Page 61 of Dead to Me

China gently reached up and touched the veil.

"Thank you."

I stepped back. A moment later, the photographer came in.

For the next half hour, China posed by the windows, under the chandeliers, near the bed, and next to the huge bouquet of white roses Malcolm had sent earlier.

Every photo looked perfect. That was what made them so disturbing. There would be pictures of China laughing while Malcolm’s blood cooled one floor below.

There would be photos of me standing next to her while Warren’s body waited to be found. Later, people would study those pictures. They would zoom in, analyze our faces, and look for clues. People always expect evil to show itself. They want murderers to look odd in photos. They want the dead to look doomed. But reality isn't so obvious. Sometimes, everyone just smiles.

The photographer pointed at me.

"Maid of honor."

I looked up.

“Yes?”

“I need you dressed for some shots with the bride.”

China started clapping.

“Yes, go put your dress on.”

I looked over at the clock.

1:12 p.m.

There were still almost six hours until the ceremony. I thought I’d have time to change later.

“Please, I want pictures while my makeup is still perfect.”

Sierra laughed.

“Before we all get drunk.”

“You’re already drunk,” China said.

“I’m emotionally hydrated.”

Everybody laughed. I smiled.

“Fine, give me fifteen minutes.”

China blew me a kiss. I left the suite, went into my room, and locked the door behind me.

My maid-of-honor dress hung from the closet.

China picked a shiny ivory color. She said it looked expensive and romantic. I took the dress out of the garment bag.

The dress was made of satin, fitted at the waist, with a long skirt and a slit that went above my knee. The neckline was lower than anything I would've picked for myself.

I changed slowly, then stood in front of the mirror.

The dress fit perfectly. China had ordered it with measurements from years back.

It seemed prison hadn’t changed my body much. I turned a little. I wore pearl earrings. My hair was pinned up, with curls falling over one shoulder. I looked beautiful.