Page 124 of The Wedding

“How do you think I ended up in this position? Etta doesn’t have any damned friends who aren’t women she’s slept with.”

She said it so snottily that Jamie choked.Don’t remind me.

“Isn’t there anyone else you could ask?”

“I’m not that close with many women. The other few I’ve asked, like you, can’t for whatever reason. Like already being the best woman, or too pregnant.”

Adele shook her head, still devoid of any stray hairs from her perfect bun. “Who said it had to be a woman? Think about it. Etta’s got a man in her party. Why can’tyouhave a man? Wouldn’t that even things out better than all women on your side?”

Jamie mulled that over for about ten seconds before leaping off her chair and grabbing her bag.

“Jamie?”

“I’ve gotta go. Don’t forget to smack Etta for me!”

Since Jamie didn’t have an appointment, no one was put out when she jetted out of the boutique and hopped into her car. The engine couldn’t start fast enough. Not when she had a damn mission to complete before the end of the workday!

The car horn honked repeatedly, rousing the mechanics and assistants inside the garage. Seena was the first one to look up, bedecked in oily overalls with her curly brown hair up in a messy bun that would make Adele’s prim and proper look scream. When Seena realized it was Jamie pulling into the middle of the parking lot, she smacked her brother on the arm –and Tosh smacked his head against the hood of the car he worked on.

“Let me guess,” Seena said, hands on hips as Jamie stumbled out of her Corvette. “You killed the bitch and think you’re hiding out here. Okay, Tosh, go get the shovel.”

“Seena!” Jamie wasn’t wasting any time. Even the stench of motor oil and burning rubber couldn’t hold her back as she entered the dark, drafty garage with her hands clasping before her. “You! You’ve gotta be my maid of honor!”

“So, you finally realized that I am the superior friend? Let’s bury the bleeding bitch.”

Jamie was on the verge of shaking her before Tosh came over. “Tosh! You gotta be my bridesman!”

“Say what now?” Though tall, Tosh was not exactly the kind of man who towered over Jamie. It was probably that infamous slouch of his. “You’re nuts, right? There’s no such thing as a bridesman.”

“No, you don’t get it. Etta’s having her ex-girlfriend be her best man-woman and so I can totally use a man in my bridal party! It’s perfect! You’re my other best friend, and I need a third!”

“She’s doing what? That’s messed up.”

“Come on, you’ve gotta do it for me!”

“I don’t have to wear a dress, do I?”

His sister, who was a good head shorter than him, grabbed the front of his overalls. “Our friend has been killing herself planning this fucking wedding, and what were you gonna do? Sit around and drink free booze?”

“What else do you do at a wedding?”

“While I gotta do maid of honor bullshit at some fancy billionaire’s wedding? I don’t think so. You’re going down with me. I don’t care if she puts you in a tutu, bro, you’re doing it, and you’re smiling for the bridal photos.”

How could Tosh say no to that? Two women coming down on himfor doing what they perceived to be the bare minimum? He didn’t stand a chance.

“Do I get to wear a fancy suit and keep it? I ain’t gotta pay for it though, right?”

“I’m paying for all the bridal party dresses.” It may not have been customary, but Jamie had to use expensive dresses, and her party was made up of poor people. It was only right she pay for their dresses – or suits, in Tosh’s case. “You ever wear Armani before? Because I bet you a million bucks…”

“Chump change for you now.”

“…That the bridegroom party is going to be decked out in Armani. So, you could match those bigwigs.”

“I guess, man…”

“You guess? Youguess?” Seena jabbed a single finger in her brother’s chest. “If you don’t say yes right now, I’m telling Mom.”

“You wouldn’t!”