"Okay, guys!" Grace clapped her hands together to get the attention of the giggling ladies in front of her.

"We have appointments booked at Abbott's Spa and Salon at three. That means you have half an hour to down your pre's before our taxis arrive." She informed the group.

Today was Amelia's bachelorette party and we were well on our way to getting tipsy. Some of us more than others, she observed amusedly as she watched the bride-to-be stumble on her four inch heels. She made a mental note to pack a pair of ballet flats for her friend as she was sure going to need it by the end of the night.

Amelia looked gorgeous in a short white dress - something Grace tried to advise her against given the heat of summer and the red wine she was sipping on. But her friend would not be deterred. She wanted to look as bridal as possible and was currently wearing a small veil with a plastic tiara. She had a light pink sash across her body that read: "Soon To Be Mrs Byrne." For some reason, she looked classy and fucking fantastic instead of cheap and tacky. Her eyes were sparkling with joy and she had her tell tale wine flush going on. Grace made another mental note to pack a bottle of water.

Ruth ambled over with a half drunk bottle of champagne in her hand. "Gracie!" she shouted. "Your glass is empty, we can't be having that."

Grace laughed and held out her glass while Ruth attempted to pour her some of the amber liquid.

"Soooo..." she started, Grace looked on in amusement as Ruth took a sip out of the bottle.

"Was it my imagination or were you and Harrison looking a little cosy the other night?"

Grace rolled her eyes and took a gulp out of the glass. "Not you too," she groaned.

She hadn't seen Harrison since the night he dropped her off and exploded bombshell after bombshell on her. To be fair, she was busy with wedding planning and they had put off their next reunion meet up until after the bachelor and bachelorette parties were over but she was also actively avoiding him. He had sent her a couple of texts asking her how she was. She wanted to ignore them but since she had promised to be friendly she sent back short and to the point answers.

The boys were having their bachelor party tonight and she knew at some point the two parties were going to meet up at O'Ryan's so she was definitely going to need some liquid courage to see him again tonight.

"What do you mean?" Ruth asked.

"He dropped me off that night and we had a chat." Ruth's eyebrows raised comically. "We had to clear the air about what went down years ago."

"You mean when he bullied you?" she bluntly asked.

"Yes," she nodded. "He apologised and we put it behind us. Amelia, of course, had to be looking out the window at the time he pulled up so she has been bugging me thinking something is going on. It's not." She firmly said when Ruth opened her mouth.

Ruth shrugged. "You never know." She murmured cryptically. Before she could ask her what she meant by that, Hannah, Amelia's younger sister shouted out, "Shots!"

Ruth squealed and quickly headed back to the kitchen where the other six girls were waiting.

After one shot each - Gracie was the party pooper that cut them off - they bundled into two taxis and headed off to the salon for their pre booked manicures and pedicures.

Abbott's Spa and Salon - formerly called Abbott's Hair and Nails - had received a big makeover. The front of the shop was bright white and the word "Abott's" was written in big black and lit up cursive script with the words "Salon and Spa" written in smaller, plain back script underneath. There were two potted trees outside on each side of the door. It looked fancy as fuck.

"Wow," she breathed, impressed. "This place looks great now."

Fiona, Amelia's cousin opened the door for them all. "Yeah, once Jessica took over she gave the whole place a much needed face lift. She even has clients in Levin who come here." she explained.

Levin was the next town over. They were friendly rivals so if Jessica was luring over customers from there, then the place must be super reputable.

She knew that Jessica owned Abbott's when she made the reservation. She had no choice, it wasn't like there were other competitors she could go to.

Sure she could probably make a booking in Levin but that seemed like a big overreaction. Plus, she liked to support local businesses. And who knows, Jessica may not even be here and if she is, she may have had a personality adjustment like Harrison and James. Stranger things have happened.

As they all bundled into the shop, Grace approached the young girl behind the reception desk. "Hi, welcome to Abbot's Salon and Spa." she said brightly. "I'm guessing by the look of you all, you're the party of Byrne?"

"Yes," she answered politely. The girls were loud and boisterous so she was attempting to sound sober and calm.

"Come with me, please!" she turned on her heel, ponytail swishing as she guided them to the salon floor. The shop was open, bright and tidy. Black chairs faced big mirrors that were lined with gold trim. Cream coloured couches lined the walls with hair blowers attached. There was another room extended out the back with the words "spa" written on the wall.

"Okay, ladies," the receptionist smiled. "If you just follow through to our spa we have you all set up with our lovely nail technicians. We also have a glass of bubbly waiting for you." The ladies cheered and quickly moved towards the spa. The promise of bubbly's probably more attractive to them than the actual spa experience.

"Sorry," she turned to the receptionist. "I'm not getting my nails done, I've just booked in for a trim?"

"Ah, yes, Grace," she said. She nodded and gestured to one of the high backed chairs. "Please take a seat, Dee will be with you shortly."

Ah shit, she thought. Dee was another one in the "in" crowd. It was getting a little too incestous in here for her liking. Well, too late to back out now. Might as well get it over with.

"Hi, Grace," A short, plump woman appeared behind her. She smiled softly and placed her hands on Grace's shoulders. "It's been a while."

"Dee?" she sputtered.

Wow. She wouldn't have recognised her if it wasn't for the familiar lilt of her voice. She had a high pitched tone that she had sometimes used to baby talk the football players.

The woman in front of her had a brunette pixie haircut with blonde highlights throughout. She was so used to picturing her with long ash blonde hair. She had a fuller body, plus size but not overweight. It suited her. She was still a very pretty girl and matured into her looks.

Dee waved her fingers at her in the mirror. "Hi. Shall we get started?"

Okay, so she wasn't going to get an apology. She was getting too spoiled by them now that she was expecting them at every turn. At her nod, she ran her hands through Grace's silky locks.

"I love your hair," she smiled at her. "I can tell you take good care of it. It's not dry and looks very healthy." she added. "You want a trim?"

"Yes," she stiffly replied. She suddenly had a horrible vision of Dee "accidentally" giving her a number one haircut.

"Um, I usually have my hair shoulder length but I've been so busy with work that I've neglected it, I'm afraid."

"No problem." Dee nodded. "Can I put some waves in your hair? I know you're at a bachelorette party and I think it would look fantastic if you're going out tonight."

"Yeah, you know what? Why not?"

Dee looked at her and gave her a genuine grin. "Great, let's get started. Can I get you a glass of bubbles while I work?"

Grace sipped her champagne while Dee worked and chatted about her day and the mutual people they knew. Grace knew that she would never get an apology from Dee and that this was her way of making amends.

She was okay with that, she didn't need one and frankly didn't care. Dee was mean to her, yes, but she was an insignificant person in her life, to be blunt. Dee offering her champagne without malice and extending an extra value service to her hairdo was Dee reaching out.

"What do you think?"

Grace looked at herself in wonder. She looked fantastic if she did say so herself. Her shoulder length hair looked shimmering and full of life. She shook her head and watched the beachy waves move silkily around her face. Her eyes looked bluer, her cheeks rosier.

"Dee, you're a miracle worker," she complimented.

She grinned and squeezed Grace's shoulders affectionately. "You're welcome. I'll be right back, you relax." She removed the cape from her shoulders, brushed her shoulders and walked off to clean up.

Grace was still admiring herself in the mirror when a svelte blonde figure appeared in the mirror behind her. Grace jumped as icy blue eyes met her own in the mirror.

"Jessica," she simply said.

Jessica gave her a tight smile that did not reach her eyes. "Why, Grace, as I live and breathe!" she cooed. "I heard you've graced our small town with your presence."

Okay, so she was still a bitch.

Grace swiveled around in her chair and met Jessica's gaze head on. She was still as beautiful today as she was in high school. Her figure was still tiny and she had on a short, tight red dress. "I'm back for Amelia's wedding."

Jessica gave a short bark of laughter, "Well I hardly doubt that you're here for the reunion," she purred.

"I wouldn't think you had any pleasant memories to reminisce.." Grace flinched and Jessica reached out and lightly touched her shoulder with red, long clawed nails.

"Only joking, love!" she said at Grace's red face. "You know how kids are. We were only messing with you. So sorry!" Her tone was syrupy sweet.

"What are you sorry for?" She asked. "Spreading rumors that I was sleeping with half the boys in our year? Cutting up my bra and clothes after gym? Or shoving me repeatedly into the bathroom sink?"

Jessica gave an uncomfortable smile, looking around to see if anyone was listening. "Well, that was years ago darling. Gosh! You can't still be holding a grudge?"

Grace shook her head. She wasn't playing this game. She stood up and started to brush off the excess hairs on her shoulders, face and emerald green dress. She caught Jessica's gaze in the mirror. She quickly schooled her features into an indifferent mask but Grace had caught the look of envy in her eyes as she raked Grace's dress and figure from head to toe.

"I hear Harrison's the best man." Jessica started.

"Hmm." she hummed, grabbing her bag and putting it over her shoulder. She was ready to get out of here.

"Have you spoken to him since you've been back?" she asked innocently.

"Yes." she answered. She wasn't going to pretend to make small talk with her.

Another flash of jealousy entered her face as she scrutinized Grace's expression. When she realised that Grace was not giving her any more than that she continued, "I see him all the time," she stressed.

"Oh?" she answered disinterestedly. She wondered if they were dating or still hooking up. She then cursed herself for caring. She didn't.

"Yeah, I own this salon but I don't actually work here." Then why are you here now? She wondered snidely.

"I'm the cheerleading coach at Langley High."

Of course she fucking is.

"So you can imagine how close we are, being that he also coaches the football team. He told you that, didn't he?" she slyly asked.

"He may have mentioned it the few times we've met up. But we had other more important things to discuss." Okay that was a little bitchy but she couldn't help wanting to bring her down a peg or two.

"Oh, so you chat often. You're close?" Jessica watched the other woman closely.

"We're the best man and maid of honor," she simply stated. "And if you'll excuse me I have to find my party. We have a dinner booked in thirty minutes." with that she walked off, leaving Jessica gaping after her.

Dinner was a rambunctious and hilarious affair. She had booked a set menu meal at Gina's Italian Kitchen and they all welcomed the chance to line their stomach's with fine italian dining.

Once they all had their full, it was a short walk down Main Street to O'Ryan's, the local popular watering hold. There were two establishments frequented by locals and tourists alike where one could have a meal and a drink in a social atmosphere.

Reign and Pour was more a lounge slash cocktail bar. It was popular with the professional crowd as a meeting point with clients or destresser after a long day in the office. It usually played mellow jazz music and had fancy top end liquor on it's shelves. Who would be buying them, she didn't know, but it was more of a statement piece than anything.

Then there was O'Ryans. It was an Irish bar with a beer garden at the back and it was where you would go for a good night out. They had a live band every Friday and Saturday night and a good mix of music playing in general. The drinks were cheap, the bartenders and waitresses friendly and the atmosphere was always fun or "good craic" as Liam would say - a nod to his Irish Roots.

It was also where you would go if you were after a casual hookup. Summer vacation was hunting season for Langley residents. I mean, no one wants to sleep with a local only to continuously bump into them at the local supermarket.

She watched on in amusement as Amelia walked through the doors of O'Ryan, her hands in the air yelling, "I'm getting married!" Cheers sounded from inside the bar, the locals quite enamoured with the popular teacher marrying her highschool sweetheart.

She followed through at the back of the group, her eyes roaming about the place as she entered. Her mouth kicked up as she surveyed the familiar furnishings. T-shirts of different counties in Ireland lined the wall alongside photos of random gaelic football teams. There were Guinness, Jameson and Tullamore Dew posters hanging around the wooden panel walls and two hurling sticks criss-crossed the wall above the bar. There were tables and chairs littered around as well as tall pub tables and bar stools. Towards the right of the bar was a stage and dance floor.

Even though she was never legal to drink in here and had certainly never been in O'Ryan's later than 8pm, they did serve lunch and dinner before they moved the tables to the side of the bar, making way for people to dance. Once dinner service ended, it was understood that kids had to make themselves scarce.

"Honey!" Amelia called out, walking fast towards the corner of the bar.

Oh great, the boys were already here. She couldn't handle seeing Harrison just yet. Without glancing too closely at the group, she procrastinated by quickly making her way to the bar. She was going to have a quick solo shot for courage before purchasing a tray of tequila shots for her group. Harrison can buy his own crew their own drinks.

As she motioned the bartender over and placed her order, she felt a tingle of awareness at the back of her neck. Shit, she was rumbled.

"I'll get this, Pat," Harrison's deep voice sounded beside her. His forearm brushed up against hers. Even though the place was packed, the bar counter ran a long length of the bar so there was space next to Harrison to not be standing this close to her.

She turned to face him, discreetly using the change of body movement to move an inch away from him. Harrison smiled down at her, the dimple popping in his cheek. Damn, he smelled good and looked even better.

"It's okay, I'm getting these," she replied tightly. It was so hard to be this close to him and not want to bat her lashes up and flirt. That's what she would do if someone of his caliber approached her at a bar.

"No, let me. You can get the next one if you like," he said. The look in his eyes told her that that wouldn't be happening. She just shrugged and murmured a thanks. She wasn't some feminist who protested a man buying her a free drink so if he wanted to buy their party drinks, that was on him.

A tray of shots was placed in front of them and she quickly picked up one of the small glasses, ready to throw it back.

"Slainte," he interrupted her before she could toss it back.

He placed the salt shaker and lemon wedge in front of her. She watched as Harrison licked his hand, shook salt onto it and licked it off. He tossed the shot back, never breaking eye contact with her. Her lips were parted as she watched.

At this saucy wink, she cleared her head. Two can play at this game. She slowly licked her hand, her blue eyes never wavering from his. She shook the salt out and slowly took another lick of her hand. On anyone else it would have looked like some cheesy move, but the way Harrison was watching her with hooded eyes, it looked like it would physically kill him to look away.

She tossed her drink back and willed herself not to scrunch her face up at the burn in her throat. Because that would defeat the purpose. Harrison held out the lemon wedge for her and instead of taking it off him, she leaned forward and sucked the citrus out, the edges of her mouth brushing his fingertips. His pupils dilated in unrestrained desire.

"Gracie," he groaned. He stepped closer to her and bent his head. She held her breath, not knowing what his next move would be. Was he going to kiss her?

His head bent beside hers, his lips brushing her ear. "That was the sexist thing I have ever seen." he growled.

The warmth of his breath brushed her and sent shivers up her spine.

What was she doing? She stepped back and went to grab the tray of drinks. "We should take these back before they start to revolt." she said smoothly, proud of the calm timbre in her voice.

"Let me," he said, deftly taking the tray off her. Good thing, because even though her voice sounded stable, her hands were shaking and the group would not be happy if half their liquid was on the tray.

Their group cheered as they set the tray down. Grace grinned goodnaturedly as she surveyed them. Liam, his brother Michael, James, two of his school buddies and Harrison made up his party. Only Harrison and Michael were going to be groomsmen alongside herself and Hannah as bridesmaids.

As the group mixed and mingled, more drinks were poured and served as they all laughed and joked good naturedly with the happy couple. Grace herself was having fun, even though she was very aware of Harrison's presence. She made sure to stay away from him.

She noticed the live band setting up which she was excited about. She loved a good cover band. She decided to take a quick trip to the ladies room before they started. The bathroom was upstairs and when she had done her business she came out and she stopped short when she noticed Harrison leaning on the wall, clearly waiting for her.

"If I were a betting man, I would put money down on you avoiding me." he said.

She laughed. "Don't be silly," she lied, "I haven't seen some of them in years, I was catching up."

He smirked, not believing her for a moment. He slowly stalked towards her. "You look fucking beautiful tonight, Grace." he said.

He had moved to stand close to her, staring into her wide blue eyes. "But then, you always looked beautiful." He reached out and cupped the side of her face. Her breath hitched, her pulse beating erratically. She was ashamed to say that her panties were starting to feel quite damp and her nipples hardened at his touch.

"I would give anything to kiss you right now," he confessed.