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I take another sip of champagne and let the calming lavender scent wash over me. The excitement permeates the room, and I want to ensure I capture it all for the bride’s memory book. The hotel manor is the perfect place for a wedding. This room is ideal for the bridesmaids to get ready. I snap a photo of the bride’s ankle-strapped white sandals.

“I don’t get tired of saying this. Her cheekbones are everything,” Lauren says.

I follow her gaze to the vanity where the makeup artist is brushing a little highlighter onto Ayla’s cheeks. It waves a rose-gold path over her brown skin like magic flowing from a wizard’s wand.

“Don’t forget her eyes and her mouth. It’s so freaking perfect. She needs to model. That face should be in magazines,” I say louder than I mean to.

Ayla’s eyes fly open, and those brown orbs meet mine, blinking. Her shy smile spreads a little, making her skin glow a darker hue.

“You do look gorgeous, A,” Bron says, pressing her hands together. The half-up, half-down hairstyle Lauren chose for her and Ayla allows her curls to brush over her shoulder. The knot at the top of her head gives it an edgier look.

“Thanks, B,” Ayla replies, smiling at her. “You do too. We have to take lots of pics. Papi can make me a poster-size collage for my wall.”

“I want one too,” my niece tells her.

Lauren and I turn away from them, and she whispers, “Aww,” close to my ear.

“They’re the cutest together. And both look so beautiful.” Lauren lays her hand on my arm.

And they are. They always make me want to post their photos on my Instagram with a hashtag of friendship goals. They’re always so supportive of each other. It’s everything Lauren and Adri had when we were growing up. What I always envied. I never had friends like they are to each other. The people who got close to me were always there for a reason.

I shake the thoughts. Today is not the day for this.

“Speaking of beautiful,” I say to Lauren, “you are that word times a thousand. Your skin is glowing, and your makeup is amazing.”

I’m so glad she decided on this two-day stay at the manor. It allowed her to relax and concentrate on getting ready for the wedding.

She laughs softly. “Haven’t you heard? I’m getting married today.”

“You are, and you look the part. I can’t wait to see you in your dress.”

Her eyes sparkle, and the smile turns enigmatic. Her dress is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, but there’s something about it no one has seen. Not even Adri. She says it’s a surprise for my brother.

“The soft glam makeup was a great choice. Here, let me take some shots. I want to use them for my IG if you’re okay with it.”

She nods. “I’m marrying the love of my life. My forever one and only. I want people to see the photos on Mars if that’s possible.”

I laugh. “I don’t know about Mars, but my twenty million followers—thanks to Mateo’s fuckery—will surely love these.”

Grabbing my phone, I snap pics of Lauren. She plays up for the camera in her big, fluffy white robe. The two-day stay at the venue has gone a long way to ease the bridal nerves. The massages and practice run for the bridesmaids were a great idea.

Winter walks closer to us and lays her daughter down on one of the couches. “This one is down for the count. Thank God.”

“She’s an angel,” Lauren says.

I nod in agreement. Avelyn is such a happy baby.

“Yes,” her mom agrees. “And now we can get the angel’s shoes on, and since she’s napping, she won’t be cranky for her big moment ahead of the bride.”

She winks at Lauren when she says it, but the bride swallows hard and presses one hand over the other.

“I need more champagne.”

Here comes the jitters.

“It’s going to be fine, Lauren,” I tell her.

“I know, but…” She trails off and looks Ayla’s way. “Oh, God. Your shoes are not here yet.”