Page 22 of Before You Say I Do
Stop it!
She sucked in such a deep breath that her rib cage felt like it was riding up her body and about to strangle her.
She let it out.
Jordan had done her job and lessened Abby’s stress on one level. But she was also proving a distraction. Together or apart. Jordan had started messaging Abby on a regular basis, and her messages always made Abby laugh. They were personal and witty. Did she do that for every bride she worked with? Abby hoped not. Somehow, it was important. Jordan had told her she was different. Not so spoilt. A normal person. Abby enjoyed Jordan’s company. They worked well together. They made a good team.
Just like her and Marcus, obviously.
Abby closed her eyes, choking again as she breathed in the aromas. She was surrounded by calming colours and satin fabrics. It wasn’t Abby’s natural habitat.
Moments later, the shop manager, Lisa, came back with Abby’s latte, along with a tray of shortbread. Did any bride this close to the wedding ever take a biscuit? Abby doubted it.
Lisa was one of those women who believed there was no such thing as too much make-up. Her eyelashes were so thick, it was a miracle she ever managed to pry them open. Abby had nothing but respect for her attention to detail.
Abby took the coffee, just as her phone lit up by her side.
It was a message from Delta.
Abby stiffened. She better not be bailing.
Abby clicked the message. Delta was sorry, but she was working from home today, and also waiting for Nora to collect some things. Nora was late. Delta couldn’t leave until she arrived. She wasn’t going to make it.
Delta was putting Nora over Abby. She wasn’t coming.
Heat rose up through her. Hadn’t they already had this discussion and Delta had sworn she’d fulfil her maid-of-honour duties? She was turning out to be more of a maid of dishonour. After the other night, Abby had thought things would change. Apparently not.
The trouble was, she wasn’t all that surprised. Delta was still hung up on her ex. Hopefully this would at least mean the end of Nora, so Delta would be present for her hen weekend. Get closure.
But that still left today. No Mum. No Delta.
At least she had Jordan.
She just had to put all those inappropriate and frankly irrelevant Jordan-type thoughts out of her head and focus on the job at hand.
Picking a wedding dress.
For her marriage to Marcus.
“Everything okay, madam?” Lisa had clocked her frowny face.
Abby gave her best fake smile. “My maid of honour can’t make today.”
“Oh dear. That is bad news. Is anyone else coming for a second opinion?”
Something dropped into the pit of Abby’s stomach. Fear? Excitement? She wasn’t sure.
Abby chewed the inside of her cheek and glanced at Lisa. “Yes, my other bridesmaid.”
Lisa gave her a relieved smile, and rubbed her hands together. “No problem, then. Between the three of us, we’ll make sure you look beautiful on your big day.”
Abby nodded, uncertainty prickling her skin.
Yes, it wasn’t just Jordan. It was Lisa, too. Much better.
Lisa could act as a buffer between them.
However, one thing Lisa couldn’t do was control Abby’s heart, which was suddenly beating so fast, she’d swear people could hear it on the street outside. Were people running up and down the pavement, wondering where the heavy bassline was coming from? In Abby’s head, it sounded like she was one of those annoying cars who pull up at traffic lights, bassline thumping, shaking the entire road.
