Page 49 of One Night Only
“I’mfine,” she says. “I have to get tissues. Go get into place. We’re probably holding the whole thing up.”
She runs into the restroom opposite and I turn to leave, but as I go I bump into the table next to me, sending a vase wobbling. At the sound of it, Declan’s head snaps my way, spotting me instantly.
Busted.
I open my mouth to apologize for eavesdropping but freeze as his gaze sweeps over me, taking in my dress, my hair, me. I brace myself from some teasing words, some flirtatious look like I’ve come to expect from him. Instead, the smile slips from his face.
He frowns.
Hefrownsat me.
“Declan.” Connor emerges from a side door and Declan turns without another word and follows his cousin, disappearing from view.
Confused, I turn to the grand mirror in the lobby, checking my reflection, looking for something amiss. But there’s nothing. I look okay, I think. The dress fits me perfectly and my hair looks neat and my makeup is good and I…I look nice. Right?
Beautiful even.
So what the hell was that?
I mean, okay, I didn’t have a soft spotlight behind me, or birds chirping at my shoulder, but I lookhot.
Not that I care what he thinks but who looks at a woman in her bridesmaid dress andfrowns.
I could rip that pinned bowtie off his stupid shirt and shove it up his—
“Sarah!” Mary emerges from the restroom, tissues in hand. “I’m late. I know I’m—” She stops as she takes me in fully, one hand fluttering to her chest. “You look beautiful,” she says. “Annie is so lucky to have you.”
See?See?!That is the right reaction.
“You don’t look too bad yourself, Mrs. Murphy.”
“Oh, this old thing,” she says. “I’ve had it for years. Cotton,” she whispers. “Very breathable.”
“Ah.”
She squeezes my hand and leads me back to the lobby, where Annie stands looking just as I’d hoped she would. Her hair is pinned up, her makeup subtle, her grandmother’s pearls her only jewelry. She looks stunning, regal and calm. Only when I get closer do I see the barely concealed panic in her eyes.
“Where did you go?” she whispers when she sees me.
“Oh my God, the strangest thing happened. Paul tried to escape?”
“Sarah.”
“I think I’ve convinced him to go through with it, but you better marry him quickly because—”
“I hate you.” She laughs.
“Can we have the maid of honor, please,” someone calls gently to the group.
“Are you good?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says, her eyes focused on the tent behind us. She is good.
“Your collarbone looks amazing.”
“Would you just go already?”
I kiss her on the cheek. “See you on the other side.”
