Page 55 of Make Me Swoon

“There you are! What are you doing standing around? Go get dressed,” my mom yells at me as she stomps past me.

I wave goodbye to Ruby, heading up the stairs and into one of the guest rooms where everyone is getting ready.

The king-size bed has been pushed against the far wall so that there’s more room for everyone. Garment bags and bobby pins are scattered all over the place and I tiptoe around pairs of high heels as I make my way to the closet where my dress is hanging.

Heidi chose pastel colors for her wedding and I pull out the pastel purple dress. It’s just as poofy as the one I was forced to wear last night and I bite back a groan as I pull it off the hanger and head into the bathroom.

The next five hours are like my own personal hell.

I pose for pictures.

I run around in high heels doing my mother and stepsister’s bidding.

I don’t eat.

That last one might be the worst of all.

By the time we make it to the ceremony, I’m dizzy and light-headed with hunger. I wobble in my heels, clinging tighter to the groomsmen that I’m walking down the aisle with so that I don’t stumble.

That move appears to be a mistake because he starts walking closer to me.

“I can’t wait to see what’s under this dress,” he whispers in my ear, and I try not to grimace at his words or the way his breath fans over my skin.

Luckily for me, it’s time for us to part and stand on opposite sides of the altar. It doesn’t stop him from checking me out and I shiver.

The music changes and the doors open for Heidi and Fred to make their entrance. Heidi looks beautiful and I can’t help but look between her and her fiancé, Trevor.

The love and happiness that I expected to see there is missing. Don’t get me wrong, they’re both smiling, but it doesn’t reach their eyes.

For the first time in my life, I picture my wedding.

I wouldn’t want something as big as this one. Just a small, intimate gathering with close friends and family. Maybe I’d have the ceremony on the beach or by the waterfall.

I’m startled when I realize that I’m imagining marrying Hudson in Destiny Falls. I knew that I was in love with him, but I never thought about marrying him.

The ceremony starts and I see my mom glaring at me. She stretches her mouth into a smile, or what appears to be a smile. It looks forced and more like a grimace, but I get the message.

I paste a smile on my face, conscious of the cameras clicking around the room and of the people watching us.

The ceremony drags on and by the time they kiss and are announced as husband and wife, my cheeks hurt from smiling for so long. I loop my arm through the creepy groomsman’s and let him lead me back down the aisle and outside.

The sun is starting to set and I’m hoping that we can head over to the reception and I can grab a few appetizers to eat before I pass out from hunger.

No such luck though.

“Picture time!” Ruby says, trying to infuse her voice with energy.

She looks like she’s aged five years in the last few hours and I give her a sympathetic smile as I pass her and go to take my spot for the first round of pictures.

“Smile,” my mom says, elbowing me as she stands between me and Heidi.

I do as I’m told, counting down the seconds until I can head to the reception and get some food.

“Time for your entrance!” Ruby calls and I’m the first one to line up to head inside.

Me and my groomsman, Ryan, lead the way inside and up to the wedding party table. I take my seat, smacking his hand away when he tries to grope my leg.

Heidi and Trevor come in and I applaud along with everyone else. They grin and wave as they head up to their spot at the center of the table, and I almost cry when the first round of food is brought out not long after they sit down.

---