Page 65 of Pierced Pages
Danielle slid each of the earrings into her holes beneath the new green earrings Morgan had pierced for her a couple weeks ago. While she knew they weren’t fully healed, the new holes weren’t red or itchy or sore at all anymore, and she was cleaning them just as instructed. It had been as easy a process as Morgan had promised.
She admired the new pair peeking out from behind her hair draped over each side of her face. She brushed the hair back to get a better look at them and momentarily wished she had chosen a different hairstyle to show them off. But Lila had helped her decide that wearing her hair down looked best with this dress, and it had been an excellent decision. She just wished she could show off the earrings a little more.
When she returned to the living room, she glanced at the clock. “I’m still way too early.”
“Better to be ready early than have to rush,” Melanie said. “Have you eaten anything?”
“I’m too nervous.”
“Well, it’s going to be too late before you eat tonight to go without food.”
“I just put on lipstick.”
“You can reapply it after you eat something.”
“But the dress.”
Melanie walked to the kitchen and began rummaging through the fridge and cabinets. Danielle’s heart warmed at the realization that Melanie felt comfortable enough in her apartment to help look for things, even if Danielle wasn’t sure about actually eating whatever Melanie found.
A few moments later, Melanie made a triumphant noise and pulled out a box of saltines and a jar of peanut butter.
“Here. High protein, stomach-settling crackers, and low potential of ruining your dress if you sit and eat them at the bar.”
Danielle sighed and grabbed a plate from the cabinet.
“I’ve got it,” Melanie said. “Sit.”
She did as commanded, slipping onto one barstool while Lila grabbed one beside her. Melanie pulled out a butter knife and began smearing peanut butter on a few crackers, then handed the plate to Danielle.
“Eat.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Danielle said, laughing at the teacher voice her friend had pulled out. She took a bite of one cracker, carefully eating over the plate to catch any stray crumbs. After she swallowed the first bite, she raised a brow at Melanie and said, “Happy?”
Melanie gave her a warm smile. “Ecstatic.”
Chapter 29
Morgan
The women began filing out of the room, a sea of dusty sage heading to the space behind the church where the photographer was waiting for them. The maid of honor held back to help carry Felicia’s train, but Morgan intervened.
“I’ve got this.”
The woman shrugged and told Felicia she’d see her outside.
“Sorry,” Felicia said, turning to Morgan once her best friend left the room. “I didn’t mean to make you feel left out. I asked Liz because I figured you wouldn’t want to do all of?—”
“No, no. It’s not that.” Morgan walked over to her bag, the dark blue canvas a sore thumb amidst the elegant clutches and makeup bags surrounding it. She pulled out the little white box and handed it to Felicia. “Not for today. I know you picked out yours special for this. But I just wanted you to have them. My pre-wedding gift.”
Felicia opened the box and let out a tiny gasp. “Morgan, they’re beautiful.”
“They’re tanzanite. It’s a December birthstone,” she said. “It helps with speaking emotions into words.”
Felicia’s eyes widened. “You remembered we wrote our own vows.”
With a soft laugh, Morgan added, “I have an actual gift for you, too.”
“Thisisan actual gift.”
