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Istood in front of the mirror in the bridal suite, checking out my maid of honor dress. It was a deep purple color, while the other bridesmaids were wearing lavender dresses in the same style. Floor-length and strapless, it clung to my chest and flowed loosely with a split in the side up to my hip. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t help wondering if Ben would like it.
It was funny how much his opinion had come to mean to me in the short time we’d known each other. I found myself thinking about him all the time, and it didn’t feel like simple infatuation. I genuinely cared about him. And I was starting to think that once we returned to real live that maybe, possibly, there could be something more between us.
“Tatum, can you help me get into my dress?” Faith asked, and I turned to look at her holding a tall garment bag.
Her hair was in big curlers and her makeup was flawless. There was a hairdresser and a makeup artist here getting everyone ready. They’d started with Faith, of course, and now Sage was in the chair, simultaneously getting her hair pinned back in an elegant updo while blush was being brushed onto her cheeks.
“Of course,” I replied, taking the dress from her. It was surprisingly heavy, and as I unzipped it, ivory fabric spilled out. I had been with Faith when she picked out the dress, but that was a floor model. This one had been tailored to fit her exactly, and I was excited to see how it looked on her.
I was taller than Faith, so it wasn’t too difficult to pull the dress over her head. Moving behind her, I started to tie up the corset-back. It went all the way from her tailbone to her shoulder blades, so it took a while, but when I was done and stepped back, I felt teary-eyed looking at Faith. She looked stunning and was practically glowing.
The top of the dress was embroidered with white beads and fit her snugly until the skirt flared out at her waist. That was the reason the dress felt so heavy. The skirt was made of layers of tulle and fabric and there was a long train that trailed behind her when she walked.
“You look like a princess,” I said, and she turned to the mirror with a huge smile on her face.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening. You know, I knew from the very beginning that Michael was the one.”
I nodded. I remembered. They’d started dating three years ago, and Faith had told me that first week that she had found the man she was going to marry. She felt it in her heart, and she was right. In a couple of hours she’d be fulfilling that dream.
“Does anyone want some champagne?”
I turned to see that one of the caterer’s waitresses had come into the bridal suite carrying a tray of champagne flutes.
“Actually, I’m feeling a little nervous,” Faith said, placing a hand on her belly. “So I’m not sure that alcohol is good for my stomach. Do you guys have any bottled water?”
“Yes, of course. We have some in the catering truck outside.”
“I’ll go get it,” I said. Sage’s hair and makeup wasn’t finished yet, so I had some time before it was my turn.
“Thanks,” Faith said, reaching out and grabbing my hand, giving it a squeeze.
I slipped out of the room, holding up my dress so that I wouldn’t walk on it since I hadn’t put on my heels yet. I was going to wear my flip-flops as long as possible for comfort. I was in the hallway, heading toward the door where Ben and I had kissed yesterday. Just the memory of that encounter sent a jolt of lust through me, but now wasn’t the time to focus on that. Today was about Faith and Michael.
I passed the door to the groom’s suite and walked out the door, spotting the catering truck nearby. There were waitstaff wearing black pants and white, button-up shirts that were carrying chafing dishes, plates, and silverware into the reception area. I found that the caterer himself was standing at the truck, overseeing the transfer of his food. I was able to get his attention long enough to get a bottle of water before he was back to barking orders at the waitstaff.
I went straight back toward the building where we were getting ready and spotted a woman that I’d never seen before wandering around outside, her eyes scanning her surroundings as if she was lost or looking for someone.
“Can I help you?” I asked, thinking that she might have been an early wedding guest since she was wearing a short pink dress.
“Hi, are you a part of the Seymour-Hendrix wedding?”
“Yeah, I’m Tatum.” I held out my hand and she shook it. “The maid of honor. Are you a friend of Faith or Michael?”
“Not really. But my husband is in the wedding party, and I was hoping to find him.”
I was surprised to hear that. I knew both groomsmen a little and I didn’t get the impression that either of them were married.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” I said, gesturing to the building I was about to enter. “We’re all getting ready in here. Come on in…”
I trailed off, realizing that she hadn’t introduced herself.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she laughed lightly. “I’m Amy Snyder.”
My blood turned to ice in my veins as her words registered.Snyder.Did she really just say that?
That was Ben’s last name.
“I-I’m sorry.” I shook my head to clear it. I had to be imagining things. “Who did you say you were married to?”
