Page 39 of Fauxmance

"No ma'am," I said. "I wouldn't do that for the world."

"I knew you'd understand, sweetheart. The wedding must go on."

I nodded.Yes, it must, I thought.With or without me.

"Go," I said to the girls, feeling the frustration build up behind my lids but forcing it down. "Have a good time. This is it!"

Izzy and the sisters still looked upset, but their escorts seemed relieved.

"Hey, Mrs. Wheeler," Izzy said. "Can't my boyfriend escort Magnolia, too? He has another arm over there."

"I'd be happy to," he said, and I saw the flash of metal on his tongue.

Mrs. Wheeler must've, too, because now her smile looked more like a grimace.

"One escort per girl," she said. "We're not running some kind of polygamous society here."

Izzy went to object, but Mrs. Wheeler shushed her.

"Kindly get back in line, Isabel," she said. "We can't keep the people waiting."

She patted my arm, promising to come back soon, mumbling something about going to the kitchen to see if one of the waiters might walk with me. I cringed, thinking about that possibility. Once she was gone, the girls turned back to me.

"Sorry, Magnolia," Veronica said.

"It'll be okay," Viveca promised.

"I tried," Izzy said.

"I know," I said. "And I'm grateful."

"This sucks. You were the one who was the most excited about this bridesmaid thing to begin with."

I took a deep breath and gave them my best, I'm-totally-cool-with-this-don't-worry-about-me smile.

"It's fine," I said, gesturing to the announcer. "I still think I can convince him. We Mills women are adept in the art of persuasion. I've just got to soften him up."

Veronica smiled, though it looked a little forced. "You work your magic, and we'll see you down there."

I sent them off with a nod and watched as each of my friends was announced, one after the other. When the line was finished, I took a deep breath and stepped up to the silver man once more.

"Yes?" he said without looking at me.

"Excuse me, sir," I said. "I forgot to tell you something."

No response.

"You look quite dapper in your suit and tales."

"Hmm."

"You remind me of a young Gregory Peck."

His eyes crinkled as he looked to me. "Why thank you. Do you know? Peck is one of my favorite actors."

"Oh mine, too," I said. "I loved him inRoman Holiday."

"As did I. You know, I'm sorry your escort cancelled," he said. "That's too bad."

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