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“It helped you, didn’t it?”

We all laugh.

And I’m reminded again how normal this entire morning has felt.

Going out to breakfast with my friends, getting pedicures, and getting our hair and makeup done. Now, we’re at the venue in the bride’s room, waiting for the ceremony to start.

Every time I’ve thought about this day, I’ve thought for sure the pain would knock me over. But I’m surprisingly fine.

Or maybe my heart has finally reached maximum heartbreak capacity on this particular subject.

Whatever it is, I’ll take it.

“T-minus thirty minutes, ladies.” Juliet returns from the bathroom, pushing her mom’s wheelchair into the room. “Time for the dress.”

“Wait!” I say. “You need to eat something before you put your dress on because you probably won’t eat for hours, and I don’t want you to feel faint on your big day.” I rush to the dresser and grab a bagel sandwich I picked up for her on the way here.

“Seriously?” Juliet smiles.

“Seriously.” I shove it into her hands, practically forcing it to her mouth.

“Emma’s right.” Kayleen looks up at her daughter. “You’re not going to have an appetite the rest of the day.”

“I don’t think I have an appetite right now.” Her words are muffled from chewing a big bite.

Camila sits on the corner of the bed. “Are you nervous?”

“Just anxious for everything to go how I planned.” She takes one more big bite then hands the sandwich back to me. “That’s all I can eat.”

She wheels her mom over to the mirror where her dress hangs: a simple white gown with a fitted bodice, flowing skirt, and just enough delicate lace to feel elegant.

We all help Juliet step into the gown while her mom reaches up from her wheelchair to smooth the fabric into place. Once it’s on, I step forward and help her with the million buttons along the back then move away so she’s the only one reflected in the mirror.

Her hair is pinned loosely at the back, a few curled pieces framing her face. She looks absolutely beautiful.

She turns over her shoulder to me with a smile. “Emma, will you put my veil on for me?”

“Of course.” I grab the veil from where it hangs and carefully push it into place, pinning it so it’ll hold for the day.

“You look so pretty,” Carly whispers reverently.

Juliet’s eyes catch mine in the mirror. “Do you think Vinny will like it?”

“I know he will.” There’s a tenderness in my smile I don’t have to force or fake.

Because Juliet’s my best friend.

The girl who taught me how to French braid, do a backflip on the trampoline, and wear a tampon. Who carried my couch with me up that narrow flight of stairs to my parents’ above-the-garage apartment. The girl who has gone through every major life event beside me.

She’s my person.

I thought I’d wake up with a fifty-pound weight of heartache sitting on my chest. That I’d have to force myself through every minute of this day.

But standing here with her doesn’t feel like the worst day of my life.

It feels like Juliet’s wedding day.

“I almost forgot.” She spins, rushing to her bag beside the bed. “I got you each something.” She holds up four tiny bags. “My best friends in the whole world.”