Thirty-Six
Samantha
“I toldthe girl at the MAC counter that everything had to be waterproof knowing you. You’re worse than your daughter. Sit still and close your eyes.”
I shut my eyes and did my best to sit as still as possible. Daina used to be a cosmetologist, so when she offered to do my makeup for the wedding, I agreed. Had I paid someone, I probably wouldn’t be scolded like a child, but I knew better than to tell Daina no. When she was tense, she was a control freak with no filter, but her heart was always in the right place. If I got yelled at on my wedding day, so be it.
As it turned out, Lucas’s friend didn’t own a “loft.” He owned a penthouse. I was getting married in a frigging West Villagepenthouse. The “small space” looked like a ballroom surrounded on all sides by windows. Rows of chairs were set up with a white runner down the middle, which apparently was the aisle I was going to walk down. I couldn’t wait to ask my fiancé what his definition of “small party” was.
Daina, Bella, and I were in a dressing room getting ready. Even that looked upscale with fluffy red carpet, plush red couches, and a white vanity table. My hair flowed down my back in large curls, the sides pinned back with rhinestone barrettes. My dress was ivory satin and strapless per my future husband’s request, with a silver sash around my waist. And my favorite part—it was tea length. No big puffy dress with a train that wouldn’t bustle so I could barely walk or dance like I had at my first wedding. I didn’t know much about the type of wedding this was going to be, especially since this place looked nothing like I expected, but I had no doubt it would beat that day by a mile.
“Okay, you’re done. Go put Bella’s dress on and then we’ll get yours on. Go!”
“Yes, boss.” I saluted her with a smirk. “Are we keeping to the itinerary, since I know nothing?”
Daina huffed and walked away. I chuckled at how she was so tense, and I was so calm. It was almost fun not knowing what was in store.
Bella’s dress had been made for her—white satin with a bow in the back, very simple other than the blue butterflies at the hem. I had to hide the dress all week because she kept trying it on.
“Look, Mommy! If I twirl, the butterflies look like they’re flying!” The faster she spun around, the more I was afraid she was going to fall or make herself sick.
“I know, they look pretty, but let’s not get dizzy. Why don’t you sit on the couch for a second?”
I put my dress over my head and looked in the mirror. Then, it hit me. I was getting married today—to Lucas. Years ago, this seemed as likely as hitting the lottery while being struck by lightning. I still wasn’t nervous; I was just anxious to get the show on the road. If I was honest with myself, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach the day I married Marc—like I was settling because I couldn’t do any better. Today, I was one hundred percent sure I was right where I was supposed to be, with the man I was always supposed to be with.
“Hey, can I come in?”
“Sure. Hi, Mom.”
“Grandma!” Bella raced over to my mother and almost knocked her over. “See my dress? It has butterflies on it.”
“You look beautiful, Bella.” She took Bella’s face in her hands and kissed her cheek.
“Hi, Grace! Nice to see you!” Daina said to my mother as she straightened out the hem of Bella’s dress.
“You look beautiful. Happiness looks good on you, Samantha.” Her jaw trembled, and her eyes reddened as she looked up at me. My mother was a smaller version of me with olive skin and bob-length black hair. She wore a silver dress with a matching short jacket on her petite frame. Even in her sixties, she was so pretty. She took my hand and smiled. It was nice to have her around again these past couple of years. Marc’s nasty personality made a lot of my friends and family stay away.
“See you inside, my beautiful, brave girl.” I kissed her on her cheek, and she nodded, turning around to leave and sit with the other guests.
“C’mon squirt. Let’s see who’s already here.” Daina and Bella followed my mother outside so I could finish getting ready.
“Samantha? Can I come in?” A timid looking Jessica stood in the doorway. I nodded and smiled, knowing Lucas probably sent his sister in here to apologize for telling me to back off.
“I have a delivery for you.” She had a small black box with a white ribbon around it in her hand.
“Delivery? From Lucas? He already gave me a wedding gift.” I held up my bouquet of lilies. I’d wrapped the shark tooth necklace around the stems.
“Well, I guess you have another. You know him, always has to do everything big.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to see that about your brother,” I noted as I looked around the room.
Jessica wore a black spaghetti strap dress with six-inch stiletto heels. Her chestnut hair was pulled up in a loose knot with curly tendrils trickling down. She towered over me, but she couldn’t face me.
“So, um, here.” She held out the box, and I took it from her hand. Inside were pink diamond stud earrings to match my ring. My eyes grew wide, and I shook my head in disbelief.
“Your brother is nuts. These are too much.” I took the earrings out of the box—they were gorgeous. I put them down on the vanity table and lifted my arms to remove the earrings I already had on.
“I didn’t know Lucas gave you Dad’s necklace.” Jessica sat down on the couch, still looking down.
