“What do you mean?” Kat leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms. “Are you just nervous? Or are you having second thoughts?”
“Who’s having second thoughts?”
Charli and Harper arrived in the bridal suite, their hands full of mimosas. Harper handed me a glass and asked, “Areyouhaving second thoughts, Jess?”
I didn’t answer her; I looked past her to Charli, who watched me carefully. She was still the only one of my friends who knew the truth.
Besides Preston.
I’d tossed and turned all night, reliving the way Preston had held my hand and told me not to go through with it.
As the hours went on, and midnight turned into morning, I couldn’t help but read more into Preston’s words. Was there more of a reason he didn’t want me to marry Trevor? Did he feel this crazy pull toward me the way I was feeling it toward him?
And was there anything to that feeling? Or was it only because I was all messed up with everything going on, and he happened to be around, giving me attention?
I had so many questions, and no answers for any of them.
“Jess?” Kat urged. “It’s okay to talk about it, you know. Imean, I think all of us have felt…” She trailed off because none of them hadarrangementsor business deals or any of the other bullshit I was dealing with. All my friends had found true love with their partners.
“I just…” I started, unsure of how to actually say what I was feeling. “I should be in love, right?” I blurted the question and quickly took a gulp of my mimosa as my friends all stared at me with open mouths.
All but Charli, who looked like she had something to say.
Kat and Harper exchanged glances.
“Um…yes,” Harper said. “I’d say you should be in love with the man you’re about to marry.” She looked over at Charli. “Right?”
“Absolutely,” she said without taking her eyes off me. “That’s theonlyreason you should get married.”
I looked away and dropped my head.
“Jess? Is there something you’re?—”
“Knock, knock!”
My head snapped up as the wedding coordinator popped her head into the bridal suite.
“We need to—oh. You’re not dressed yet.”
“We still need a minute,” Kat said, taking charge. “The bride isn’t pleased with her hair, so I’ll have to redo it.” The lie slipped easily off her lips, and I loved her for it.
“Redo it?” I didn’t have to see the coordinator to know that the woman was panicking. “But the timing will be off and all the guests?—”
“Who cares about the guests?” Kat smiled sweetly, but there was just enough steel behind it. “It’s not their day, is it? My focus is on the bride. Now, if you could please excuse us so we can get to work.”
“Yes, of course,” the poor woman stammered. “If you could just let me know when?—”
“We will.” Harper ushered her out of the room and shut the door behind her.
When she was gone, and it was just us again, Charli pulled up a chair and sat directly across from me. She took my hand in hers and squeezed. “You don’t have to do this, Jess.”
“What’s going on?” Harper asked. “Are you really not in love with Trevor?”
I couldn’t look at her when I shook my head.
“Oh, shit,” Kat breathed. “Then what are?—”
“Jess.” Charli’s voice broke through. “You can change your mind.”
