THE REST OF OUR REHEARSALgoes off without a hitch. We devour the food, and I don’t even worry about how my dress will fit tomorrow because the baked ziti is just that good. We laugh, talk, and relish the good company of those gathered around us. My parents and Tate’s get along well for not having spent much time together, and we end up staying long after dessert to enjoy them recounting tales from our youths. When it’s time to part ways, Tate walks me to my parents’ car and kisses me a chaste goodnight. He’s surprisingly superstitious about not seeing me on the day of our wedding until I meet him down the aisle, so we made the decision to sleep apart for this one night.
Belly full and worries forgotten now that everything is right with my sister and Drew, I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow in my childhood bedroom. Exhaustion lulls me under but the morning arrives all too soon.
“Wakey, wakey! I brought bakey!” Kate’s sing song voice startles me from my slumber.
“What time is it?” I grumble and pull the sheets over my head.
“Time to get the hell up! You’re getting married and I get to play beauty salon!”
I toss the sheets off my body and sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I don’t normally do makeup, but I gave my BFF full rein today. Her excitement scares me, but she’s the only one I trust to make me look every bit as beautiful as I feel. “How exactly are we best friends?”
She shrugs, holding out the colorful Dutch Brothers cup clenched in her hand. “I don’t really know, but it’s been working for us since seventh grade, so relax and let me in.”
I accept the proffered coffee and inhale the aromatic goodness. “That’s what he said.”
“Oh, sex jokes. That’s why we’re friends.”
“And you brought me coffee.”
“Well, duh. You’d be a total bitch without it.”
“And I think you promised me bacon with your beautiful song.”
“Correction. I said bakey ... a word I regrettably made up to rhyme. But your mom has a full spread of food in the kitchen. Let’s go eat before I get to fix your face.” Kate’s smile grows with her enthusiasm.
I shake my head and laugh as I climb out of bed. “Kate.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For the coffee. For knowing how to do makeup when I can’t. For always accepting me as I am. I’m so proud to have you as my maid of honor.”
“Ditto.” She nods and I think she might cry. Instead she squeezes my hand and screams. “OH MY GOD YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED TODAY!”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “That’s been the plan all along.”
“But it’s finally happening! I’m so damn excited!”
“I can tell. Come on, I need food to survive the next few hours.” I pull her out of my room and down the hallway.
“Why aren’t you freaking out? You’re like the most chill bride. You’re supposed to be stressed and barking orders and shit. I watch the shows.”
The truth ... “I am so ready to marry that man.”
All day I wasn’t nervous. True story. Hair. Makeup. Pictures with my bridesmaids. All good. Dress on and ride over to The Farm. Not one bit rattled. But when they shuffle us into a room to wait, and music plays while the guests arrive, I get a little antsy.
“Is it go time yet?” I whine even though I hate whining.
“Almost there, sis. You ready?” Melissa reaches out to take my hand but I can’t hold still.
“So ready! God, I’m glad I didn’t wear heels.” I pace the ten-by-ten-foot space. Kate, Melissa, and Carly sit on the oversized couch as I attempt to walk a trail into the stone floor.
“Well, I’m not. It’s a travesty to fashion that you’re pairing Chucks with such a gorgeous gown. You could’ve at least had them bedazzled,” Kate complains.
“How much longer?” I ask again, because really, what gives? How long does it take to seat a few dozen people?
“I guarantee, as hyped up as you feel now, my brother’s got to be a hundred times worse. I think he was still hoping you’d call him to elope this morning!” Carly laughs and shakes her head.
“It’s probably too late for that now.” I huff, and sit on the empty chair facing my friends. They all look lovely in their blue gowns of different shades and styles. Carly’s sea blue bodice shows off her figure, but the tulle skirt brings a flirty feel to her knee length gown. Kate’s bright sea blue satin fabric hugs every inch of her almost nine-month belly. I don’t know exactly how she does it, but she’s as sexy with all her pregnant curves as without. Her toned and tan legs are on display through the slit up one side, and of course she’s rocking killer pumps I could never walk in without taking a nosedive.
