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Chapter 1
Mia
“IthinkIshouldhave gone with the warm beige shade,” I say, puckering my lips in the mirror to assess whether the mauve matte lipstick I chose is a little too bold.
Considering my wedding starts in less than an hour, it’s too late for any last-minute changes.
“You’re just nervous,” my maid of honor, Ava, says, waving off my concern with a single sweep of her hand.
True. I’ve been worrying over every single detail this morning.
Ava and my three bridesmaids are with me in the master bedroom of the Manhattan brownstone I share with my soon-to-be-husband, Michael. Since the church is only half a mile away, I told everyone in my wedding party to meet at my place. Another attempt to make this all feel like just another day, not the monumental day in my four-year relationship.
I place my hand over my stomach, take a big breath in, and then exhale. Wedding anxiety is common. I’ve read about countless women who have gotten cold feet shortly before the wedding. That’s all this is. I have no reason to worry. Once the ceremony starts and I see Michael standing at the front of the altar, all my nerves will dissipate.
Your dream is coming true, Mia. Enjoy it.
“I can’t believe you’re the first of us to get married,” Sarah says from her spot on the arm of my loveseat. She has one leg crossed over the other, exposing her enviable tan through the slit of her sheath, floor-length dress. I admire her reflection in the mirror and the rest of my bridesmaids. They’re all in the matching dusty rose gowns I picked out when I chose my dress. All sleeveless and ruched, a design I knew would be flattering on everyone despite their different body shapes.
A smile crosses my face, but I look away before I start to shed any tears. My mascara is supposedly waterproof, but I refuse to take any chances.
“And to Michael Albrecht, of all men,” Annabelle says with an envious sigh. “You’re so lucky.”
“Michael’s the lucky one,” Ava corrects. Then, despite standing beside me with both hands on my shoulders, she gazes at my reflection in the mirror like a proud mother. “Mia’s an absolute catch.”
I shoot her a grateful smile. Ava’s always had my back. She’s been incredibly defensive as the wedding has drawn closer, and today she isn’t taking any shit from anyone. She’s genuinely the best maid of honor, and best friend, a woman could ask for.
“You couldn’t have picked a more perfect dress,” she says. Unlike my bridesmaids, Ava’s gown is the same design but in sky blue. I thought it would make her brown eyes and lightly-tanned skin stand out more, and I was right. Blue is Ava’s color.
I give her a gentle nudge. “You look great, too,” I mouth.
My third and last bridesmaid, Kristen, raises a brow as she examines my dress in the mirror with a displeased expression. “It looks a little snug.”
I peer down at my lace mermaid gown. It has a sweetheart neckline and a corset top with a V cutout, but Kristen is explicitly referring to the cinched waistline.
Ava casts a defensive scowl in her direction. “Mia just gets bloated during this time of the month. It isn’t her fault her period fell so close to her wedding date.”
“Like I said during the fitting, form-fitting dresses never really flattered you,” Kristen presses. She lets out a big exhale, then glances at her manicure for any chipping. “Nobody wanted to listen to me, though.”
Ava holds her chin up high. “Because you were wrong.”
I furrow my brows. I wonder what’s gotten into Kristen. She and I have never been the closest within our friend group, but it’s unlike her to make snide remarks like this. It started when I picked out my wedding dress about six months ago. It was subtle then, but I noticed.
It must be because she wanted to be the first of our group to get married.Of course, I can’t help how things turned out for Michael and me. While we both have our issues, we are a good match, I think. Still, marriage wasn’t on my mind when he popped the question a year ago. Honestly, it’sneverbeen on my mind, even after we got engaged.
Ava turns my shoulders so I’m facing her. “Should I brew you some tea?”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. Really.” I turn back to the mirror, ironing out my dress with my fingers, and watch Kristen’s reflection rolling her eyes.
“Mia, the cars just pulled up,” Fred says, popping his head into the room through the half-open doorway.
“Perfect,” Ava responds and peers around the room. “Is everyone ready?”
Sarah and Annabelle nod and rise from the couch. Kristen remains silent as she gets up from the single armchair adjacent to the couch.
“Wait a minute,” I hear my father’s voice say from behind my brother. Within a matter of seconds, he steps into the room and crosses over to me. “We can’t leave for the church without me getting a look at my daughter in her wedding dress.”
“Dad,” I say, happy to see him for the first time this morning.
