“She’ll be here,” Jackie assured me as I paced nervously in the gardens.

I paused and tried to hide behind my confident façade, but without alcohol and drugs, it fell miserably flat. “I know she will.” I felt flustered and indignant at having been caught in a moment of weakness. “Who’d want to miss out on all of this?” I pasted a fake toothy smile on my face and gestured to encompass all of myself.

“Right.” Jackie nodded and started to walk away, then paused. “You know, you don’t have to always put on airs. It’s okay to be nervous. Going back out into the world is scary. As much as you hate it here, we’re safe.” She lowered herself onto the arm of a nearby bench and faced me. “This is perfectly natural, but you have to own these feelings. You have to allow yourself all these emotions. Embrace them and see what a difference it makes in your future.”

I stiffened. “I’m not scared. I’m going to go to my best friend’s wedding. I’m going to go home to my magnificent mansion.”

“From what I’ve heard, your mansion is also a terribly lonely place, which is why you spend so much time camping out over at Harry’s. Now, that option is off the table.” Jackie watched me for a reaction, but I simply mulled over the truth of her words. “You’ve spent years trying to medicate with substances, are you sure you don’t want to take that prescription for the anti-anxiety meds? After all, you’re leaving with Talia. She’s a stranger to you. You’re hoping to impress her.” Jackie tilted her head. “And you can’t use your usual methods to calm down. This can be a little intimidating. Anyone would be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” I insisted. “I don’t need your meds to relax, and I still have money to work its magic. I have yet to meet a chick who’s not a little impressed with a mansion, fancy cars, and a big, fat bank account.”

She shook her head and chuckled. “I think you’re about to be incredibly shocked and disappointed.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “We’ll see about that.”

“Well, hopefully you’ll see, because if we meet again, everything went horribly wrong.” She sighed.

My eyes narrowed. “Let’s say that happens, worst case scenario. Why the fuck would I come back here? There are so many more interesting options.” I shrugged.

“True.” Jackie nodded. “Oh, but this place is closest to your best friends, the two people in this world who clearly give a shit about you.”

My brows shot up in shock. “You swore. I’m appalled.”

“Right. Well, if that’s the case, then the rest of my advice is going to rock you to your very core.” Her eyes rolled. “Ready?” She leaned towards me and motioned for me to do the same. When I did, she murmured, “Don’t fuck this up. You’ll regret it.”

I laughed. “I have yet to regret anything.”

She looked at me slyly. “You sure about that, champ?” Then Jackie motioned for me to follow her. When I didn’t respond, she continued to speak. “It’s time. You can do this. I’m not going to lie and suggest this life overhaul is going to be easy. You’ve been down this road before, but this time is different. I’m beginning to believe you have a shot.”

I sighed. “I finally managed to get through to you, huh?”

“Not you.” She chuckled. “It’s Talia. She’s incredibly motivated and determined. She won’t take your shit. You’ve seriously met your match with this one.”

We entered the building. I remained silent, deep in thought. Jackie stopped suddenly and I ran into her. “Hey,” I grumbled.

“Your ride is here,” she murmured as she pointed to Talia standing by the counter, obviously waiting for me.

She was wearing a pale blue sundress with a pair of silver sandals. Talia smiled at me confidently. “Hello, Drew. You ready to go?”

I nodded and rolled my eyes. “I’ve been ready for the last eighty-nine days. Let me grab my bag. Then we can go get ready for the wedding.” I started toward my room.

She laughed. “I’m already ready.”

“No, you’re not.” I frowned.

Her brow rose angrily. “This is what I’m wearing.”

“Wow. Together for less than a minute, already fighting.” I glanced at Jackie. “Is this a new record?” I smirked.

Jackie chuckled. “Nah. I’ve seen you piss off people way faster than that.” Then she moved in between us. “I think what my inarticulate friend here is trying to say is…he wouldn’t want you to feel out of place at the wedding.”

Talia sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. “And what does your friend suggest?”

She shrugged. “Why, he plans to take you shopping, of course.”

I took a step to stand beside Jackie. “She’s right. I thought since I had to grab appropriate attire for myself, I’d get you something special.”

Talia shifted her weight to her other hip and I could tell she felt uncomfortable at the idea of me letting me buy her anything. “I don’t know…” Her voice trailed off and she sighed.

“Look, you help me, I help you. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to work?” I could feel my heart racing. For some reason, doing this for her suddenly felt immensely important. “What kind of woman doesn’t want a man to spend a few bucks on her?” I raked a hand through my hair and started toward the door with my duffle bag slung over my shoulder. Ty and Harry had my suitcases somewhere.

“I guess.” She sighed. “We’ll see.” Then, as I held the door open for her, I heard her mumbling to herself.

“I should’ve asked about the attire. No one told me. Ty really should’ve mentioned it.” Her frown deepened.

Once outside, I realized we had a driver from the hotel. He opened the back door for her and as soon as she had settled onto the back seat, I scooted in beside her. Without speaking, I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. Then I called Ty on speaker phone.

“Is this your ‘I’m free and on my way’ call?” He chuckled.

“You know it. Talia was kind enough to retrieve me.” I smiled hesitantly at her. “We had a question about the wedding attire. On a scale of formal to casual, what should we wear?” Then I gnawed on my cheek while I waited for his response.

“Let’s call it semi-formal. Guys in suits and tuxes. Women in cocktail dresses, nothing floor length. Does that help?” Ty sighed. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told Talia.”

“Damn right, you should’ve,” she grumbled as she crossed her legs and wrapped her arms around her body.

“Sorry, Talia!” Ty called out. Then he murmured. “Did she hear me? Did it work?”

I glanced at her and watched as one brow rose angrily. “You may have to try a little harder. Like…buy the woman a drink at the bar.”

“Hm. I don’t think so, but I’m going to have chef set her up with a special dessert.”

She shook her head and her jaw twitched. I chuckled. “Maybe flowers? None of your ideas seem to be working.” I shrugged at her and mouthed. ‘I’m sorry.’ Then I turned my attention back to the call. “Ty, I’m gonna go so I can tell the driver where to take us. See you soon.”

Our call ended and I leaned forward to give the driver our destination. “Bellagio, please.” Then I sat back and looked at Talia, taking her in. “Okay. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you.” I opened my mouth to speak again, but she silenced me with a look.

Her brows rose so far, I thought they’d meet her hairline. “You think I’m mad at you? Why would I be mad at you? You’re the one trying to keep me from making a complete and total fool of myself. Thank you. I don’t go to a lot of fancy weddings…as a guest. I thought I looked nice.”

I swallowed hard and paused to see if she was done speaking. When she simply shook her head, I decided to jump in. “You’re beautiful. Clothes are just…window dressing.” I chuckled. “You’d look equally attractive in a burlap sack.”

Talia studied me for a moment, and I had the sense she might not be used to compliments. “Thank you.” She reached her hand out and patted mine. “By the way, I’m not a killjoy. And I really hope you decide to have fun with me at this wedding.” She smiled widely and I felt my insides melt.

“I will. We will.” I tried to sound enthusiastic, but mostly, I tried to figure out how I was going to handle being around all those people without any alcohol. I could feel the anxiety kicking in. When I met Talia’s gaze again, I realized she was nervous too. “What’s bothering you?” I tilted my head, and then stiffened. Who was I? I never worried about other people’s feelings. Half an hour into being around this woman and I’d already changed. It made me feel uncomfortable.

“Well, I may need your help with the clothes. I have no idea where to shop or what to wear. And next, you’ll tell me I need shoes and jewelry.”

I laughed. “Not to mention a new purse.”

She slapped her forehead. “Purse. Of course. I’m the worst girl ever.”

“I can fix that.” I grinned.

“Right.” She looked up at me through thick dark lashes. “You help me and I help you, huh?”

My mouth went completely dry. “Right,” I choked out.