Comps

"Does your parents know that you're marrying this guy?" Chrissy asked, holding her glass in the air.

Raquel nodded with a sad look. "They aren't happy."

"They're never happy." Chrissy snorted. "I just wanted to know if they were going to pitch in or even show up."

Raquel sighed. "They think I'm making a mistake so no money. But! They said they'll be there and that's already an accomplishment of sorts." She drank some of her mimosa. "Money is a little tight, but it's Vegas so we should be able to come up with something affordable."

"First step is to have a budget." I spoke up after finishing my drink.

Raquel pulled a small notebook out of her purse. "Let me take some notes! I've never been to a wedding before so your input would be great." She beamed at me like she didn't just stab me where it hurts.

I put my empty glass back on the table. "Let's order something to eat first." I don't think I could do this conversation without some substance in my stomach. "I don't run on just alcohol."

She laughed. "Oh, right. Sure!" She made eye contact with the waiter and he came over in a hurry.

"More mimosas?" He asked, glancing between my empty glass and Chrissy's near-empty glass.

"Yes, but just the champagne." Chrissy told him. "Actually, just bring the whole bottle. Also, we're ready to order."

He pulled out a notepad. "Sure thing. I'm ready whenever you are." He quietly took down our orders and scurried off when he was done. He return promptly with the bottle of champagne that Chrissy requested, then hurried away.

"I don't know what you have against their orange juice." Raquel gave her a look. "At least let the rest of us enjoy a little extra flavor."

Chrissy poured herself some more to drink before passing me the bottle. "Val, what do you think? Juice or no juice?"

I frowned. "Does it matter? Alcohol is alcohol. You drink for the feeling it gives, not for the taste."

Raquel pouted. "It could be for both."

I filled up my glass to the top and started to sip. "One thing I do recommend for weddings is an open bar."

She picked up a pen and wrote it down. "Good idea! I would definitely want that!"

"But you have to work it with your budget." Chrissy pointed out. "If you and Alex don't have a lot of money, it's probably best to leave it out."

Raquel looked to me. "I don't have an exact number yet since Alex doesn't have a job, but I've got some money saved up. How much does an open bar cost?"

I chuckled. "An open bar can be set with limits. Just do something on the smaller side like $1000. Or another idea that I like: have an engagement party and asks that guests bring their favorite bottle of alcohol. Then you save those for the wedding date."

"Ooo!" She cooed. "I love that!" She wrote it down.

"That's not a bad idea." Chrissy nodded in agreement. "But...it doesn't really work for beer, does it?"

I shook my head. "Nope." I looked at Raquel. "When you're looking at venues, ask them what their deals are regarding alcohol. They might give you a giant discount if you provide the hard liquor."

She scribbled it down. "So...I should look at venues first?"

I nodded and took another sip. "Most definitely. Never pick a date before picking a venue, or you'll just be disappointed. Pick a general time frame of what date you'd like it to be, then go to venues to see what's available. Especially since this is so short notice."

She put the pen down and sighed, picking up her champagne glass. "How am I going to check out the venues from here?"

Chrissy grinned and leaned forward. "You know what this calls for??"

Raquel matched her grin with one of her own. A sense of excitement were coming off the both of them. "Girls trip??!"

"Woah. Woah. Woah. Wait a minute." I lifted a finger and started to wag it. "You want to do a bachelorette party this early??"

Raquel was taken aback. "No. Of course not! This trip would specifically be for reconnaissance. To find a venue."

Chrissy got up and grabbed the bottle of champagne. She came over to my side of the table and refilled my glass. "Don't wimp out now, Valerie. This is for Raquel. Don't you want her to be happy?"

I glanced at Raquel, who put on the hurt-puppy dog look. "Guys...I'm already stretched thin financially with all this upcoming travel. And my vacation days..."

"We'll go on a weekend!" Chrissy held my shoulder from her standing position, looking like a devil in disguise. "What are your Easter plans? That'll even be better because we'll have Easter Monday off."

"Well...my sister and her kids-" I tried to come up with an excuse.

"You see them all the time." Chrissy's grip got a little tighter. "Don't think I don't know about all those comps you get. You gamble there all the time!"

"Not since last year!" I defended myself.

"Christmas was only three months ago." Chrissy let me go, knowing she cornered me. "I'll leave the reservations up to you. Please and thanks."

Raquel clapped her hands in excitement. "Oh! This will be so much fun! It's like a pre-bachelorette party!"

I took a big gulp of my champagne thinking of all my comps that I had been saving. They're going to be used up this summer, I just know it.

"Should we be asking anyone else to come on this short trip?" Chrissy asked Raquel. "Like any other bridesmaids?"

She shook her head. "I just want it to be us three for this trip." She then looked back and forth between us. "Speaking of bridesmaids...I thought I would ask which of you would like to be my maid of honor?"

Ah. I put down my glass and looked at her directly. "Raquel, you know I love you right?"

She nodded, biting her bottom lip.

"I'm going to let Chrissy take on the responsibility, just because I'm already overwhelmed." I reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. "I don't want you to be offended, but I just can't give you my upmost attention. But, if you need me, you know I'll be there."

She sighed. "Okay, I get it." She squeezed my hand back. "No matter what, I appreciate you being here for me. I know it's sudden and probably completely crazy to marry someone I've only been dating for a couple of days, but I'm glad I have someone like you to support me."

I smiled back, but the voice inside my head was screaming: completely crazy!