need to thank you.” Sophie pulled back. “If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here right now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Zane wouldn’t have noticed me if it wasn’t for your help and encouragement. From the minute you met me, you took me under your wing, and I’ll never forget how kind you were. You’re the first true friend I’ve ever had and I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Honor embraced her again. “And Zane so would have noticed you. He’s a smart guy.”
“Thank you for saying that.” Sophie smiled and moved to the dresser to pull a small wrapped box out of the top drawer. “This is for you. Just a little something extra to tell you how special you are to me.”
“Soph. You didn’t need to do that.”
“I know. Open it.”
Honor tore into the token of friendship that meant more to her than she could say. When she saw what lay inside the box, emotion clogged the back of her throat. A silver bracelet with an infinity charm. She and Payton had worn similar bracelets as a symbol of their forever friendship. Honor had tucked both away when Pay died.
Staring at the piece of jewelry now, she blinked several times. She’d lost Payton and been given Sophie a few months later. No one could ever replace Pay, but maybe the universewaslooking out for her.
“I love it. Thank you.” She took the bracelet out of the box and put it on.
“You’re welcome.” Sophie beamed and twirled to her suitcase. “Now let’s finish this up so I can mark it off Emma’s checklist. She’ll have my butt if we’re not done before she gets back.”
“She does like cracking the whip,” Honor said. “But that’s because she wants everything to be perfect for you.”
“I know. But all I need is Zane.”
Honor sighed. Everyone could feel the love Sophie and Zane had for each other. “Then let’s speed this up so we can have a celebratory drink.”
Sophie raised her eyebrows.
“I promise it will go down so smooth, you’ll want a second one.” Honor had been there for Sophie’s first alcoholic drink and well, spewing had been involved.
“You still might want to keep your distance,” Sophie joked.
It only took a few minutes to finish Sophie’s packing and line up all her wedding day accessories. They went downstairs and found Zane’s friend Aiden in the kitchen.
“Hi Aiden. Where is everyone?” Sophie asked.
“On the beach. They’ll be back in a few.” He moved his attention to Honor, his gaze keeping for longer than casual interest. The other night he’d tucked toilet paper where it didn’t need to be tucked, too.
“That means you two get the first shots.” Honor grabbed the stuff she’d brought earlier to make drinks for everyone.
Aiden moved to her side, his arm deliberately brushing hers. “Need some help?”
“How are you with a knife?”
He grinned. “I’m good with everything.” She just bet he was.
“Cut these lemons for me?” She put the produce bag in front of him. While he got busy cutting, she combined vodka and hazelnut liqueur and shook up the first batch of chocolate cake shots. She poured sugar into a bowl to dip the lemons in.
The three of them chatted and joked until Honor had three shot glasses lined up in a row. “Okay, so you drink this, then follow it up by sucking on the sugared lemon, and it tastes exactly like chocolate cake.”
“Seriously?” Sophie said.
“Yes. You ready?” Honor picked up her shot. “On three.” Sophie and Aiden lifted their cups in one hand and a slice of lemon in the other. “One, two, three.”
