Page 11 of Before You Say I Do
“She doesn’t look like Katie Price, does she?”
Abby conjured an image of Jordan in her mind. Her laughter that crackled in the air long after she’d stopped. Her easy smile. The way she looked directly at Abby as if she knew far more about her already.
“Far from it.” Abby picked up an orange bikini bottom, but threw it back down just as quickly when she spied a pink glittery flower on it. “Plus, as you know, the Montgomerys and their friends are all from a certain background. Jordan isn’t. She could be one of our friends. It’s early days, but it’s nice to have someone on my side who’s in the middle of it all. Someone who gets me.”
“I get you.”
“You know what I mean. On staff. You’re not staff.”
“Oh my god. You’ve got staff for your wedding. Slippery slope. Have you told your mum yet?”
Abby shook her head. She wasn’t looking forward to telling Gloria. “Not yet.” She paused. “Are we good? I’ll tell Jordan she can take over the hen?”
Delta eyed her for a few moments, before nodding. “So long as she’s not ordering a second stripper.”
Abby nudged her. “You better be joking.” She held up a bikini that had more holes in it than material. “Do you think Marcus would appreciate this?”
Delta’s mouth curved into a smile. “If he doesn’t, he’s gay. Have I mentioned I’ve still got money on that, by the way?”
Abby rolled her eyes. “He’s not gay, believe me. He’s just sensitive.”
“Gay is not an insult. I’m just saying, I think there’s more to your husband-to-be than meets the eye. A little like his future wife, might I add. Does Marcus know you dabbled in college?”
Abby’s head whipped around to her best friend. “Enough.” There was a warning tone in her voice, and Delta heeded it.
“Okay, no going there today.” Delta picked up a baby-blue bikini with white orchids printed on it. “How about this one for our totally straight bride?”
Abby sighed, but couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her face. “I slept with one woman 15 years ago. You’d think you’d have let it lie by now.”
“Maybe you don’t know me that well.” Delta gave her a wide grin. It was good to see. “Tell me more about Jordan.”
“Let’s see. She’s about our age. Pretty, too. You’d like her.” Abby already did. “Blond hair, blue eyes, stylish. But the main thing is, she’s dealing with Marjorie, so I love her.”
“How much does she charge?”
“I don’t ask questions like that, because I’d probably baulk at the answer.”
“If I was the more sensitive type, I’d say I was being edged out.”
Abby raised an eyebrow. “Good job you’re so stoic, then, isn’t it?” She paused. “I still expect you to be there for me, by the way. Jordan is just a help. But there are some things I want your opinion on. Like the final wedding dress choice that’s happening soon. You’re definitely going to be there for that, right?” Abby and her mum had narrowed it down to the final two options and had them fitted.
Delta made the sign of the cross on her chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
Abby wagged a finger in her direction. “No dying on bridesmaid watch.”
Delta gave her a look. “Just so long as Jordan knows I’ve been your friend for 20 years. I know you and what you like. Maybe we could meet up before the hen, and I can fill her in on a few things.”
Abby nodded. “Totally. I’d already thought that.”
“Good.” Delta eyed her. “Is she going to be there on the wedding night when you’re consummating the marriage?”
Abby punched her in the arm. “At least we’d be having sex.” She sucked in a breath. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“You still not doing that?”
Abby shook her head. She held up a navy-blue polka dot bikini from the rack. “What about this one?” She’d heard not having sex in the run-up to the marriage was common. But their slump was more than that. It had been months in the making.
But Marcus was kind.
