Page 123 of The Sweetest Devotion

My mother narrowed her eyes. “What makes you thinkyou’renot good enough for him?”

I knew what she was doing, but this wasn’t about my self-esteem. I smiled bitterly. “His ex really did a number on his ego by making him feel like he wasn’t good enough for her, and here I am telling him he’s only good enough for a screw.

“I hate this for him, because I’m only holding him back. But I’m selfish because I want every bit of him and I know I can’t have him, or give him more.” I blinked back tears. Happy I’d forgone makeup for the day. “In a perfect world…I’d love for Daddy to meet him, because I know he’d love him. Keith teaches me things, and he’s not impressed by all this.”

Instead of watching me crumble, my mother stood and came over to me. She hugged me close, allowing me to bury my face into her chest and let out a long-earned sob. Thankfully, I didn’t ugly cry and do the whole waterworks thing, but letting out the pain eased up the vise on my heart.

My mother pulled back and wiped away my tears. “Oh, baby, we gotta get this handled. I don’t know what to do, but these men gotta leave you out of their business. Even if Keith isn’t the one for you in the end, it should be up to you.”

I sniffled, fixing myself together. I thought of my father, and I thought of Cain. Everything was gray as confusion set in.

Somewhere in the background a door shut loudly and I snapped to as I rushed to look presentable. Tucking some hair behind my ears, I sat up straight and braced myself to face other people.

Footsteps echoed across the hardwood floor as Stephanie and Elyse entered the room from our left. Both looked ecstatic for the day’s event. Elyse was even wielding a bottle of her own champagne.

“Oh, you’re here!” I let out as I took in their arrival and wiped at my face in case a tear had leaked free.

“Right on time,” Stephanie said with a wink.

Just as they entered the room, LeChé was coming in behind them appearing apologetic. “Sorry for the wait, I got caught up on the phone with my assistant.” She glanced at my superficial friends and brightened up. “Ah, welcome, bridal party.”

Elyse squealed as she came rushing over to me to hand over the champagne. Stephanie was not far behind bearing an equally big cheesy grin on her face. Together they surrounded me as I stood up, and hugged me.

“Oh my God, Kenn, this is really happening,” Stephanie gushed.

“Have you decided where you’re honeymooning?” Elyse wanted to know next as she ran her fingers through my hair.

A honeymoon with Cain? Suddenly I felt like Persephone about to endure her winters with Hades.

I racked my brain for cliché honeymoon spots and came up empty. I hadn’t given it much thought at all. “So much is going on, I can hardly focus as it is. Maybe Bali?”

Elyse’s eyes enlarged as she gaped at Stephanie before turning to me. “Looove it. Takelotsof pictures when you go.” She nudged me on the sly. “And don’t come back empty, either.”

I almost threw up in my mouth.

“Bali sounds good,” LeChé agreed as she came close to our group. She took a hold of my hand and did a once-over of my body. “You are going to be a beautiful bride, Kennedy.”

With all eyes on me I did my best to fight my nausea.I was used to being the center of attention. Now I felt like some type of public sacrifice.

LeChé clasped her hands together loudly. “Now, let’s find your dream dress!”

“Yeah!” the girls cheered and my mother was nice enough to play the part and smile along.

Not me, though.

“Do you have a particular look you have in mind?” LeChé started out asking as she eyed her rack of dresses. “I’m happy to create anything you desire from scratch if you can’t find anything here. Most modern brides tend to gravitate to the A-line or ball gown style, but everyone’s different.”

“It doesn’t have to be this big production,” I insisted. “In fact, anything that fits will do.”

My mother gulped on her champagne as Elyse and Stephanie frowned.

I was breaking character, but this whole thing was depressing.

“Oh-kay, have you set a date? I think your mom mentioned December?” LeChé glanced to my mother, eager for her to join in on the conversation.

“December fourth,” I said lazily as I stepped around the women and helped myself to examining the first rack of gowns.

“Ah, okay, any special meaning to that day?” LeChé asked.

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