“Thank you.” I stand and give her a hug. She didn’t do my color, but she did trim my ends and wash my hair for me, which is what I really wanted since I’m scared to wash it myself after seeing a video of a person with infected stitches.
“Now, lets go have a drink.” She takes off her smock and tucks it away then grabs her purse. Once we are outside, Ellie hands Hope off to Jax then proceeds to make out with him—barf—before taking my hand and leading me down the street to the bar at the end of the block.
As soon as we get inside, I freeze. “What the hell?” I breathe, seeing my cousins and friends all gathered around two long tables in the back of the bar.
“Surprise!” July smiles, giving me a hug. “I know tomorrow is your party, but since we are all in town, we decided to get together tonight.”
“Do not fricking cry,” Michelle mutters, pulling me in for a hug. “I so wanted to call and warn you, but June said she’d kick my ass, and it would look really bad if a pregnant woman beat me up,” she whispers.
“Whatever.” June grins, giving me a hug before stepping away to allow April, December, and May to come forward and hug me too.
“I didn’t know you were in town,” I choke, fighting back tears as Nalia steps toward me.
“Did you really think I would miss this?” She grins, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she whispers, and then Willow and Harmony both tackle us at the same time, rocking us from side to side.
“We are so happy for you.”
“Thank you.” I smile at both of them, and then feel my jaw drop when I look past them.
“Hanna.” I stare at my cousin, who I haven’t seen in forever, in disbelief.
“The one and only.” She holds out her arms, and I run toward her, throwing my arms around her and then leaning back to look at her.
“I thought you were in Paris.”
“I was, but I couldn’t miss this. So I took a flight last night and got in this morning.”
“God.” I lean back and look around the space that is packed full of some of my favorite women, and tears start to burn the back of my throat.
“No fucking crying. It’s time to celebrate,” April says, handing me a shot, and I laugh then shoot it back, holding the glass up. Hearing the girls all shout and clap. Finding Cara in the crowd standing next to Kim, I quickly introduce her to everyone before doing exactly what April suggested.
Seeing Harmony suddenly disappear under the table, I frown, tilting my head under the ledge to look at her.
“What are you doing?” I ask, feeling a little dizzy from the five lemon drop shots I’ve had and my awkward, almost upside down position.
“Um… I lost an earring.”
“Oh, I’ll help you find it,” I mumble, scooting my chair back so I can get under the table along with her. Crawling on my hands and knees across the floor, I realize I have no idea exactly what I’m looking for. “What does it look like?” I question, lifting my head to look at her, and her face turns red.
“I didn’t really lose an earring,” she whispers, crawling toward me, and I fall to my bottom and raise a brow.
“Then why are you under the table?”
“Harlen’s here.”
“What?”
“Harlen’s here,” she repeats.
“I thought you two were friends?”
“We were…”
“So why are you hiding from him?”
“I kissed him.” She says after a long moment and I blink.
“Oh, my God! You are a damn liar,” Willow snaps, and I watch her fall to her ass under the table then crawl toward us, shaking her head and pointing at Harmony. “You told me when I asked why you haven’t been hanging out with him anymore that nothing happened between you two.”
“So, is the party under the table now?” April asks, suddenly appearing at my side, handing me another shot that I take immediately. “I kind of like it. It’s cozy,” she mutters, looking around, and I giggle.
“Oh my God,” Harmony groans, covering her face with her hands. “You all need to get out of here before you blow my cover.”
“What’s going on?” July asks a second later, appearing out of thin air.
“God help me,” Harmony growls, glaring at everyone.
“What’s her problem?” July asks, nodding toward Harmony.
“She kissed Harlen.” Willow shrugs as Harmony narrows her eyes on her. “What? I don’t understand what the big deal is. So what you kissed people kiss everyday.”
“It was bad.”
“How was it bad?” I ask, seeing the unease in her eyes.
“I.” She shakes her head frantically. “Jeez, this is so embarrassing. Can you guys just go and forget I ever said anything?”
“No,” Willow snaps, getting closer to her sister. “Spill.”
“I kissed him and he didn’t like it…. Okay?” She huffs.
“Oh,” I breathe in understanding. “Have you talked to him about it?” I ask softly.
“No.” She closes her eyes, whispering, “We were out when it happened and I didn’t wait around. He went to the bathroom, and I took off.”
“I’m going to kick his ass,” July growls already half drunk, and Harmony grabs on to her ankle as she tries to crawl out from under the table.