Page 117 of Make Me Sin (Bad Habit 2)
Kat peers at me with suspicious eyes, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to put a damper on the happiest day of her life. I shove all thoughts of A.J. and my worries about Eric aside. “I’m great! It looks amazing downstairs, I know you’re going to love it.”
My grin must be convincing, because Kat grins back, all suspicion gone. “Really? How does the gazebo look?”
“Like a fairy tale. I even captured a unicorn for you. He’s a little high maintenance, though, so we’re going to release him at the end of the ceremony along with the doves.”
Kat sighs in happiness. “When do I see my bouquet?”
“Trina will bring it up as soon as I text her we’re ready. When does the photographer get here?”
“Forty-five minutes. He’ll shoot the girls first, then get the guys by the lake before the ceremony.”
The guys. My heart starts to beat faster, knowing that in a short while, I’ll be in the same room with A.J., seeing him for the first time since he ripped my heart out with a claw hammer.
My thoughts must show on my face, because Grace insists, “It’ll be fine, Chloe. Kat and I are going to get you through this.”
“I’m good you guys, honestly. Don’t worry about me. Today’s all about you, Kat.”
Behind us, Kenji squeals. The stripper is doing splits in the middle of the floor, and Kenji is standing over him, clapping. I turn back to Kat. “Okay, maybe
it’s not all about you.”
She shakes her head, downs the rest of her champagne, then eyes my bust. “Just out of curiosity, honey, are you sure you’re still going to fit into your dress? You’re looking a little fuller up top.”
I look down at the cleavage swelling from the V neck of my shirt. Though I’m slightly fuller through my tummy, too, I haven’t really started to show. My boobs have gotten a jump start on all other parts of my body.
And, of course, I haven’t tried on my bridesmaid’s gown since the day I bought it.
I mutter, “Shit.” Instantly, Kat and Grace break out into hoots of laughter.
It’s only a matter of seconds before I join them.
An hour later, the stripper sent packing, we’re all set.
Our makeup is perfect. Our hair is flawless. We’re dressed and ready to go. I had a moment’s terror when I zipped up my gown, but fortunately for me I must have lost weight from all the puking before I started to gain it back; the dress still fits. I think it even looks better than before, because now my B-cups are probably closer to a C, and for the first time in my life I have cleavage.
I text Trina to bring up the bouquets. When they arrive and I hand Kat her flowers, she tries valiantly not to cry. Her eyes get all huge and watery, and she looks at me with her lips pulled between her teeth.
“Don’t cry!” I admonish, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “Not yet, anyway, you’re supposed to save that for the vows.”
She sniffles, staring at her bridal bouquet. In a small voice, she says, “It’s so beautiful, Lo. It’s just so beautiful.”
Two photographers hover in the background, snapping pictures. I hear another sniffle from behind me, and turn to see Kenji staring down at his own flower bouquet that Trina’s just handed him. He’s wearing a pair of slim-fit silk pants in the same pale celadon-green as our dresses, but over it he’s got a Saint Laurent couture tunic embroidered with gold peonies. His neck is swathed in a scarf trimmed with peacock feathers dyed a translucent green. On his feet are a pair of beaded gold Moroccan slippers with the curled toes. He looks amazing, like a character from the Wizard of Oz.
“What’s wrong, Kenji?”
He looks up at me. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” he says, then sweeps his arm overhead as if he’s waving farewell to a crowd. “But fuck it. I know one day my prince will come!”
Grace says fondly, “Probably all over your face.”
Jennifer bursts into the room. “Girls! Are we ready? We’ve got to get down to the gazebo now for the photos if we’re going to keep on schedule!”
The four of us look at each other. “Showtime,” I say to Kat.
She takes a deep breath. “Okay. Here we go.”
And we’re off.
Right up until the second I set eyes on A.J., I’m pretty calm.
