Page 5

Chapter Four

When Harper returned at eleven, along with Jamie, Jeanette Bilson, and Megan Farris, I was ready to go and determined not to get bogged down by unrelated problems on my wedding day. Andrew and I would have a lifetime to talk about everything and everyone in our lives—past, present, and future. And once Jeanette and Megan started going over my schedule for the day, I doubted there would be time to think at all.

While Jeanette would be acting as my day-of-wedding coordinator, Megan would be focused on directing the media team, which included two photographers, a videographer, and a social media expert, who would be posting throughout the day, beginning with the getting ready shots, to the first look, the actual wedding ceremony, and finally the reception.

Jeanette and Megan were both high-energy, driven women who were incredibly organized and determined to showcase their talents through a series of events that would be under the scrutiny of Victor, Bennett, and, even to some degree, Paula. While Paula didn't work in the company, her opinion might still matter to her husband and her son. And Bennett technically oversaw Megan's division, so she would definitely want to impress him.

I also wanted everything to go well and to do my part to the best of my ability. Because at the end of this, I still had a job I wanted to do well and a company I wanted to grow with.

As soon as Jeanette and Megan finished with the rundown, Taylor Castle and Carrie Ridgway arrived to set up for hair and makeup. Taylor and Carrie would be running the resort salon once it opened, but today they were responsible for making me and my bridesmaids look as good as possible.

"I think that's it for now," Jeanette said, drawing my attention back to her. "I've also scheduled room service to deliver healthy snacks and drinks for you and your bridal party. They should be arriving shortly."

"You've thought of everything," I said. "I really appreciate all the work you're both doing for me."

"This day will be perfect," Jeanette said. "You can count on that. If you have any questions, please contact me." She glanced at Megan, who had brought a photographer into the room and was discussing what photos should be taken. "Megan, do you need me for anything else right now? I need to talk to the banquet manager and the ceremony staging crew."

"I'm good," Megan replied. When Jeanette left, she turned back to me. "I'm going to the villa now to talk to Andrew and his groomsmen. My media crew will be back to take some photos at different points during the day. I've given them keycards so they can come and go. Do you have any questions, Lauren?"

"Not at the moment."

"Okay then. I can't stress enough how important all of this is. I know it's your wedding day, but the Carringtons have sunk a huge amount of money into this marketing campaign, and it has to work."

"I understand."

"I hope you do. The company has suffered some financial losses with the hotel fire in Newport, and also the storm damage at our properties in Florida. Victor wants everyone to see this new resort as our emergence from those issues, the new crown jewel in our collection. And there's a lot of pressure on the marketing team coming from him and also from Bennett, who has suddenly decided to actually work and doesn't seem to understand that the rest of us have been working all along."

I heard the irritation in her voice, and I knew it bothered her to report to Bennett, who knew next to nothing about the business and was only a vice president because he was Victor's son. "Do you think Bennett's interest will continue after this week?"

"Yes. I think he wants to take over the company, but Victor doesn't have a lot of respect for Bennett, so there's friction. But there's also blood. I'm sure Bennett will get everything at some point. It is a family business we work for."

"That's true."

"We just have to make sure Bennett doesn't mess anything up. He seems to be focused on new media—influencers and travel vloggers, so that should be an area he can't do too much damage in. Anyway, we have to accommodate him, even if some of his ideas are stupid. Don't tell him I said that."

"I'm on your team. I've got your back."

"Thanks," she said with a smile. "I'm trying to have your back, too, Lauren, but this wedding has taken on a life of its own. While I know you would like to keep parts of it personal and intimate, there's a lot at stake. This is a huge investment for the company, and it has to work."

"I understand."

"Good. I'll see you later."

As soon as Megan left, the temperature in the room warmed, and the atmosphere turned more fun as Harper put on some music, and we started talking about hair and makeup. The bridesmaids went first, which was fine with me. It was fun watching their makeovers. Around noon, room service arrived with bottles of champagne, sparkling water, and iced tea, as well as a magnificent charcuterie platter, fresh fruit, and tea sandwiches.

Harper decided we needed to open at least one bottle of champagne to really get the party started and after filling our glasses, she said, "To you, Lauren. May today be the first of many fantastic and wonderful days ahead for you and Andrew. Jamie and I truly wish you only the best. You deserve that."

"Thank you," I said, seeing my friends for who I'd always thought they were before things had started to get muddled with wedding and marketing plans.

"Cheers," Jamie said as we clinked our glasses together.

"We'll be doing this for you soon," I told her.

She immediately shook her head. "Today is only about you, Lauren. I'll have my turn."

"And hopefully someday so will I," Harper said. "I think Andrew's groomsmen are kind of cute, especially Colin. Is he single?"

"As far as I know." I was reminded once again that I knew very little about anyone in Andrew's life.

"Interesting," Harper murmured, moving back into the makeup chair.

Once Harper and Jamie were done with hair and makeup, they were given manicures while my shoulder-length, dark-brown hair was swept up into soft tousled waves, strategically pulled back with sparkling embellished pins. My makeup turned me into someone I barely recognized, hiding the pesky freckles that often showed up on my nose, adding color to my lips, and the perfect shadow to my blue eyes, which were the one thing I'd inherited from my mother.

Shortly before two, the photographers arrived: Elisa Jacobs, an older woman with a lot of experience in wedding photography, her assistant, Tony Marino, who was also apparently her nephew, and a videographer, Owen Webb, who was in his thirties and came with more of a marketing-focused background.

Elisa directed the shoot, based on a list Megan had given her, starting with Harper and Jamie helping me get into my dress and adjusting my train and veil. I felt a little awkward changing in front of Tony and Owen, but they seemed completely dispassionate about anything except getting the right shots, and I didn't have time to care about modesty. Elisa never seemed particularly happy with my poses. I tried to be the best model I could be, but I was clearly falling short as they continued to shoot until my face was cramped from all the smiling.

Finally, after a stressful hour, we were done, and the team moved out of the suite and headed down to the villa to shoot Andrew and his groomsmen. Taylor and Carrie also disappeared, saying they'd be back to do touch-ups in an hour. Once it was just Harper, Jamie, and me, I slipped out of my dress so I could sit down without worrying about wrinkling my dress or spilling something on it. I put on the luxuriously soft hotel robe, feeling happy to have a few minutes before we had to do it all again.

"You're doing great," Jamie told me, giving me an encouraging smile, as she handed me another glass of champagne. "Maybe try to relax a little more. This is supposed to be fun."

"I'm trying," I muttered, taking a small sip of champagne. I'd lost count of how many glasses I'd started, and I didn't want to be drunk at my wedding, although maybe then I'd finally look relaxed.

"Have you heard from Andrew today?" Jamie asked.

"He texted me earlier to tell me he loves me, and he can't wait to be married." He'd also texted me with Allison's entrée choice, which I'd done nothing about since that whole fabrication had been a lie. I still felt stupid for having called her on the day of my wedding.

"Andrew is a good guy," Jamie said with a nod. "He always seems to know how you're feeling. When we've been out together, I've noticed how attentive he is. He's very aware of your mood, whether you're hot or cold, tired or happy, having no fun or too much fun."

"He takes good care of me. He knows I can be an introvert and a little shy, and he tries to make things easier."

"He almost seems too good to be true," Harper said.

"Don't start with the doubts," I warned, wagging my finger at her.

"I wasn't going to," she said quickly.

I wasn't sure I believed her, but I let it go, and when a knock came at our door, Harper got up to answer it.

The woman she let in was the last person I'd expected to see. I jumped to my feet as Paula Carrington walked into the room. In her early sixties, Paula was bone-thin with very fair skin that had aged from her long love affair with tanning. Her white-blonde hair was styled in a short, angled cut, with straight silky strands framing her face and accenting her brown eyes. Paula had been a model in her twenties and still carried herself like someone who was used to a catwalk and a lot of attention.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Paula said as we all stood somewhat awkwardly in the living room.

"Of course not. It's lovely to see you," I replied. "I really appreciate you coming to the wedding."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. This wedding and marketing campaign have consumed my husband's thoughts over the past several weeks. I've never seen him so invested in the grand opening of our resorts. But he became quite captivated with your fairy-tale love story."

"It doesn't feel like a story to me," I couldn't help saying. "It's very real."

"Oh, of course, I understand. People outside of a relationship always see it differently than those inside it."

There was a tension in her voice now that suggested she was not talking about my relationship but probably her own. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked.

"I wanted to speak to you for a moment…privately." Her gaze moved to Harper and Jamie.

"Of course," Harper said quickly. "We're going to go in the other room, and…do something."

As they quickly vanished, I felt a little nervous being alone with Paula. I couldn't imagine what she wanted to talk to me about, since the two of us had never had a personal conversation. And I'd probably only been in the same room with her twice before.

"I understand your mother passed away not too long ago," Paula said, surprising me with her words.

"Yes, she did. It's been about a year and a half, and I still miss her every day."

"I lost my mother when I was in my thirties, so I understand a little of what you're going through. But I had Victor's support when she passed. We were already married and had a baby, so I wasn't alone as you were. This day must be especially difficult for you."

"I've been trying not to think about it too much, but then I feel guilty."

"Why?" she asked curiously.

"Because I shouldn't be trying to keep her out of my thoughts. It's the only way she can be here with me, and we used to talk about me getting married. When she was sick, she worried about me being alone and finding the right person. I just wish she could see that I have."

"Maybe she can. I still like to believe my mother and father are watching over me."

"I like to believe that, too." I felt an unexpected bond with Paula.

"Did I hear that your mother worked in hotels as well?"

"Yes. She was at Hilton and then the Meridian for many years."

"You followed in her footsteps."

"She didn't want me to go into this industry. She worked the front desk and a lot of nights, a lot of weekends, but I grew up in hotels and I feel very comfortable in them."

"Well, from what I hear, we are lucky to have you. This whole marketing campaign was your idea, right?"

"The idea was mine originally, but at the time, I did not imagine that there would be a real wedding or that I would be the bride. I feel very lucky and grateful for everything your family and the company are doing for me. And I love this new resort. It's a beautiful property, truly special."

"That's certainly what Victor seems to think. He'd like to make this island our primary residence, but it feels too small to me."

A somewhat awkward silence followed her words. Finally, I said, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"It's actually the opposite—what I can do for you." Paula opened her very expensive handbag. She took out a velvet box and handed it to me.

"What's this?"

"Take a look."

I opened the lid and pulled out a stunning gold necklace with a teardrop diamond. "Oh, wow! This is beautiful."

"It's for you to wear today if you're comfortable with it. Consider it your something borrowed."

"I don't know what to say. I've never worn anything as nice as this."

"May I help you put it on?"

I nodded, turning around as she fixed the clasp. And then I walked over to the mirror, shocked again by how beautiful it was, simple yet elegant. "It's perfect."

"Well, that's what this is all about, isn't it? Perfection? That's what Victor keeps telling me, that this resort will embody perfection in every way, especially for potential brides and grooms. This will be the ultimate in destination wedding locations. And you are our first bride, so you must look the part."

I turned away from the mirror, beginning to once again feel like an imposter in my own life.

"It looks good on you." Paula gave an approving nod as we faced each other. But the moisture in her eyes didn't match that approval.

"Is everything all right?" I asked as she dabbed at her eyes with her fingers.

"I was thinking about my wedding, how excited and optimistic I felt. Victor's mother put that necklace on me, and I also thought it was perfect. So perfect, but perfection is really just an illusion…" Her voice faded away. Then she immediately straightened and shook off whatever emotion had her in its grip. "Anyway, Victor said you needed a special piece of jewelry for the wedding photos, and he thought this might be the best choice, so I offered to lend it to you for the evening."

"It's very generous, but it feels like it's too much."

"Don't be ridiculous. Nothing is too much, not when it's representing my family."

"Then I'm honored to wear it. Thank you. I'll return it right after the ceremony."

"Tomorrow is fine. I hope you'll be very happy in your marriage, Lauren. I'll let you get back to your friends, and I'll see you at the wedding."

I walked her to the door. "Thank you again."

She paused once more as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end, she simply smiled and left.

As I closed the door, Harper and Jamie came out of the bedroom with questions in their eyes.

"What was that about?" Harper asked. "And what is that around your neck?"

"Mrs. Carrington is letting me wear one of her necklaces. In fact, it's the one she wore at her wedding."

"It's gorgeous," Jamie breathed as they both moved in to take a closer look. "This must be worth a lot of money."

"They thought I needed to wear a signature piece of jewelry for the photos."

"You're quite the Cinderella, aren't you?" Harper asked, a bitter edge to her voice. "I hope everything won't turn back to ashes at the stroke of midnight."

"This is all about the campaign; it's not about me. I'm representing the Carringtons. They probably thought any jewelry I would wear would look cheap, which it would, compared to this."

"It will go perfectly with your dress, which probably also cost a fortune," Jamie said, a wistful note in her voice. "And the necklace can be your something borrowed."

"That's what Mrs. Carrington said."

"And your something old," Jamie added. "It looks vintage."

"It belonged to her mother-in-law."

"Well, you still need something blue," Harper commented. "Is there a sapphire coming your way, too?"

"No. And remember how you told me you were going to be supportive? That's not happening right now, Harper."

"Sorry. What's your something blue?"

"The blue forget-me-nots in my bridal bouquet. They remind me of my mom. They were her favorite flower, and she always said they matched my eyes."

"That's sweet," Jamie said. "You better get your dress back on. The next round of photos starts in twenty minutes." She paused. "I know it's better to take all these photos before the wedding, but does it bother you that Andrew will see you in your dress before the ceremony? I hope it's not bad luck."

"Are you kidding?" Harper interjected. "Lauren cannot have any bad luck. The Carringtons wouldn't allow it."

An uneasy feeling shot down my spine…not only because of her snide remark, but also because everything was feeling too good to be true.