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“Do you have everything you need?” I ask, switching to work mode so I don’t start thinking about what might have been again. “You know when you need to be where? Suit taken care of?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. It’s covered. Marc sorted me out, and I know when the guys need to get dressed. I practiced the dance, too. I got a…friend to do it with me.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Okay, that’s great. Thanks, Noah. The last thing I need is more surprises.”
I hurry away. Now that the rest of it is taken care of, I can go to Stacey’s suite and get ready.
Kelsey and Nina are already there, sipping mimosas. Stacey is on the phone with Laura and she looks like she’s about to have a meltdown.
When she hangs up, she shakes her head. “Mom’s running around biting everyone’s head off about not doing it all perfectly.”
“Don’t you dare worry about that. She’s the tough client and the hotel can deal with it.” I pick up a glass from a silver tray on the bar and push it into Stacey’s hand. She drinks the mimosa in one gulp and lets out a long breath.
“Okay,” she says.
The stylists come in, and we start getting ready.
We each have a makeup artist and a hairstylist working on us. A photographer dances around us, taking photos of the dresses, the robes, the progress.
Finally, we get into our dresses.
We’re wearing lilac infinity dresses. Mine twists into a halter top, and it shows off my bare back. With my hair curled up and sprayed into submission, the dress looks great.
I smile when I think about Brett and what he’ll say when he sees me.
When Stacey is dressed, we all stop and stare.
Her black hair has diamonds in it, her skin shimmers, and the lace dress she chose looks like a vision on her.
“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Nina says, and her voice cracks. I nod. Tears sting my eyes.
My best friend is getting married.
I rush to her and hug her, careful not to squash our perfect hairstyles. I’m aware of the camera clicking, getting this emotional moment on film.
“I’m so happy for you,” I whisper. “Marc is…such a wonderful guy.” I want to tell her the truth, but I can’t get it over my lips. I could barely sleep last night, worrying myself into stomach cramps about what I know about Marc. Stacey deserves to know. But she looks so happy, and I can’t do that to her.
The door bursts open and Laura whirls into the room.
“Keep that on you,” she says when Stacey touches up her lips. “You’re going to want to stay picture perfect all night.” She stops in front of Stacey and studies her from top to toe. I can see Stacey bracing herself for an insult.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” Laura says. “My little girl, getting married.” Her eyes fill with tears, and Stacey’s do, too.
“Oh, no, no,” she says. “We can’t cry, Mom.”
They both sniff, and I hand them tissues.
When everyone’s ready, we make our way down to the hotel lobby and outside to where a white limousine waits for us. The paparazzi lose their minds and trip over each other to get photos, but instead of rushing past them as we always do, Stacey and her mom stop and pose for photos. This is what it was all for, after all.
I watch with a smile before we finally get into the car to get the show on the road.
