Page 6 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

I don’t know how a bride could feel worse hours before she says “I do.”

I turn around from the mirror to look at the room full of the women I love the most. My three sisters; my mom; Charlie, essentially my sister-in-law; and my best friend Andi. I had invited Sheila to come back with us, but she declined, saying she wants to see me in the dress for the first time when I walk down the aisle.

Which is probably good. I don’t know if I can hold my face back much longer.

My sister Quinn tries to say something, but can’t find the words. And she never struggles with what to say.

“It’s…”

“It’s a dress.” That comes from my oldest sister, Maeve, whose eyes are now twice the normal size. I hope she doesn’t play poker with that face.

“That it is!”

Gee, thanks, Mom.

I push back the threatening tears as I turn to Ainsley. The girl can always find the silver lining. She doesn’t have a mean or negative bone in her body. She’ll make me feel better about this.

“Ainsley? What do you think?”

She doesn’t say anything. But she doesn’t have to. The combined look of horror, panic, and shock says everything she isn’t vocalizing.

I’m the most hideous bride to ever walk down an aisle.

This isnotthe moment I was hoping for.

“Stella?”

I hear the words from my mom’s mouth, but I don’t move.It’s like I’m frozen as I watch everyone in the room start to circle around me. My breath is picking up speed. My heart is racing.

Then…out of somewhere deep inside my gut…I let it out.

And I just fucking scream.

“Ahhhh! I can’t do this! I can’t get married!”

Somehow I push back the tears, because like hell I’m going to cry off this makeup. I paid good money for it—with myownmoney since my dumbass fiancé lost all of ours—and like hell am I going to be in an ugly-ass dressandsplotchy makeup.

Before anyone can say anything, I hear a pounding on the door. My eyes go wide in a panic, not wanting anyone to see or hear me in this state.

Or in this dress.

“I got it,” Andi says, staying calm as she opens the door. But not all the way. Just enough to see who it is.

“Is everything okay?”

The voice is coming from Sheila. When Andi looks back to me, I furiously shake my head. She’s the last person I want in here.

“Everything is fine, and actually, you’re just the person I was looking for! I need your opinion on how we set up…” Andi’s voice drifts off as she exits the room and presumably guides Sheila away. I don’t know what lie she’s pulling out of her ass, but I’m really glad I’m friends with a woman who works with lawyers.

Because she knows how to lie like one.

Maeve claps her hands so all attention turns to her. “Quinn: Tissues. Ainsley: Drink. Charlie?—

“I’m going to watch the door,” Charlie says. “You know, just in case Monster-in-Law breaks away from Andi.”

I want to laugh, but I can’t as Maeve sits me down between her and my mom on the oversized couch in the bridal suite of the hotel. Ainsley hurriedly hands me my comfort drink—Diet Dr Pepper, in a can, with a straw, so I don’t mess up my lipstick.

She’s the best.

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