Page 73 of The Love Hoax

Ihear crying through the door.

I tap lightly. “Steph?”

When there’s no answer, I crack open the door. “Can I come in?”

Steph sits there, staring at her reflection. Her wedding veil sits askew atop her head. Her cheeks are damp. Her tough veneer is gone.

“Oh, honey,” I say, coming up behind her. “Don’t cry.”

Steph speaks into the mirror. “I’ve dreamed of wearing this veil since I was a kid. It was my grandmother’s. Same one whose ring you are wearing.”

I adjust the veil, spreading out the organza. “You’ll be wearing this tomorrow at your wedding.”

Steph shakes her head. “I’m so embarrassed. Everyone saw us fighting.”

“Couples do thatsometimes.”

“At their wedding weekend?”

“Sure. Weddings are wonderful but also high-stress events.”

Her squinting eyes tell me she’s skeptical.

“Brad is madly in love with you.”

“You wouldn’t know it after that fight.”

I tilt my head. “Do you really doubt he loves you?”

Steph shakes her head. “No but I screwed up, big time. He asked me not to bring my FBI classmates but I didn’t listen. I guess they got overzealous. Now Brad’s entire family hates me.”

“When I left, Brad’s grandfather was laughing at something Adam said.”

Steph looks at me, hopeful. “He was?”

I nod. “It’s all going to be just fine. Your wedding will be amazing. Let’s go back to the party. I really want to hear what the other thing was that you wanted your husband to have.”

Steph smiles. “Adam is not going to tell that story.”

“Oh yes, he is.”

We laugh together.

Steph dabs at her eyes. “Now I have to redo my makeup.”

“You only need a touch-up. Let me help.” I swivel Steph’s chair around to face me and get to work.

When we’re done, Steph is calmer. “Thank you, Ronna. This might be hard to imagine but I don’t have a lot of girlfriends. My bridesmaids are more acquaintances who agreed to step up than close friends.”

“That’s because you’re a strong, outspoken woman.”

“Intimidating.”

I smile. “Sure, that too. Not everyone can appreciate you. But that’s exactly what makes you so special.”

Steph smiles, genuinely. “You know something? You would make a great mom.”

I flush. “Thanks.”