Page 19 of Dark Endures

“That’s it. I can’t wait anymore.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m already married.” Dahlia holds up a hand covered in two diamond rings, one in an antique setting and the other’s setting could only be described as sleek and massively modern. That diamond could probably pay for a penthouse. “We got married Friday.”

Wait! What? “Wasn’t that the day you were supposed to meet his family?”

She nods. “We had the ceremony right in Louisella’s backyard.”

Louisella? Isn’t that the woman Canyon was talking about?

“And the one time I miss a get-together,” Fea whines.

Who elopes in the middle of a family event? That’s completely wild and insane.

“My mom wants us to have a big wedding, too. And I can’t deny I love the idea of a pretty dress and all the flowers.”

Who doesn’t love a pretty dress and oodles of flowers? But a wedding? Maybe I’m jaded, but I can’t stand weddings.

“That’s actually another thing I wanted to talk to you guys about.” Dahlia sets down her cookie. “I wanted to ask the three…two of you to be my bridesmaids.”

Oh yippie, yet another dress I have to pay for, not to mention a bachelorette party and wedding gifts. I just can’t afford all that.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEE.” Fiona jumps up and hugs Dahlia. “Yes. Yes. We’re so excited.”

I try to fake a bit of excitement. Dahlia is my friend. This is a big moment for her.

“So, what colors did you pick?” Fiona takes a sip of her coffee and grabs a muffin off the platter.

“Mom was thinking of a theme more than a specific color.”

A theme?

“A spring garden. She found these bridesmaid dresses.”Dahlia passes over her fancy cell phone with the images pulled up.

“Beautiful,” Fiona gushes. “I love that they have different cuts to fit each of our body types.”

The ethereal floral dresses are covered in layers of probably hand-cut flowers. I barely hold in a gasp when I see the designer’s name. Does she really think I can afford a dress that expensive? We aren’t all best-selling authors.

What am I going to say? There’s no way I could afford a single flower on that outfit.

“The shoes are what make it.” She passes her phone around to show us these ankle-wrapped crystal floral shoes.

Those are to die for. Quite literally, most women would kill to own a pair that lovely. But that’s the only way I’ll ever be wearing them.

What in the world am I going to say? Dahlia has to know this is too over the top. She works the same job.

“I’m determined that the only drama during this wedding is going to be the battle between who gets to foot the bill, my parents or Maverick.” Dahlia reaches for a croissant. “We decided to do a joint bachelor and bachelorette party. All the expenses will be covered for both the wedding and all the events. So, all you need to do is come and have fun.”

That means… I can do this. I can be her bridesmaid!

A hand lands on my shoulder. “You’re showing promise.”The crazy woman I’ve met all over Willow Street stands over me and then disappears.

“Who is that?” And why is she so terrifying? Too frightening for me even to ask the question out loud.

“That’s Louisella. She helped establish Willow Street. And is one of the scariest women I’ve ever met.” Fiona grins.

Elopements, babies, and scary maybe matchmakers… what an odd day.

New Plan Of Attack

Maddox

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