Maid of Honour (The Wedding Series #1)

Nine

It's time for the rest of the hen do! Enjoy!

***

"Oh, my god! I love this song!" I threw my hands up, shouting to be heard over the music. Whooping, I waved my arms above my head. I'd said that sentence a lot that night.

We were in the second club, the club where they played cheesy pop songs, and I was currently living my best life. We'd had The Vengaboys. We'd had S Club 7. And now was the time for my all-time favourite 90s/00's pop band, Steps.

We had a lot of fun at the first destination. The bar had fancy decorations, making me feel immediately at home and someone took care of us, making us any cocktail we desired. We snacked on different appetisers, though upon reflection, it still probably wasn't enough to line our stomachs in preparation for the drinking.

After we were fed, the handsome bartender then had the task of teaching us how to make our own cocktails. As entertaining as it was; my cocktail shaking left a lot to be desired if the giggles were anything to go by. Eventually, the bartender took over because I was useless. I must admit, I preferred drinking the cocktails to making them.

What a shocking revelation.

As was obvious, the cocktails at the first bar went down far too easily and I didn't even stop to count how many I had consumed. So, by the end of the cocktail-making session, I was eager to move on and dance. When we stepped through the doors of the second club, I was well on my way to being drunk, thanks to the lack of food (or the excess of liquid food, rather). The rest of my group matched my four cocktails, so needless to say, they were also a little giddy. Though, alcohol didn't affect them as quickly as it affected me. Regardless, it was nice to see everyone let loose and even Jared had glassy eyes, an obvious indication he was tipsy.

After dancing to a song, knowing all the official dance moves, and executing them perfectly (well, as perfectly as my drunk mind assumed), I needed a breather. After downing whatever was left in my glass, I indicated to the others that I was getting some fresh air. Then I made my way to the back of the club.

Once I revelled in the crisp air, I leant against the brick wall.

"I can't believe you still know all the dance moves to that Steps song," Jared announced his presence. Because I expected to be alone, his voice made me jump a little. He chuckled and came to stand next to me, his manly cologne wafted over to me, and I wondered how he still smelled so nice after hours of drinking and dancing. I only nodded and chuckled in response to his comment. I raised my right shoulder in a shrug, in an act of nonchalance. When, in fact, I was quite proud of the routine I had performed. "I remember you and Layla spending hours trying to learn those routines."

"Shush, don't give away my secrets. People should think it comes to me naturally, like magic." I raised an unsteady arm and placed it to my lips, as if that would keep him quiet. As if anyone was actually listening in on our conversation, anyway. I then narrowed my eyes at him. "What are you doing out here, anyway? I'm sure Jennifer will want some company back in there."

I wasn't sure why I said that. Did I mean it as a joke? I thought so. I had spotted Jennifer dancing close to Jared throughout the evening. She threw her hair around, danced with her hips and smiled every time he was near. Jared seemed to enjoy the attention. It wouldn't surprise me if they ended up snogging in the middle of the dance floor at the end of the night. I guess I couldn't resist a little playful jabbing at his expense.

"I needed some fresh air," he shrugged in response.

There was silence after that. It left me with nothing but my own thoughts for a little while. I thought about the way my body felt loose and free whilst I danced. It was a way I hadn't felt in a while.