Page 117 of Everything After

I’d always thought few brides carried off the poofy ballgown choice of wedding dress, but Holly’s simple, ivory, taffeta bodice ball gown was perfect for her statuesque frame. Like us, her hair was in a half-up, half-down hairstyle donned with flowers instead of a veil and an exquisite choker or collar of diamondswith one larger, central piece of amber that completed the look perfectly.

For the first time in years, I saw something in Holly that I’d forgotten her capable of—anxiety. The moment I recognized this, I rushed forward and took her hands. “You left me speechless when you appeared through those doors,” I admitted. “I’ve never seen such a perfect bride. The choices you’ve made with your dress, our dresses, the flowers, the way you’ve styled us—you’ve thought of everything.”

“I guess I look alright,” she drawled, rolled her eyes and tipped her head from side-to-side, like she was debating if she’d believe me.

Everyone laughed and the moment they did, Holly’s nerves left her. “So, am I doing this?”

“Do you want to?” I said in jest, like I’d needed to ask her at all. Holly was head over heels in love with Brett.

“Brett’s going to faint when he sees you,” I suggested, smiling.

“Hope not, that dazed look on him won’t do much for the pictures, and I’ve set my heart on one taking the place of pride over Daddy’s fireplace.” Everyone giggled.

“Wait until your dad sees you, he’s going to flip,” Saffy said, smiling. She stepped forward and gave Holly a one-sided hug so as not to crush her dress.

A knock on the door drew our collective attention to it. The wedding planner, Julia, came bustling into the room. “We’re all set downstairs in the ceremony room.” I glanced past her and saw Holly’s father standing behind her.

“Okay, everyone. Let’s gather downstairs in the hallway and get ready to walk down the aisle,” I instructed, taking charge.

As we walked down the stairs, Alfie trotted half-way up to meet me. “Baby, you look stunning,” he praised, leaning in to press a kiss on my cheek. “And you smell better than you look,” he added, smiling. Taking my hand, he guided me down the rest of the stairs.

It suddenly dawned on me why he was there. He wasn’t just hanging around to see me in my dress. My guess was that he was likely worried that I may have fallen down the stairs while wearing the floor length gown.

Guiding me to the bottom, he stepped back and shook his head as he took me in again.

“Damn, baby. You look good enough to eat… and I’ve never smelled anything so delicious.”

“Alfie,” I hissed, signaling with my eyes toward the other bridesmaids beside me.

“What? I can’t tell my wife that I could eat her right now?” All the other women chuckled.

“This is not the time for you to try to embarrass me, Alfie,” I admonished, scowling.

He glanced at the expensive Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. “What timeshouldI do that?”

“You’re not funny.”

“Just as well I didn’t try for a career as a comedian then, isn’t it?”

I growled. “Go in there and sit down,” I ordered, nodding toward the doors of the room where the ceremony was to take place.

“Or? You’ll spank me?” he teased, wagging his eyebrows. A chuckle left my throat, and I shook my head. “See, you’re not really mad at me, are you? I really want to kiss you right now, but that lipstick you’re wearing looks lethal.”

“Good.” I glanced upstairs. “Go inside. Holly will be coming in a minute.”

“Lucky Holly,” he replied, sounding amused. All the other bridesmaids laughed.

“You won’t be coming for months if you don’t get your arse in that room before Holly shows up,” I warned.

“Alright, I’m going,” he said, through a chuckle. “By the way, did I ever tell you that half-pissed, half-amused look you have in your eyes is one of the most adorable things about you?”

“Aw, swoon,” one of the bridesmaids blurted.

I chuckled. “Yeah, but I know him better than you. He’s trying to butter me up in case I carry out my previous threat that he won’t get laid unless he does what I ask.”

“Emotional blackmail, that’s what that was, and you’re all my witnesses.”

“They’ll be witnesses to murder if you don’t get your arse back in there,” I said, nodding at the ceremony room door again.