After I trudge off the beach, I make my way to the concierge to set up a quick meet and greet with Ana, the hotel's event coordinator. She assures me everything will run smoothly as they have weddings multiple times a week year-round. The Camden wedding doesn't have any insane requests and only has fifty guests to accommodate. Set up should be fairly easy and we quickly go through the photographer's shot list and seating chart. She even promises to have everything set up early so I have plenty of time to do my hair and make-up with the rest of the bridesmaids. They will lead the ceremony and then I will help run the reception. Overall, this wedding is pretty easy, it's watching the groom get married that's hard. I have to force myself to imagine them as some random couple who hired me when I go through the checklist with Ana because I want to cry a little every time I see Chase Camden written under "Groom."

Once the initial wedding stuff is in order, I make my way back up to my room to change for dinner. After seeing how cute all the girls have presented themselves already, I could put more oomph into my appearance tonight. These girls are hip, with festive clothing and flawless makeup. I should put some effort into classing it up a bit. That and Chase rarely sees me dolled up since I usually keep the makeup minimal and the boobies covered at events. He is very aware of my business casual attire and is probably going to be shocked to learn I actually own a pair of stilettos.

I slip into a blue silky maxi dress that hugs my boobs nicely and manage to do more to my face than swipe on concealer and mascara. I don't have eyelash extensions like the other girls so it takes a few coats of lash-extending mascara to make mine look full. 

A sweep of bronzer warms up my skin, sparkly shadow adds just enough shimmer to my lids, and a coat of raspberry gloss makes my lips pop with a fresh, playful shine.

When I step back from the mirror, I almost don't recognize myself. For once, I look like I could actually blend in with the polished, effortlessly glamorous crowd I'll be joining.

I gather my long hair, twisting it into a thick, tidy braid that falls over one shoulder, giving a final touch of elegance to my look. With a final glance in the mirror, a small flicker of confidence sparks in me.

Satisfied, I make my way down to the restaurant nestled to the left of the lobby, my dress swishing softly as I walk.

I have no idea what to expect when I meet up with the rest of the group as I left them a few hours ago. Maddie could have hooked her claws further into Logan and I could be the odd man out again. They may have stayed at the beach or they could have made it back to the pool bar and drank all afternoon. They could be dressy dinner guests or drunken, half-naked shit shows.

The host informs me that some of the Camden party is already seated and when I round the corner, I see Lauren, Alex, Jesse, Callum, and Logan looking sunburned and exhausted around the table. Lauren has a water bottle in her hand and so does Logan and Jesse. Callum and Alex have cocktails and I don't know how they keep going.

Lauren spots me behind the waitress and gives me a warm, friendly smile. I'm pleasantly surprised when Logan scoots the chair out next to him when he sees me.

"Have a seat," Logan offers and I don't miss his quick run down as I approach him. I don't get that often, so my confidence soars. I'm also happy to see he wants me to sit next to him and didn't leave the chair open for another bridesmaid. 

I can tell he's freshly showered because his hair is still wet. He's wearing another linen button down and the cream collar pops against his tanned skin.

"You got some sun today," I tell him as I slip into the seat. "How much trouble did you get into after I left?" I look around the table and Lauren looks exhausted even though she's dressed up to go to the dance club after this. Her red hair is also back in a braid and I think it's going to be the hairstyle of the week.

"We stayed down at the beach. I'm pretty sure Chase is already sunburnt so there is going to be some editing needed on their wedding photos," Lauren answers as Alex and Callum are still engrossed in their drunken conversation.

"Where did you run off to?" Logan asks and when our eyes meet, I swear I feel some unexpected electricity between us. His green eyes are bright and his tan is making them brighter. I can't help but roll my lips to keep from grinning at him like an idiot.

"Wedding planner business. I told you that was going to keep me busy and off the beach, remember?" I tell him and he gives me a smirk.

"But your work is done for the day? You're ready to play?" He asks and I had no desire to go to the club after this, but the way he's looking at me has me wondering if I shouldn't call it an early night.

"Eh, we'll see. There is always work that can be done," I reply and then reach over to dig into the chips and salsa. 

The one thing I was looking forward to when Chase told me we were going to Mexico was the food.

I hear loud giggling and Tory's distinct deep voice so I glance to the left and watch the rest of the party come filing in. Ainslee is back in white, dressed in a tiny mini-dress and it's obvious that Chase did get fried today.

"Heard of sunscreen? I ask as he sits across from me and he gives me a playful eye roll.

"You know I burn easily."

"You should see Tory's back. It's day one and she's a lobster," Maddie says before smacking Tory on the back and we all watch her wince.

"How come you left the beach?" Kaitlyn asks as she sits down next to me and I look at Ainslee, "I went and met with the coordinator. Finalized the layout and I gave her the shot list you asked for."

"Thank god," Ainslee gushes and she doesn't seem to be too drunk. "I'm so glad you're here to handle all of that. I'm not good at that stuff."

"Also your flowers are coming on Friday so I am going to meet with the florist and help put the centerpieces and bouquets together. I know you have paddle boarding and stuff planned, but I think I'll have to miss it." Logan squeezes my knee under the table knowing how convenient it is that I'll have to miss the water sports day. He's been around me one day and already knows my tells.

"Oh perfect, let me know if you need anything from me," Ainslee says with a cute grin before grabbing a handful of chips. I look over at Chase and watch him blink slowly. I think the guys have gone harder on the booze today than the girls. We seem to be much better at pacing ourselves.

I glance down the table and notice Maddie taking selfies with Kaitlyn and Tory chatting with Mike, who also got way too much sun today. Everyone seems dressed to go out after so I need some fuel to keep me going.

Alex orders tequila shots and that is the last thing I want right now. I ask for a vodka soda and I'm surprised when Logan sticks to water.

"You want to be sober at the club?" I lean in and ask him incredulously.

"I want to wake up and go snorkeling in the morning. Being hungover in the water with a mask on is fucking miserable," he answers. "I'd invite you to come but..."

I wave him off, "Thanks, but I don't need to see the monsters that lurk in the water." I take a large chunk of the queso dip as Logan asks, "You're going to the club after?"

"I'm so tired. I don't want to but I don't want to be the party pooper the first night. I'll Irish goodbye like an hour in and go snuggle up in that massive bed." Logan is giving me that look again that I can't decipher and I eye him before stuffing the cheesy chip into my mouth. "I'm fucking starving."

"What are you two whispering about?" Ainslee giddily asks as if she just witnessed something scandalous.

"Stella being fucking starving," Logan says as he slides the entire bowl of queso closer to me.

"Did you two have a nice flight?" Ainslee asks, her smirk and tone laced with something I can't quite decipher. There's a teasing undercurrent, but I'm not sure what it's aimed at.

Chase leans back casually in his chair, his expression unreadable, while I glance at Logan for a beat before answering. "Yeah, it was great. Thanks again for the ticket. It'll be tough going back to coach after this."

Ainslee's sharp blue eyes dart to Logan, a silent message passing between them that I'm not privy to. The way her lips twitch, as if she's holding back a laugh or a secret, only heightens my confusion. I shift in my seat, suddenly hyperaware that there's something I'm not getting.

"You should fly private. It's seriously the best," Callum blurts and then Maddie starts talking about some charter she flies to Vegas. There was something more to Ainslee's question but she's already talking to the group about how they flew first class to Hawaii last month.

"Where's the last place you went, Stella?" Tory asks after they all finish discussing the best flights they've ever been on and suddenly all eyes are on me.

"Germany, last Christmas. I did the Christmas markets."

"How romantic," Maddie gushes. "Ugh, I want to go do Christmas markets in Germany. The snow, the mulled wine, the shopping oh my god. Who did you go with?"

"Myself, actually. Not so romantic," I answer and then shovel more cheese into my mouth.

"You traveled to Europe alone?" Kaitlyn asks in shock. "I don't even like going to Starbucks alone."

"Is that even safe?" Maddie asks and then Ainslee quickly adds, "And lonely?"

"I go with a travel group,  so it's safe and I am not completely alone."

"She saves all of her time off to go on these long excursions. I think that's why she works so much overtime so I'm forced to leave her alone when she ditches us for weeks at a time," Chase interjects.

"Oh no, you still send me tasks. I might be in Belgium but I still have my phone and Wifi," I tease.

"You call her on vacation? I'd hate it if my boss did that," Kaitlyn says with a grimace.

"Well you know, in case she gets bored she has a project," Chase jokes and the girls are openly loathing that idea, but I secretly love it when Chase checks in on me while I am traveling.

"That is so cringy, Chase. Off the clock is off the clock," Maddie says. "Leave your poor employee alone."

"Which she likes to be when she travels," Ainslee interjects and there is a slight bite there even though she's grinning.

"It's kinda nice. I get to do what I want, when I want and how I want."

"I guess I get that," Ainslee agrees. "I wanted to do a fun photoshoot and hire a photographer when we go to that island on Friday night, but Chase said no. I mean, we are going to be on a yacht. That should be professionally photographed." Chase rolls his eyes and takes a swig of his drink. I can see he was hoping this argument was dead and buried.

"I got the hottest dress to wear on the yacht," Maddie says. "My boobs are gonna look bomb. It's a bummer a photographer won't be there to shoot these puppies." She jiggles them and then winks at Logan who shakes his head with a laugh.

"What are we doing tomorrow?" Jesse innocently asks and Ainslee quickly glares at him.

"Does no one read? I sent the itinerary last week and Stella sent confirmations out on Monday."

"Tomorrow is horseback riding on the beach at ten and they provide lunch for us, dinner is here. Friday is water sports and then the yacht for a sunset cruise and dinner. Saturday is a spa day for the ladies while the men golf until the rehearsal dinner that night. Sunday is the wedding and then Monday everyone heads back," I announce loudly enough for the group to hear.

"And we all are doing that together? When can we fuck off with Chase for a bit?" Alex asks and Ainslee looks like she wants to pinch him.

"We're doing the spa without you dirtbags," Maddie replies. "And you definitely don't have to come out with us tomorrow night. There are multiple clubs here." The waitress interrupts to take our order and the tone between Alex and Maddie is not lost on the group. I think I am not the only one who finds Alex irksome. He's the old high school friend Chase hangs with sporadically since he now lives in Boston. I know Chase is excited to have him here but I don't know how the others feel.

We manage to eat without any more biting tones and half of us seem excited to go to the nightclub while the other half are dragging ourselves to it just to be a part of the group.

The thumping bass grows louder as we walk down the stone pathway, and by the time we reach the club, the sound is deafening. Half of the venue is outdoors, and the music spills into the night air, electrifying the atmosphere. Maddie leads the charge, glittering in a silver dress that catches the light with every exaggerated movement. She dances wildly, her energy infectious, and I finally believe her claim of being the Energizer Bunny.

I can't match her enthusiasm. 

Alex stumbles along, still visibly drunk, while the rest of the girls eagerly chatter about getting drinks. We weave through the bouncers, and Kaitlyn pushes her way through the throng to carve a path to the bar.

Inside, the club is a sensory overload. Heat radiates from the crowd, mingling with the scent of sweat and expensive perfume. It's packed with women in sky-high heels and mini dresses posing around the room, while men, dressed in casual golf-like attire, lean against tables or loiter near the bar. Behind it, I spot a glowing party pool bathed in purple lights, its surface rippling with movement.

The dance floor and pool are both crammed with bodies, a chaotic mix of energy ranging from barely-legal teens to silver-haired partiers who seem just as eager to let loose. Sweat clings to my skin as I take it all in, and I can't help but wish I were in bed instead of drowning in this sea of chaos.

"One drink then we bounce?" Logan yells over the music as we stand in line behind the group.

"We can't leave together. Lauren has bets on who is hooking up," I yell back to him. He shrugs, "I wouldn't mind anyone thinking that." He sways so his shoulder hits mine and I shake my head.

"Not on night one." His eyes widen and his mischievous smirk is back.

"What about on night two?" I ask, matching his smirk with one of my own. I shrug nonchalantly. His jaw drops, followed by a deep, genuine laugh that's far more charming than I'd like to admit. Before I can process it, his arm drapes over my shoulders.

I fit under his arm easily since he's a full head taller than me and I'm surprised at how natural it feels to be this close to him. Warmth radiates from his body, and for a moment, I lean into it.

I might be joking now, but the thought lingers. If I have to spend all day tomorrow watching Ainslee and Chase paw at each other like lovesick teenagers, hooking up with Logan might not be the worst way to distract myself. I know what I told Lauren about it being a bad idea to sleep with one of Chase's friends, but Logan's gaze is locked on mine, intense and unapologetic.

"Am I hitting on you way too hard for it being so early on in the trip?" He asks before we make it to the bar to order. 

I scrunch my face up as I think about his question. He has been pretty forward since the plane ride, but I don't hate the attention. 

"No, I think I like it. Just don't proceed to hit on all these other hot bridesmaids if you want whatever this is to keep going," I warn with a squint. 

"Cool, I'll just continue hitting on the hottest bridesmaid then." 

"Oh, so Maddie? Have fun with that. I know she wanted to jump your bones." I joke, the club is so loud that I have to yell into his ear. He gives me a playful push in response. "I mean, I would get it. She's hot." 

"Have you met her personality?" He jokes back while darting his eyes to the stunner dancing in front of us. 

"Maybe you like crude, say-it-like-it-is blue-eyed blondes?" 

He shakes his head, "Nah, I prefer sophisticated, beach-hating, hazel-eyed brunettes." He's giving me the feels while we stare at each other. I feel it all the way to the tips of my toes. "I'd rather put all of my energy there," he adds and then turns to order. I feel the smirk he left me in my stomach and have no idea what I am getting myself into.