Page 134 of Connectio
Epilogue
“Is it too much?” I ask Carly, Fiona, and Alexis as I twirl my Cinderella-inspired wedding gown, silk, tule, and shimmering chiffon swishing as I spin one way and then the next.
Fi playfully rolls her eyes. “Yes.”
“No!” Alexis places her hands on my shoulders and turns me to face the mirror. “It’s not. It’s almost perfect.”
“Almost?”
“You’re missing one thing.”
“Oh! Of course! My tiara!” I hoist up my dress and skip to the bedside table in the bridal suite of City Manor, a 19th century homestead that Bryce bought a little over a year ago.
Nestled among pristine rose gardens and perfectly manicured hedges, City Manor sits on a generous allotment on the city’s fringe. When Bryce showed us his new acquisition with the intent to bring a country escape to the city, I couldn’t believe my luck. It was absolutely perfect. Mystical, magical… a fairy tale castle in a fairy tale setting.
Collecting the delicate crystal tiara in my hand, I bite my lip. “I completely forgot to give this to the hairdresser to put in my hair. I’m such an idiot.”
“Here.” Carly takes it from me. “I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?”
She points to her head. “This doesn’t just happen. It takes skill and know-how.”
“But you didn’t do your hair, Carls. The hairdresser did.”
She scoffs. “Not today, I didn’t. But every other day, I do.”
I look to Alexis and Fi for support, and they quickly turn around and busy themselves.
Carly huffs. “Just stand still. I’ve got you. Haven’t I always got you?”
Tears prick my eyes, and I’m not sure if it’s because of the tiara now digging into my scalp or because of my best friend’s words.
“Yes,” I whisper. “You have always got me. And I know I don’t tell you this enough, but I’m so thankful you do.”
She studies the top of my head before glancing down at me face, her smoky eyes glassy. “Don’t you dare cry, Labia. You’re ugly when you cry. You can’t be ugly today.”
I choke on my teary laugh and splutter, “Bitch.”
Carly plumps my red curls to sit on my shoulders then steps back, holding me at arm’s length. “There. Almost perfect.”
“Almost? Why do you both keep saying ‘almost’?”
She glances at Alexis, who steps up to me with a white box.
“We thought you should wear these,” Alexis says.
Curious, I take the box, lower myself onto the corner of the bed, and open it to find one Jimmy Choo replica glass slipper.
“Oh my God!” I shriek. “Are these Cinderella’s—?”
“Yes!” Alexis nods like a maniac, her teeth almost brighter than the crystals on the expensive and overly extravagant high heel.
“But…” I suspend the shoe, rotating it in my hand.
Hundreds of tiny crystals embellish the entire satin surface, accentuated by a large crystal flower motif on the toe. I’m almost afraid to touch it for fear it’ll smash in my hand.
“H-How?” I stutter. “Hang on, wait!” I lift the tissue paper in the box. “Where’s the other one?”
