chapter 119
Alana’s point of view.
As we embarked on this adventure just a week before Izabel and Killian's enchanting winter wedding in Aspen, the air was filled with the anticipation of joy and love. The cozy, intimate gathering for the celebration allowed for the luxury of a destination wedding. Whether it was required or not, Alec or I would have happily contributed – that's what friends are for. But, happily, the couple managed everything just fine. As the devoted best friend and maid of honor, witnessing the pieces fall into place was a deeply rewarding experience.
While the wedding details were flawlessly set, my focus shifted to orchestrating Izabel's bachelorette party – a venture that proved more intricate than anticipated. Breaking away from the ordinary local spots, Izabel yearned for something tropical and adventurous. Thus, the destination of choice became Hawaii. Despite being part of the country, it held sentimental value for Izabel, who cherished memories of a teenage trip there with her mother. Now, it was the perfect locale for her dream bachelorette celebration.
"Gather around, ladies! Our girls' trip is officially underway!" Izabel exclaimed with contagious excitement as we all piled into the rental car.
"Work has kept us on our toes," I sighed, tweaking the AC to the maximum comfort level.
"The sun feels incredible on my skin," Ryan shared, enjoying the fresh air before joining us inside the car.
"Alana, don't melt, please. Alec might kill me if I bring back his wife as a pool of water," Izabel teased, playfully acknowledging my aversion to the heat. Despite the warmth, the refreshing breeze made the experience all the more enjoyable.
"Thank you for including me on this trip. I needed it more than I realized," Ryan expressed her gratitude, matching the genuine happiness that had been evident from the moment we invited her. Obviously, we had to ask her to come too, we have grown quite close over the course of time.
"Are you kidding me? You’re part of the gang now; we wouldn’t want to be here without you," Izabel turned in her seat, winking warmly at Ryan.
"That's sweet," Ryan hummed, leaning comfortably against the seat. As I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, a frown suddenly crept onto Ryan's face when she caught sight of something.
"Hey, you changed your ring?" Ryan asked, and I should've known she'd pick up on it. You really can't get away with much around Ryan and Sean.
"Shit, you noticed?" I sighed, catching Izabel's attention, who immediately shifted her gaze to my hand.
"Oh my god, you have! It looks stunning," Izabel gushed, then turned her narrowed eyes on me, "You didn’t tell us!"
She alone would scold me while driving.
"I didn’t tell you because, uh, Alec proposed to me again," I admitted, not wanting to keep any secrets. There was a reason why we held back the news, but the cat was out of the bag now.
"Oh my god! Really?" Izabel asked excitedly.
"Aren’t you already married?" Ryan frowned, clearly unaware of the full story.
"Our wedding was a bit rushed. We didn’t get our proper dream wedding," I half-lied.
"Oh, wow, so he changed the ring?" Ryan wondered.
"Yep, he waited till I took it off, got it cleaned, and added the smaller details that make it just perfect," I smiled. Alec was smart; now I realized how closely he had been paying attention to seize the moment. I rarely took off the ring!
"Why didn’t you tell us? We’ll be planning two weddings now after mine!" Izabel gasped.
"I was scared you’d think I was stealing your spotlight," I admitted unabashedly.
"Are you kidding me? I’m super happy for you two! We’ll have all three weddings in the magazine for sure," Izabel rolled her eyes, her excitement infectious. As we continued our journey, the conversation shifted to wedding plans, laughter filling the car as dreams of love and celebration echoed within its confines.
"Sorry, ladies, I can't participate. I need to—" Ryan began, but I cut her off before she could finish.
"Stay under the radar, we know. Don't worry; we won't blow your potential future undercover missions," I assured her, a mischievous smile forming on Ryan's lips.
"So, what's first on the list?" Ryan asked.
"Check into this house," I said as we pulled up to a charming paradise-like home. Lush green grass, neatly arranged plants, and flowers adorned the surroundings. The house had a lovely woody and stone theme, fitting seamlessly into the landscape—nothing too extravagant.
"We're staying here?!" Izabel's jaw dropped.
"Yup, figured it would be better than a hotel," I winked. "We won't be up in time for free breakfast, and we certainly won't be hitting the gym, so this is a better choice. We have a beach as our backyard, and all the great local food places are nearby," I added, watching their smiles grow.
"Best bachelorette party ever," Izabel hummed. "We'll have two more of these too!"
I chuckled and shook my head. It was great to see these ladies so happy, and now I wondered how I'd handle them once the booze came out. Trying not to dwell on it, I parked the car and led the way inside.
We explored the house—a small but beautiful kitchen, a decent-sized living room with a mini bar, and spacious, comfy bedrooms, each with its bathroom suite. The highlight was the patio: a seating area with the most comfortable chairs and a fire pit in the middle. Stepping outside, the first thing that greeted us was the beach breeze and the soothing sound of waves hitting the shore constantly.
"Alana, this place is amazing," Izabel exclaimed, throwing herself at me, hands wrapping around me in a tight hug.
"This is only the beginning," I winked, enjoying her excitement, and headed back inside.
"There better not be male strippers," Izabel warned playfully as she walked off.
"No, of course not," I laughed, shaking my head at her humorous remark. This woman and her words—this bachelorette party was gearing up to be an unforgettable adventure.
After we got settled in and took care of the groceries we needed, I gathered everyone in the living room, excitement bubbling in the air. I told them to get ready for the night, emphasizing the need for club-appropriate dresses. The promise of the perfect night out hung in the room, and I was determined to make it memorable.
"Where are we even going? I don't want some old musty guy rubbing off against me," Ryan grimaced, expressing her reservations.
"I don't want that either. That's why I found the perfect women's club here. I told them it's your bachelorette party—obviously no strippers—but they have fun drinks, music, and dancing!" I explained, moving around the room to ensure all the windows were securely closed.
"Wait, was it the one I showed you months ago?" Izabel wondered, curiosity lighting up her face.
"It sure is, and your favorite DJ is going to be there." I winked, adding a touch of mystery to the night.
"I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but drinking and dancing without men sounds like a great time to me," Ryan said happily, her infectious enthusiasm setting the tone for the evening.
As the night unfolded, we found ourselves immersed in the lively atmosphere of the women's club. Drinks flowed, laughter echoed, and we danced our hearts out. When we eventually made our way back home, the kitchen became our makeshift sanctuary. Attempting to bake cookies while still feeling the buzz from the night's adventures turned out to be a hilarious endeavor. The cookies, despite being a disaster, became a cherished memory, and we opted to order some late-night snacks to satisfy our cravings.
Although it had only been three days, each moment was filled with joy and camaraderie. Our mornings were lazy and serene, followed by sun-soaked afternoons, refreshing swims in the ocean, explorations of the local surroundings, and vibrant nights in the city.
Those three magical nights became the heart of Izabel's bachelorette experience, and as we embraced the sun setting on our tropical adventure, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing I had given Izabel a bachelorette party she would cherish forever.