Prologue
Wedding Chapel, Saturday 3:00 p.m.
“Goingto the chapel and we’re, gonna get ma-a-arried…”Hannah hums sweetly under her breath as we climb the stairs.
“I am so glad you guys are with me.I love you so much.”I’ve told Hannah and Emily the same thing multiple times today.I would be lost without my two best friends.
“Yeah, yeah.We love you, too.”Emily’s better with sarcasm than sentiment.Her dead ringer impression of a New Jersey mafia character from our favorite show makes me laugh.She’s awesome.
“Of course we’re here.You think we’re going to miss this?”Hannah’s gentle teasing is so...Hannah.She’s genuinely cheerful, even though we’ve been stuck in the church’s cool, damp basement for over an hour.The pastor insisted it was the only place the three of us could wait and add any finishing touches to our makeup and hair.Me?I’m desperate to get moving before anxiety puts the baby nerves to bed and breaks out the dragon clawed hysteria.
I shouldn’t be nervous.I’m about to walk down the aisle and marry the perfect man, the mayor’s son, Nicholas David Cunningham,thethird.
Gorgeous, cultured, beloved by the town.He is the area’s most eligible bachelor.I can’t believe this is really happening.Today is like a movie with a fairytale ending.
Small town girl is swept off her feet by handsome millionaire.
He’s everything a girl could want in her future husband.So why can’t I shake the cold, heavy clump of dread lodged behind my ribs?I drank hot tea.I have the two best friends in the world here to support me.This restlessness is just a case of cold feet, right?
I ignore the nausea building inside me and paste a smile on my lips.Clearly, I have a case of pre-wedding jitters.Everyone gets them.At least, that’s what all the bridal magazines I’ve devoured over the past eight months had to say.
But it’s finally here.
My wedding day.
I’m wearing a flawless satin and lace ivory dress that makes me feel like a fairytale princess about to marry a real-life prince.
Lifting the front of the heavy ballgown’s skirt, I climb the stairs like a snail.Moving in this getup is tricky.Add the high-heeled shoes, and I’m one turned ankle away from a full-blown disaster.
At the top of the stairs, we head toward the door to the Sunday School room and the connecting door that will spit us out at the back of the sanctuary, where my father is waiting to walk me down the aisle.
Romantic piano music grows louder in the hall.For the first time I hear the murmurs of all the guests.Marrying the mayor’s son means the entire town is here.Deep breaths.I can walk down the aisle and not make a fool of myself by wiping out.
My steps falter.I slow to a halt at the sound of a deep, male groan coming from behind an office door.“Fuuuuuuck.God.Fucking hurry.”
That sounds like...But?It sounds like he’s in pain.I should check, make sure everything is okay.
Heart in my throat, I turn toward the door.
“What are you doing, Madison?The front of the church is that way.”Emily points, her wisteria bride’s maid dress flutters around her legs as she stops to wait for me.
She’s right.Besides, it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the?—
I hear another low moan.He sounds like he’s in pain.
Is Nicholas hurt?
Dread churns in the pit of my stomach.Legs stiff, I twist the brass handle and shove the heavy wooden door open.
It takes my brain a minute to comprehend the scene on the office floor.When I do, horror fills me, ripping my insides to shreds.
I must have made a sound because two glazed, lust filled gazes, land on me.Nicholas blanches as I stumble back.
This can’t be happening.
“Madison, I can explain.”Nicholas pleads.He scrambles away from his lover but he’s not fast enough.
“What the fuck?”Emily curses on my left as Hannah sighs on my right.
