Page 37 of Fauxmance

We all waited. Patience was a virtue.

"Tonight's wedding, the very one I am to host"—Mrs. Wheeler took a moment to compose herself then continued—"will be attended by one of the most brilliant women to ever live, the #1 wedding planner of this era,theConstance Davenport."

I gasped as did many other girls in the vicinity—including my sister, who stood a bit straighter. I couldn't believe what I'd just heard.

Mrs.Wheeler nodded. "Yes, it's true. I just heard and came to tell you.Mrs.Davenport will be our guest of honor. The weddings she attends inevitably end up making history, like the woman herself. We need to put our best foot forward. Nothing can go wrong tonight, ladies. You just be the beautiful, well-mannered, genuine souls I've worked with these past weeks, and all shall be well. Understand?"

Everyone nodded, even Izzy.Mrs. Wheeler's smile hadn't faltered, but her tone had taken on a more serious edge as she kept speaking.

"Good luck, bridesmaids," she said. "I know you'll make me proud."

With that, she swept from the room, leaving a whole bunch of talk in her wake. Jasmine was hot on her heels, no doubt reeling from this recent development. At least, it was a good surprise.Constance Davenport. I remembered her name being mentioned in several of our lessons. She was also in quite a few of the articles I'd read about wedding season.Mrs.Wheeler hadn't stated the half of it. If there was royalty in the wedding world, Constance would be the queen. We had to put on a good show tonight.

And I needed to go get dressed.

I went into one of the bathrooms and changed. My mom had worked a miracle. The fit of my dress was perfect. I felt relieved, amazing, and so grateful. I wished I could hug her, but I knew she was busy helping my sister and the other girls. When I walked back out, and looked at myself in the mirror, I shook my head. My curves were giving me a nice hourglass today. It was partially the fit of the dress. But it was also something else.

Once again my mother was right, I thought.

Forget diamonds.

Spanx were a girl's best friend.

I smiled as I swished my skirt back and forth, enjoying the bell-like movement. This was it. I was the maid of honor. And nothing would stop me from going to this wedding.

CHAPTER 7

"I'm sorry, miss, but you can't go in without an escort."

This couldn't be happening.

"Miss?" the man said again. "Did you hear me?"

My dreams of being a bridesmaid couldn't end here, steps away from the grand staircase. Life wouldn't be that cruel. There was only this dapper silver gentleman standing in my way. He looked like the kind-grandfather type. Surely, he wouldn't stop me if he knew the whole story.

"But as I told you," I said patiently, "I had an escort all lined up. He just couldn't make it."

The man looked like he didn't believe me, but I pressed on.

"That's why I'll be escorting myself this evening."

"I'm going to have to ask you to move, miss."

He had me step out of line and gestured for the couple behind me to come forward. Sariah frowned as she walked by with her cousin on her arm. I wasn't sure if the look was for me or because he kept stepping on the train of her dress.

"I'd gladly let you take him," she whispered, and we both winced as the guy stuck a finger up his nose. "Gladly," she repeated. "But your sister will kill me if I don't go out there."

"That's thoughtful of you. I'll be okay, Sariah. No worries."

"You sure?"

I nodded, and she and her cousin kept walking.

"Please," I said, trying to get the man's attention again. "You don't understand. I'm the maid of honor."

"I have strict rules from the bride not to let anyone pass without an escort. She wasveryadamant about that."

I nodded. "Yes, that's my sister. The bride. No worries, I know she'd be cool about this."

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