“Hey, man,” Ryot says as he sits up. “You guys heading over to rehearsal soon?”

JP smiles sheepishly. “Actually, I have a special guest coming, and I’m meeting up with him in a few to take some pictures.”

“A special friend?” Ryot asks.

Kelsey comes up and loops her arm through JP’s. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s talking about a pigeon.”

“What?” I ask with a snort. A pigeon? I never in a million years would have imagined JP taking pictures with a pigeon.

“He has some sick obsession with saving the pigeons.” Kelsey rolls her eyes. “Kazoo is practically his best friend.”

“First of all,” JP starts, “pigeons need love too. They are highly underrated creatures. Do I need to show you the PowerPoint again?”

“God, no. That might jeopardize our marriage,” Kelsey says.

“And second of all, Kazoo is a best friend, and if I had it my way, he’d deliver our rings on our wedding day, but you vetoed that idea.”

“Because the last time we saw him, he pooped on my head and then nearly clipped me in the eye with his wing.”

“He could sense the hostility and jealousy you had toward him.”

“Dear God,” Kelsey mutters and then turns toward me. “While these two go hang out with Kazoo, think you can grab a glass of wine with me? I have something I want to talk to you about.”

“Oh, sure,” I answer.

“Good, meet you for drinks over at the wine tasting?”

“Sure. Should I go shower and change first?”

Kelsey waves her hand at me. “No, not at all. I’ll grab a table outside and a flight of wine. Lord knows I’ll need it once JP is done talking with a pigeon.”

“You’re so lucky you’re marrying me,” JP says, while squeezing her tightly.

“Very.” She kisses his jaw and then takes off. The boys say bye, and when we’re all alone, I turn toward Ryot.

“What do you think that’s all about?” I ask.

“Nothing bad, I assume,” Ryot says.

“Oh, I don’t think it’s bad. I’m just curious is all. I haven’t spent any alone time with them.”

“Maybe that’s why she wants to hang before the wedding.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “She wants to get to know you better.”

“Maybe.” I scoot off the lounger. “I’m going to run up to the room and change. I don’t feel comfortable going in a bathing suit and cover-up.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, don’t leave because I am. Maybe sleep some more.”

“Not as comfortable as being with you.” He stands from the lounger and helps me pack things up. “I might take a shower and order some dinner. How do you feel about ordering room service tonight?”

“That sounds perfect.”

He takes my hand in his, and we walk back to the hotel room together.

I go straight to the bathroom, where I take the quickest shower of my life. I quickly lotion up and then throw on a touch of mascara and put my hair in a tight bun. I walk out into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body that barely covers me.