Page 1 of The Bridesmaid (Brides of Beaufort 3)

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LAYLA

“It’s a fast wedding, that’s all I’m saying,” my sister said, picking up our coffees from the window and handing me mine. “They just got engaged.”

“Well, they wanted to do it before he left for deployment,” I replied with a shrug.

“But why, though?”

I pushed the door open and held it for her as we stepped onto Main Street, squinting as my eyes adjusted to the bright afternoon sun. “Why not? It’s not like they just met. Will and Aria have loved each other since they were practically kids.”

“Good point. I hate it when that whole insta-love thing happens in books. It’s so … I don’t know. Unrealistic, I guess.”

“You’re one to talk,” I teased, bumping her elbow.

“What are you talking about?”

“Um,hello? Beau?”

Lyndi’s eyes bulged, and she shook her head. “That issonot the same thing.”

“Why not? You met him and instantly fell in love.”

“Correction: I met him and was instantlyattractedto him. Because he’s attractive.”

“I don’t see the difference.”

“Are you kidding? There’s a total difference. I don’t mind instant attraction, but I don’t buy it when the characters meet and instantly know they’ve met the right person. It takes me right out of the book.”

My sister was a total bookworm with a penchant for romance novels, and she equated most things in life to something she’d read. I’d lost count of how many books she’d devoured, but since we were both in our late twenties, it had to be in the thousands by now.

Personally, the last thing I wanted to escape into was a romantic story with a happily ever after. After losing what might have been my one shot at that, I was in no hurry to surround myself with examples of it.

I caught sight of the flower shop down the street and held up a finger as I thought about the sweet couple who owned it. “Ms. Hattie and Thatcher are a cute example of insta-love working out. They said they knew it was love from the first time their eyes met.”

“Yeah, well, there are outliers in everything. But you’re right, their story is really cute. I’d read it.” Lyndi sighed, holding her coffee in both hands as we walked toward Bluffton’s only bridal shop. “So, I wonder what Aria’s going to have us wear.”

“As long as it’s not lime green, I’m good.”

“Well, you pulled that awful dress off better than the other bridesmaids. Must be your dark hair. The poor maid of honor looked like a leprechaun.”

I snorted and shook my head, thinking back to my coworker’s wedding and the way her sister had cried when she’d put on the bright-green dress with her gorgeous red curls. I’d wondered if my coworker had done that on purpose or if she really loved the color so much she didn’t notice how unflattering it was on most of her bridal party.

“I liked the soft gold we wore in Shelby’s wedding,” I said. “But for some reason I see Aria choosing something darker.”

“You think?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why, but I’m picturing royal blue or deep purple.”

“Royal blue would be gorgeous. Especially if the guys wear their dress blues.”

“Yep.” I swallowed and nodded, annoyed by the image that popped into my mind of a certain Marine from my past. One that I’d like to forget. Unfortunately, once the image of Zac in his dress blues entered my mind, it was hard to get rid of it.

“I bet you’re right, though,” Lyndi continued. “You’re the expert in these things. How many weddings have you been in lately?”

“Six. This will be the seventh.”

“It’s like there’s something in the water.”