She smiled. "She's just another bridezilla; nothing I haven't dealt with before. Don't even worry about it. After this, I'm having a drink and a nap."
Allie wished she could join the woman. But they still had the ceremony and the reception to survive.
As they lined up at the chapel, Brandy plastered a smile on her face.
"How is my beautiful daughter?" Brandy's father said, leaning in to hug and kiss her.
"Don't touch me, Dad. I don't want my dress, hair, or makeup messed up."
Her bridesmaids looked around nervously.
"All of you need to look happy!" Brandy snarled. "This ismywedding day."
"This is so exciting!" Stacy said, jumping up and down.
"Who is going to give me the signal?" Brandy hissed. "I don't have a wedding planner."
"Brandy, just wait in this side room," Allie ordered. "Your father will let you know when it's time."
Stacy seemed giddy to be a bridesmaid. "This is so beautiful! Look at the flowers! Look at the decorations! It's so magical. I want this!" She waved her ring around. "And I will soon." She smiled.
"That’s great, Stacy," Allie said absently as the guys showed up.
"Fernando is drunk," she hissed to Carter.
"He needed fortification," he muttered back. "At least he's here."
"You're not walking with me?" Stacy pouted at Carter.
"You're with Jean-Claude," Allie said to Stacy as she pushed everyone in line.
"Mademoiselle," the European said and kissed Stacy's hand.
She giggled obnoxiously.
The music started, and Allie tried to look pleasant walking down the aisle, but she was on pins and needles, wondering if Brandy was going to blow up or if Fernando would come to his senses and walk out in the middle of the ceremony.
As the musicians transitioned into the piece for the bridal entrance, Brandy started the walk down the aisle. She did look lovely, Allie had to admit. Her dress was a classical silhouette, with folds of lace and satin.
Allie fluffed out Brandy's dress when her father led her to stand in front of the preacher.
The ceremony concluded without a hitch, then there were pictures, and then they sped over to the clubhouse for yet more photos.
"These had better turn out great," Brandy said. "This is mainly why I'm doing this. I want nice pictures."
"The photographer is really good," Kate said. "I used her for my wedding, and my pictures are lovely."
Allie breathed a sigh of relief when they were released for cocktail hour. Carter already had a drink and a small plate of snacks for her. The men had finished their pictures a good half hour before the bridesmaids.
"I think you've earned this," Carter said as Allie took a grateful sip of the wine.
When cocktail hour was over, they all went into the reception area. The DJ announced them, there were the first dances, and then Allie felt as if she could finally relax. She grabbed another drink and listened to the toasts. Jean-Claude gave one for Fernando, and Ginny gave one for Brandy.
Then Fernando's brother gave a speech. Allie hadn't planned on two people giving a speech for Brandy, but the DJ was looking around at the bridesmaids for their second person. Stacy stood up and tottered up to the microphone.
It took a second for Allie to register what was happening, and she looked around wildly. What was going on? What was Stacy doing?
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