Page 103 of Hating the Boss

I smiled down at my best friend who had been there for me since middle school, through all the highs and lows of adolescence and beyond. I hoped my daughter would find a friend like her.

“That about does it,” said Brittany, pulling herself to stand and turning me to face the mirror. I gasped when I saw the re-worked dress. It was somehow even better than the first time I had tried it on at the wedding boutique. When I heard the smooth run of the zipper up my back, I breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s perfect,” I said in awe, running my hands over the silky fabric that hugged my baby bump and cascaded down to the floor in a milky pool.

“The boobs look good!” exclaimed Juliet with an excited clap.

“Brad is going to sob,” said my sister.

“He better…” said Brittany with a smirk.

She twirled me around to get one more look to see that everything was perfect. I giggled, finally feeling my nerves begin to melt away.

It was my wedding day. I was about to marry the man of my dreams. Our first step to starting our life together. I would never have thought that taking that job all those months ago would have led me here.

As I adjusted the backing to the diamond and pearl earrings that Brad’s mother had gifted me this morning, Brittany began packing up her sewing kit and it looked like something was on her mind.

“You okay?” I asked softly.

“Mhmm,” she said a little too perkily.

I raised a brow and gave her a look that told her I knew better than to believe her.

“I do have something to tell you, but it can wait until after the wedding,” she said.

Before I could pry further, there was a knock at the door. Juliet answered it and stepped aside, letting Brad’s father through.

“William!” I said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to come see my almost daughter-in-law on her big day,” he said with a smile that widened as he took in my dress. He put his hand to his heart and looked close to tears. He really was just a big teddy bear.

Over the past few months, I had spent a lot of time with Brad’s family, and had grown to love them like my own. Brad wasn’t lying when he said his parents were the real deal. They were completely in love. They reminded me a lot of my own parents in the way they talked to one another as if they were the only people in the world. Despite having vastly different upbringings, our families had the same values.

Aside from getting the nursery ready for our baby girl at his penthouse, a place I planned on calling home after today, Brad had also been spending his time at the office with his father. He was preparing for taking on his new role of CEO. Though it wouldn’t be until after the baby was born and he took adequate paternity time, there was still a lot to do in the meantime.

“My son is a lucky man,” said William, quickly swiping at a tear that fell down his cheek.

“I’m the lucky one,” I said, pulling him in for a hug.

“Thank you for coming along and reminding him what life is about,” William whispered.

“Now, now,” I said, pulling away and shaking away my own emotions. “Don’t make me cry.”

“Right, right.” William cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your makeup before you walk down the aisle.”

I laughed softly.

“I’ll see you out there,” he said before slipping out the door.

“We better get out there too,” said Juliet, grabbing the bouquets and beginning to pass the white roses to each bridesmaid.

As the three of them began to line up at the door, I grabbed Brittany’s wrist. She turned and looked at me curiously.

“What?” she asked.

“What was that thing you wanted to tell me?” I asked hurriedly, even though I could hear the string quartet begin to play. The soft music landed on my ears like a warm kiss. It had been worth the splurge to hire them after Brad insisted.

Brittany waved me off. “Let’s save it for our next girls’ night…which you better not bail on now that you’re a married woman.” She gave me a wink, but I could see her green eyes glistening with tears.