the Bride
com or one of those classic Pinterest-worthy moments. I'd be in a red dress, the wind playing in my hair, the sun casting a g
t
at the seams when I breathe. I've spent the entire day forcing smiles for the cameras, my best friend's br
t the
wish
eant to clap from the sidelines while the love o
y, I was determ
uencer fiancée-as one of her two handpicked bridesmaids, the other being my best friend, Maya.
it a
istian Blak
d do anyth
back gently, her smile small
ls?" she asks,
t reach my eyes. "I'm fine,
s she knows me better than I want her to
was you up there. I neve
ow. "Come on. Be happy for your brother.
mutters, glancing at her ph
These heels ar
ning to wilt in our hands. Guests are murmuring, checking their watches, and sipping expensive cham
hristian storms a
es through the tension like a kni
e says and disappea
er minutes later. I toss my bouquet onto an old lady's lap-she glares at me b
p in, I know som
who stands statue-still in the center of the room. His jaw is clenched. Daniella, their hot-headed
demand, my voice slic
eyes wide. "She'
e? What do yo
ivienne freaking DuPont ran of
social media icon, and Christia
side are sipping their second glasses of champagne, confusion painted across their Boto
the
ished int
e actua
tly tailored black suit that probably cost more than my rent for a year. His h
unsure what to do,
's stuck in traffic
laugh. Do
e low and hard. "She took the pri
wal
win awards, command boardrooms, walk into rooms like he owne
ks...
I want to find Vivienne and slap t
go f
his hand shoots out
ire and ice and everyth
ve," he says,
s, guiding her parents and sister out t
And Chris
?" I whisper. "You
want to f
ugher. He steps closer, and
says, eyes lo
" I repeat
n't
stare is unreadable, but inten
or," he says.
? You're s
rry
ng in the ai
hear
w
nk. "
ow. Toda
you can't
nds out Vivienne ran, it all falls apart. I can't afford this scandal.
't br
tartled sound. "You
sn't d
like you ,l just n
ng but does it
shoulders. L
t might be the bigges
e beginning of the only
r. "Let's get ma
er-surprise? R
ready dialing his phone. Already salvag
d
t someone else's wedding, agreeing to m
either m
f
want
***
rea
don't be ready to