The night out on the yacht was by far the best group activity of the trip. No one got too drunk, there were limited sexual comments from Maddie and we all retired to bed at a decent time. My only complaint was that Chase kept talking about all the yachts he's been on over the years and it was the first time I've gotten sick of listening to his travel stories. I was like, we get it! You have the money for really expensive luxurious vacations!

Once we got back, Logan and I got to know each other a bit better physically in my room, and it's been a while since I could take things nice and slow in bed, explore and make a deeper connection. 

I was starting to panic a little bit about how fast my feelings were growing for him. It's been easy and effortless and so unexpected. I was diving in heart first and my head was wondering if I was being a stupid fucking idiot. I was comfortable as he slept next to me and I didn't feel like he was evading my space. I was wondering what it would be like to drive up to Boulder to see him on the weekends or invite him down to Denver for a night in the city. It was easy envisioning us having fun together and I was ready to get home and let us grow. 

He was up and out early for his tee time but I felt his lips on my forehead before he left my room and my heart melted into a puddle on the soft cotton sheets. 

Now that I am up and have nothing to rush off to, I'm able to lay in bed, scroll the gram, check my emails, and direct Eloise where to go when she arrives for the rehearsal this afternoon. I also remind her to check in with Chase's parents who arrive this afternoon. If she sees them before I arrive, she is to walk them through the space since Chase told me they are incredibly particular about everything and are sure to have comments about the setup. I wasn't given any direction with Ainslee's parents so I'm sure I'll just see them at the dinner. Oh yay. 

I love having a lazy morning, knowing tomorrow will be chaotic and exhausting. I haven't run a wedding since I left the event center Emma worked at four years ago, but I think I can slip right back into it like an old dress I forgot I had. Eloise also has a background in weddings, so I know the two of us will have it handled. 

I'm also so thrilled that I only have two days left with Ainslee's bridesmaids. And Ainslee. 

They are exhausting. 

I feel like I have been walking a fragile line there. I have tried to be pleasant, friendly, and social with them while keenly aware that they aren't my friends. I also am not trying to be inducted into their friend circle. I hope to leave here as friends with Lauren, but the rest of them will be in my rearview. 

I'm grateful we planned the spa day for today, as I think we all needed a calm activity away from the guys. Wrapping myself up in a waffle robe before getting my nails done, my face scrubbed, and my body buffed sounds euphoric. 

I toss my hair into a high messy bun and wear comfy shorts and the assigned bride tribe tank to make the walk down to the spa. I made the reservations, so I wanted to get there first to make sure we were all scheduled accordingly.

As I make my way across the resort, my phone buzzes repeatedly with Instagram notifications. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I glance down to see an outpouring of love on the photo I posted last night. It's of Logan and me on the sundeck at sunset with the golden hour lighting us up perfectly. We look so at ease, so connected, and my makeup was on point: flawlessly sultry. For once, I'm not sporting my usual tight smile or hesitant expression like I am in most of the group photos.

Mina's comment catches my eye: We need a wine night when you return, I think. I grin, already anticipating the look on her face when I spill all the juicy details about this week. She's going to be thrilled I've stepped out of my comfort zone, and Emma will be over the moon when I finally tell her I've truly moved on from Chase.

The spa is tucked at the far end of the resort, past frosted glass doors and a serene walkway lined with gently cascading waterfall walls. The tranquil vibe immediately makes my shoulders relax. At the check-in desk, the assistant confirms everything Lauren mentioned last night.

We'll start with group manicures, followed by massages and facials in smaller, paired-off rooms. Afterward, there's time set aside for the sauna and unwinding with a soothing cup of tea. The entire itinerary sounds absolutely heavenly, and for the first time all week, I feel like I might actually get to just breathe.

I wait in a low leather chair in the lobby for the rest of the bridal party to show up and it's only a few minutes later when I hear a swarm of female laughter smothering the sounds of the peaceful waterfall. I turn to find them waltzing in wearing their matching light pink tanks and I'm grateful I got the memo this time. Ainslee is in a cheerful mood dressed in a white silk tank top with "Bride" in rhinestones shimmering across her chest. 

"Good morning!" She coos when she sees me and she shockingly drops her arms around me for a quick hug. 

"I got us all checked in and told her the pairings. She said she would bring us back to do our nails first when we all were here." 

"It's so nice that we've just had to show up at places and everything is done and paid for," Tory says with her signature bark of a laugh. "Stella, I am going to have you book all of my vacations." I feign a smile but offer no commitment. 

"I've never gotten a facial before, I am so excited," Lauren chimes in while clapping her hands and it's the most excited I have heard her this whole trip. 

"Please honey, you've gotten a facial before," Maddie quickly retorts with a smirk and Kaitlyn covers her open mouth with her hand in an overly dramatic fashion. I'm surprised at the glare Lauren gives Maddie and her excitement is quickly replaced with annoyance. 

"Can we not today?" Lauren says irritably and I think she is as over all of Maddie's sexual innuendos as I am. 

"Oh, boo," Maddie pouts dramatically, waving Ainslee off with a flick of her hand. Before anyone else can chime in, the spa assistant returns and ushers us into the locker room. I'm handed one of the tan waffle robes I've been daydreaming about and the matching terry cloth slide slippers are just as cozy as they look.

Maddie and Ainslee have zero hesitation about stripping down right there in front of everyone, chatting casually as if we're all as comfortable as they are. I, however, take my sweet time in the privacy of the changing room, savoring the small moment of solitude. When I'm finally ready, I meet the group outside the locker room, where we wait to be guided to the pedicure baths.

The spa attendant directs Ainslee and Tory to the baths first, with Kaitlyn and Maddie following right behind them. Lauren and I are split up. She ends up next to Tory, and I'm placed in the bath beside Maddie. While we're all technically in the same room, the pedicure baths are spaced far enough apart that any cross-aisle conversations would require shouting- not exactly the vibe for this zen-like setting.

I glance around wistfully, wishing I could've brought my phone or even a book to occupy the time. But no, this is bonding time, a bridesmaid event where I'm supposed to be gushing over Ainslee and making her feel like the most important woman in the world. I sigh internally, sliding my feet into the warm water and mentally preparing for what feels like the longest pedicure of my life.

"Oh, Stella. Have a seat," Maddie purrs as I settle in beside her. We are given a glass of champagne and we toast Ainslee before sipping the bubbly. Once the technicians start on our feet, Maddie turns to me and I am worried about what's going to come out of her mouth. 

"Enjoying Mexico?" She coyly asks as the hot water runs over our feet. 

"I am. This whole week has been great. Are you?" I ask her, hoping she'll want to talk about herself instead of prying. I refuse to share details about what's happening with Logan and me with them. It's mine and I don't need anyone's opinions or sexual comments on it. 

"It's been wonderful. I am going to be so sad to leave here on Monday."

"Do you work on Tuesday?" I ask and she shakes her head, "No, not until Wednesday. I know myself and took off an extra day to recover. What about you?"

"Yes, unfortunately with Chase out and me missing most of last week I'll have to jump back into it on Tuesday."  

"Ainslee was saying that Chase depends on you for everything. Is he so annoying to work for?" 

I laugh, "No, not at all. He delegates a lot to me, but I enjoy it. Do you like your boss?" I casually ask, wanting to move off the subject of Chase. 

"No, my boss is a frigid greedy bitch. At least your boss is nice to look at." 

"Eh," I joke and Maddie grins knowing no woman here can lie about that. "How long have you been doing hair?" I quickly ask before she can say anything more about my hot boss. She flicks her gaze to Kaitlyn while she counts and Kaityln answers for her, "5 years now." 

"Neither of you wanted to do our hair for the wedding?" I ask and something crosses Maddie's face before she says, "I offered, but Ainslee didn't want us to have to work on the day of her wedding." I want to laugh, knowing I'm only a bridesmaid because I'm working the event. 

"Do you do weddings?" I ask and Maddie nods, "Yeah, and proms, events. I asked Ainslee to see if Chase would add me to Havicore's preferred vendor list but she said she didn't think it was appropriate." 

That surprises me. 

"Oh really? Does Ainslee also do up-dos? Is she hoping to get on our list?" I ask but Maddie rolls her eyes. She glances at Ainslee who is showing her technician how she wants her nails done and then quietly says, "Ainslee is going to work six more months and then transition into her role as a stay-at-home wife. She's not looking to grow her portfolio." I quickly blink away my shock but I shouldn't be surprised she's looking to have Chase be her financial support. He has his own money and comes from money, why would she have to continue working? I guess?

"Oh? Well, if you have an Instagram page or a portfolio I can review, I can see if we can get you added." 

She snaps her head over to Kaitlyn and says, "See." They both look at me and Maddie adds, "I wanted to ask you at the bridal shower if you'd consider adding me, but Ainslee said that was tactless. She wanted to go through Chase, but I was like, why would a CEO have to approve hair vendors? Stella probably does it."

"Well, actually this other gal reviews and keeps our vendors up to date, but I'm her boss, so..."  

"Ugh, I wish I had my phone. I would send you my business page on Instagram right now."

"Well, after this, just text me. I'll send it over to my assistant," I tell her and she gives me a genuine grin. I have no idea why I am agreeing to help Maddie when I just wanted to wash my hands of her an hour ago. I don't know if she's as loud and as forward with her clients as she is with everyone else, so I may have to have Kate do some follow-ups with her previous clients to make sure we won't get any complaints of crude behavior. 

She swats at me as she replies, "You're the best. Thank you! I promise I am really good!" She then looks over at Ainslee and from across the aisle says, "Told you Stella would check my portfolio over." Ainslee's wide blue eyes dart to me before saying, "I just didn't want to put her on the spot." 

"It's totally fine," I tell her with a wave of my hand. "One of my sister's friends is a caterer who ambushed me at a 4th of July party and I approved her for our list." 

"Oh," Ainslee says with a tilt of her head, "Chase just said he doesn't give preferential treatment when it comes to stuff like that, so I didn't want to ask." 

I scoff, "Chase went golfing a few weekends ago and then came back with a photographer's business card. Told me to check him out because he was fun in their foursome." Ainslee holds her tight smile and shrugs, "Oh, well. What do I know then?" 

"Not much according to that quiz we took at dinner," Maddie blurts with an, "Ay oh!" laugh and I watch Ainslee slightly shrink into her chair. It's the first vulnerable moment I ever witnessed with her, but I had the same thought after her low score. 

"Those were dumb questions, who would even know that stuff?" Ainslee quietly whines and Kaitlyn chimes in, "Stella pretty much had a perfect score." 

I don't want to linger on that quiz or my friendship with Chase. This girls just love to poke sore spots.

"They were dumb questions," I agree and then add, "So, how sick was the boat last night?" 

Tory immediately pipes up and I'm sure the pivot was obvious, but all the girls would rather gush about their epic yacht experience in Mexico than linger on the fact that Ainslee doesn't know basic facts about her fiancé. I'm still not overly thrilled about this wedding, but my shimmery rose-gold nails remind me it's happening in twenty-four hours and it's not my job to stop it. 

When I move to the UV lights to dry my nails, I'm surprised when Ainslee drops down and leans into me. 

"Hey, so, I obviously don't want to hurt Maddie's feelings but I didn't want to ask you or Chase because she can be flakey. She bails on clients and doesn't always listen to what they want, she just does what she wants. That's why I didn't want her to do our hair for tomorrow. Just a heads up." 

"Oh? Thanks for the info," I whisper back, and that seems very reasonable as to why she skirted the issue with Maddie. Too bad I don't trust anything she says anymore. 

"That and I don't need all of my salon friends trying to use me, ya know?" Ainslee adds with a they-can-go-fuck-themselves look and quickly slides out of the chair before being noticed.