Chapter 1
Lacey
February
Today is a happy day. Two of my closest friends are getting married, and I have the privilege of being their bridesmaid.
So why does it feel like I’ve been sucker punched in the gut?
I don’t think it makes me that much of a terrible person to be wishing it was my turn on someone else’s special day, right?
My phone rings, yanking me out of my daydream. Flipping it over, I see Cole’s name flash on the screen and debate whether or not I should answer. We haven’t spoken properly in months, not since Gabby.
Fucking Gabby.
Thinking better of it, and because I’m a giant glutton for punishment and want to hear his voice, I answer.
“Hey, Cole. What’s up? The sky, ba-dum-cha.” I do my best to sound nonchalant, but it doesn’t quite work.
“Hey, Lace. I just wanted to check in and make sure you’re okay. We haven’t spoken properly in a while…” He trails off, sounding unsure of himself.
I steel myself and blink rapidly to force the tears back to where they came from. I put a broad smile on my face as I say, “Yeah, no, I’m great. I’ve been busy, but so have you.” I let out a shrill laugh and cringe at my own awkwardness. “Anyway, I’m ready and raring to go. So, yeah. Catch you later, Cole. Buddy.” Jesus fucking H Christ, what the hell is wrong with me?
I stab at the end of the call and throw it on my bed. Cole has had me messed up ever since he came to live with me in a temporary arrangement just over a year ago, after Pete attacked him. I thought I had done a fantastic job of burying my true feelings for my best friend during his stay with me, but no, I didn’t. The distance between us grew after he moved out and met Gabby. And now, we are further apart than ever before.
Truthfully, that hurts —a lot.
Right now, I can’t think about that. I need to get my bridesmaid’s dress and haul my butt to the lodge where Emmy’s wedding is being held.
**********
I have dreamed of my wedding day ever since I was a little girl. Cliché, I know, so sue me. I always wanted a beach wedding, with a long, flowing dress and flowers woven through my long, blonde hair. My groom, who is not Cole, would be waiting at the altar for me in a white shirt and light-coloured shorts, and we would have bare feet to feel the sand between our toes. There would be an arch behind us, framing the sunset. Ah, well, I guess a girl can dream.
I park my little Ford KA, which goes by the name of Norbert. He’s a beautiful, dark green car, save for the back bumper, whichis a bright yellow because mine fell off, and I could only afford a replacement from the scrap yard. Don’t judge me; I work at an aquarium. What more do you want? Climbing out, I grab my dress bag from the back seat and turn towards a gorgeous building, backdropped by the beautiful midday sun.
The Darlington Lodge isn’t a lodge at all, but an old English stately home from the 17thcentury. It has stunning, sprawling gardens with the most beautiful sprays of flowers and trees that I have ever seen. Emmy’s pictures are going to look gorgeous. The lodge will host Emmy’s wedding today and into the night. Close family and friends have their own rooms to stay in for the night, and then, in a few days, we will all head out to the airport.
Emmy, who came from a very small family and had parents who never wanted her, insisted that we all hijack their honeymoon in Vegas. While she and Cas jet off to California, the rest of us will stay in Sin City.
I smile at the thought of my two new best friends, Hayleigh and Emmy. Over the past few months, I would have been lost without them, especially since I didn’t have Cole.
Nope. Not going there.
I make my way inside the home, and instead of feeling like I’ve been transported back in time, the décor is light and airy. The sun pours through the stained glass windows above the stairs, casting an intricate pattern on the light marble flooring at my feet.
I imagine myself dressed in a princess dress, like Cinders, floating around the room. A smile touches my lips at the mental picture.
“You’re here!” Emmy squeals, and the sound echoes around the room, snapping me out of my daydream and scaring the life out of me.
I go to say hello, but when I raise my head to look at her, she isn’t standing straight; in fact, she’s tilted, that is, until I realise I’m the one who’s tilted. Right towards the floor.
Emmy and Hayleigh run over to me in a flurry of panic as I lie there on the floor, not quite knowing how I got there. I groan as a wave of nausea crashes through me. I really should have had breakfast this morning.
“Lacey, are you okay?” Hayleigh’s brow creases with concern as she puts the back of her hand against my forehead.
I swat her away and laugh, “I’m not sick. I didn’t eat this morning, so it’s my own fault.” They help me up, and I pull them both into a hug, “God, it’s so good to see you both.”
As we pull apart, Emmy’s eyes are shining, panicking. I look to Hayleigh, who rolls her eyes. “Oh, don’t worry, this has been happening since yesterday. She’s fine, just really happy, is all.”
