Page 35 of Fauxmance

I nodded. "I love it. Ooh, and Vivian, my hair looks like something out of a magazine. The long strands are so smooth and silky. I don't know how you pulled that off."

Vivian gave me a shrug. "It's a gift."

"Well, thank you both so much."

Veronica nodded. "You're welcome. And I'm sure you'll be okay without an escort. Who really cares about that anyway?"

I shot her a grateful nod.

A flash of white caught my eye, and when I looked to the right, I saw my sister. She looked gorgeous in her wedding gown, the bodice fitted and covered with crystals, the train behind her flowing like a river as she walked toward me. Her skin was flawless. Unlike me, Jasmine knew exactly how to do her makeup—even without it, she'd always been beautiful. I'd seen the baby pictures—and today, she looked like something out of a dream.

"Magnolia! There you are." she said, stepping up to me and placing her hands on her hips. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Jas," I breathed, "you look like a goddess."

"Please." She rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was pleased by the small smile on her face.

"I'm serious," I said. "Cole is going to lose his mind when he sees you."

"Laying it on a little thick, but thank you, baby sister." Jasmine shot me a wink. "And what about you? Didn't anyone tell you not to upstage the bride?"

I shook my head. "Impossible. You're the most beautiful bride ever."

Jasmine sighed and pulled me into a hug. "And this is why I love you—and why you're my maid of honor."

I smiled.

"It's been crazy here," she lowered her voice. "I feel like everything's going to fall apart at any moment."

"It's going to be amazing," I said. "You've made sure of that."

"The florist messed up," she mumbled.

"But she's back. Mom and I saw her when we came in."

"Wonderful," she said. "The DJ called to say he's going to be late to the reception."

"That's why we made a wedding playlist," I said.

Jasmine swallowed. "My phone died a minute ago, and I forgot my charger."

"No worries, I brought one."

"The playlist is on there, but I don't even know if the stereo has Bluetooth, and—"

"And," I interrupted gently, "we have a back-up CD for emergencies."

She let out a sigh. "The stress is making me act like a jerk."

"You?" I said. "My lovable sister, a jerk? Never."

"I really wish Dad was here," she said quietly.

I nodded and held her tighter. "Me, too."

"Whenever I pictured this day, he was always a part of it."

"I know."

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