Page 116 of Everything After

Once I had my bridesmaid’s dress on, Layla left the room to pick up my bridesmaid’s bouquet, while a hairstylist quicklystyled my half-up, half-down hairdo, by weaving a ribbon of daisies and gypsophila flowers through my long hair.

“There, don’t you look splendid,” she gushed, admiring me and her work. She had just finished when Layla came back with my flowers, which were a pretty bunch of bright yellow roses, white freesias and daisies—to match the ones in my hair.

“Lily,” Layla said in a gruff, emotional tone. She clutched her chest with one hand while her eyes perused me. “You look exquisite, honey.”

I turned, glanced at myself in the full-length mirror, swishing my dress left and right. Relief ran through me when I saw that Holly was right about the style of the dress being able to hide my pregnancy. I wanted nothing to distract from Holly’s big day.

Alfie and I had already agreed we’d announce the news to the press once the wedding was over.

“I love it,” I admitted, checking myself out in the mirror again.

Layla grinned. “I’d hug you, but knowing how clumsy I am, I’d likely rip that delicate dress.”

“No need, I know you love me,” I joked as I took another look at myself. As I did this, Layla held a large, black velvet box out for me.

“What’s this?”

“A bridesmaid gift from Holly and Brett. All the bridesmaids have one.”

“Would you open it for me. I can’t do much with these,” I said, holding up my long, manicured nails. “I’m not used to having pretty hands.”

Layla laughed as she cracked open the hinge and we both gasped in unison at the incredible jewels inside.

“Jesus, are these real?” she asked, staring at the amber and brilliant, white diamond necklace, earrings and tennis bracelet set shining up from the bed of black velvet.

“Costume jewelry,” I suggested. Over the years Alfie had bought me many extravagant jewelry gifts, but nothing as bold and ornate as the ones in front of me.

“Really? Layla mused.

“Nah, I was joking, of course they’re real. God, they must have cost a fortune. They can’t be a gift, something like this must be on loan for the occasion?” I suggested.

“Nope, Holly said ‘gift’. Come on, let’s put them on.” Layla put the box down and lifted the tennis bracelet out, undid the clasp and fastened it onto my wrist.

I took a moment to examine the bracelet again. “Those people have more money than sense if this really is a gift,” I muttered.

“Enjoy it, her daddy has more money than he knows what to do with,” she reminded me.

“That’s true, but still…”

“Still nothing. Don’t procrastinate over something nice someone did for you, and turn around so that I can get this necklace in place.”

Doing as she asked, I let her fasten the clasp on the necklace she’d placed around my neck and turned once again to examine it all in the mirror.

Layla was right. I did look good… better than good, and the jewelry made the dress I wore look even prettier.

“That outfit should come with a warning,” she muttered. “Someone’s going to need to restrain Alfie before you walk down that aisle.”

I laughed, then studied myself in the mirror. “No one would ever suspect I’m pregnant in this dress,” I said, confirming what Holly and Charlotte had told me weeks before.

“Here, grab the flowers and let’s go see Holly and the other bridesmaids,” Layla prompted then opened the hotel room door.

Having stepped away to dress, when I re-entered the bridal suite where everyone was, there was an electric energy, full of anticipation. “Holly was waiting for you to get back before she’d let us see her,” Saffy informed me, touching my forearm.

My heart ached in sadness because at one time we’d have both hugged out our excitement while we waited for our friend. But those days were gone and we were barely on speaking terms—even after the meeting we’d had.

Thankfully, I didn’t get long to dwell on that fact as the double doors opened from the bedroom to the living area of the suite and Holly stood in the doorway. She looked perfect, angelic and she was the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen. I’d thought at one time nothing could have topped how Elle looked when she’d married Drew, but Holly’s elegant appearance was on another level of sophistication.

For a few seconds all of us stood in silence taking her in, feasting on the beauty and grace that was part of who our friend Holly was. I broke the silence. “Wow,” I remarked, shaking my head, lost for words as to how to compliment her because beautiful, gorgeous or whatever other adjective I’d thought of didn’t do justice to the vision before me.