“What kind of secret?”I ask.
“Will you help my mom plan my baby shower?”
My brain screeches to a halt.I blink, uncertain whether I heard her correctly or imagined the entire exchange in my head.
“You’re pregnant?!”
She gives a sheepish nod.
“Oh my god, congratulations!I’d be honored!”
We squeal and hug and welcome the rest of the class in on the celebration.
With forgiveness from my friends for ghosting them for so long and my heart full of excitement from my best friend’s news, I jump into the self-defense class that’s taught me so much and helped me conquer so many fears.
Without the safety of this gym, I would’ve never survived long enough to reunite with Brennan.He would’ve never gotten the chance to eradicate my nightmares.
I can never repay Mr.Carter, Brook, and this group of women.
But I can include everyone in my bridal party.
***
I pace back and forth along the floor-to-ceiling windows.Still in my business suit from a busy day at the office, I delay changing into the casual dress hanging in the restroom.
I haven’t had the nervous sweats in years, but I’ve overthought the next few hours to exhaustion.The last thing I want to do is sweat through my clothes before the guests even arrive.
Brook calls a greeting from the hallway.I jump and squeak before pressing my palm to my sternum.
“Why are you still in work clothes?”she accuses.
I eye her attire and quirk a brow.
“To change with you, duh,” I joke.
She returns my raised brow and answers with an unconvinced, “Yeah, sure.”
With my best friend by my side, I change into the dress I chose to wear to our first wedding rehearsal.
All my nervousness melts away when Brennan greets me in the hall.We join Brook, Matteo, Carlos, and Liam in the dining room.
As the rest of the bridal party arrives, I ignore the first hints of a tension headache, but after a while, the crowd in the dining room is too much, so I wait until Brennan is in deep discussion with Mr.Sterling and step into the hall.
I lean against the wall, close my eyes, and drop my head back, hoping a few minutes of quiet will ease my headache.When the pain remains, I decide a glass of water is overdue, so I open my eyes and stand.
Penelope slips out of the side door, spots me, and joins me with uncertainty in every step.
“Can I talk to you?”she asks.
“Of course.What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just…”
She’s a terrible liar.The fear and worry in her eyes as she glances back toward the dining room heightens my awareness.
Heat prickles the back of my neck, and a band tightens around my skull.
“I don’t think I can be your bridesmaid,” she blurts and cringes.
