Page 40 of My Ex-Best Men (Ex Marks the Spot #4)

***Claire***

I was late for the dress fitting. I’d fallen asleep on the beach and Anthony had carried me back but hadn’t known to wake me up.

I hadn’t had time to shower so I was racing across the island on foot, holding my dress in its protective bag over my head, still covered in sand. Oh, the places the sand was rubbing…

When I finally burst through the front door of the dress shop, every head turned and I wondered if it was possible to die from humiliation. I apologized as I walked to the back of the shop and found Sophia with her bridesmaids, all sitting while Madeline modeled her dress in front of them.

“Claire!” Sophia’s mouth fell open when she saw me and then she fake gagged. “If you were just with my brother, I don’t want to hear a single thing. Oh, god.”

I had to be the shade of raw beef. “And if I wasn’t with Will?”

“Then you’re a bit of a whore.” Madeline laughed easily when I gasped. “I’m kidding! Relax!”

Sophia frowned and looked like she was ready to say something but I cut her off. I didn’t want her to have to deal with any ugliness on her wedding week. I’d already caused enough trouble.

“Anthony. I fell asleep on the beach and now here I am. I’m so sorry I’m late.

I didn’t miss you trying on your dress, did I?

” I handed my dress off to an older woman who looked at me with concern written all over her face.

I winced but forced a smile at her. “This is what happens when you move away from the beach and then come back to it. I was just rolling around in the sand… Remembering it… You know?”

Sophia cackled and waved the woman away. “Oh, my god, C. I love you so much. Especially now that I know this was Anthony and not my brother. Thinking of Anthony doing dirty things to you in the sand is not bad at all. It’s kind of nice, actually…”

Lizzie fanned herself. “I agree.”

I somehow blushed even deeper. “We are not having this conversation.”

“He’s a big guy…” Katelyn giggled. “All over?”

They all fell out laughing, everyone except Madeline. Her eyes burned through me like I was the devil and she was going to take out all evil with just one gaze. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes before looking away from me.

I felt appropriately judged but it was hard to sink into that feeling with the rest of the women around me giddily gossiping about the men they were hooking up with and if they compared to Anthony.

I didn’t say that I would’ve bet my life that none of their men compared to Anthony. That felt unnecessarily rude.

“Ladies? It’s time for the maid of honor and then the bride.” The older woman was back. “I’m aware that you had your dress altered elsewhere, dear. Let’s see how they did.”

I hesitated. “I’m just going to go outside and shake off real fast. I don’t want to get sand all over the dress.”

“Sure, dear…”

I shot Soph a wide-eyed look and rushed outside.

I cleaned up as much as I could and then let the woman assist me in getting into the dress.

It zipped up just as easily as I remembered and a quick tongue click and a nod from the older woman told me the dress was good.

I walked out of the dressing area and posed in front of the women with a wide smile on my face.

“Wearing the dress makes it feel so real. Soph, I’m so happy for you. If this is how I react when I put on my dress, I’m going to need therapy after I see you in yours.” I fanned my face and laughed. “You’re getting married!”

She clapped her hands and hurried over to hug me tight. “I’m getting married!”

“Does it need to be let out a little in the middle?” Madeline’s cool voice broke the moment and I looked up to see her staring at my stomach with her nose scrunched. “It looks a little…tight.”

Ouch. I cleared my throat but I didn’t get a chance to defend myself before Sophia did.

“It’s perfect. It fits her like a glove.” She spun me around and smiled. “You’re beautiful, Claire.”

“I don’t mean it in a rude way.” Madeline put on her sticky sweet voice. “I’m so sorry if you took that wrong, Claire. I just want to make sure Soph’s wedding pictures are perfect. I already had to hire extra makeup artists since half of the wedding party have black eyes.”

Double ouch. “I’ll cover the cost of that, of course. Since most of those incidents were my fault.”

Fiona, sporting double black eyes, scoffed. “No way. I earned these babies and I won’t let you take credit for them.”

“She’s right, C. You didn’t cause anything. Stop beating yourself up.” Sophia looked at the older woman. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”

Despite looking like she didn’t want to agree, the woman nodded. “The seam work is adequate.”

“Maybe you could just eat a little less in the next few days then? It could just be bloating.” Madeline wasn’t going to let me go without getting a few more hits in. “Anyway. Let’s get to the real show. Get into your dress, Soph!”

“Madeline,-”

I cut Sophia off. “She’s right about getting to the real show. Come back and help me get undressed so we can get you into your dress. I’m ready for an ugly cry.”

“Not in the photos, though.” Madeline smirked at me and shrugged. “Sophia is just so beautiful. I want her photos to reflect that.”

I pulled Sophia into the dressing area with me and shook my head. “Whatever you’re thinking, just let it go.”

She scowled. “I’m going to talk to her. I don’t know what her issue is, but she can’t talk to you like that.”

I sighed. “I think she has a thing for Will. And if that’s the case, I understand her not liking me. I don’t appreciate it, but I understand it. No matter what, though, she planned your wedding, Soph. I don’t want to upset her and have her go nutty on the wedding plans.”

“I don’t give a shit about the wedding plans, Claire. You’re my best friend and I’m not going to allow her to talk to you like that. I’m going to talk to her. If she can’t get her attitude in check, she can go.” Shaking her head, Sophia looked so upset that I hated myself a bit in that moment.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to cause any trouble this week and I’ve caused a lot.

I haven’t been the best maid of honor. Please, just let this go with Madeline.

At least until after the wedding. You’re trying on your dress today and you’re upset.

You shouldn’t be upset, Soph. So, let’s just put this behind us and focus on the fact that you’re getting married to the man you love and I’m going to be at your side for it. ”

She sighed. “We need to talk about the way you treat yourself.”

“Soph.”

“Fine! Fine. I won’t say anything right now.” She shook out her hands and blew out a breath. “Get me in this giant dress already.”