Without a Hitch(16)

“And since we all signed a similar disclosure, granting Jenna and Tyler permission to post, share, and publish our involvement in the wedding, you included, your behavior is fodder for a lot of stories.”

Jesus. Did they really? Rich people are nuts!

Olivia pales but says nothing.

“So, this is what you’re going to do,” I say. She turns a hate-filled glare my way, but I don’t back down. “You’re going to go to your room and get ready. You will follow whatever guidelines Jenna requested for hair and makeup. You’ll do it with a smile on your face and without uttering a single word. Then you’ll meet us in the ballroom ten minutes before the ceremony starts, and not a second before. I will start the media blast if I even catch a whiff of you trying to cause trouble. Do I make myself clear?”

Holy geez! Who the heck am I? If I could high-five myself right now, I totally would.

“Who are you?” she hisses.

That’s a great question. I’m miles away from my comfort zone, and my insides are trembling from nerves. The only explanation I can come up with for my behavior is that my love for weddings outweighs my instinct to hide. “Just call me a baddie bridal wrangler.”

Jenna chokes on something behind me, but Olivia storms off, slamming the door on her way.

“The baddie bridal wrangler?” Melinda gasps through a fit of full-body laughter. “Where did you come from?”

A wretched flush heats my cheeks, and I’m sure the embarrassment is clear even through my darker complexion. Freaking Delaney.

“No, Tilly, no,” Jenna jumps in when she sees my expression. “We’re in awe. No need to be embarrassed. You’re amazing. Seriously.”

“Do we think Jacob will make an appearance today?” Audra, another bridesmaid, asks. She’s the sweet one who has been following Jenna around, trying to keep her calm.

Scanning the room, I realize each bridesmaid has a function. This will make a fantastic blog post.

“Probably.” Melinda groans. “He has FOMO worse than any teenage girl.”

“Okay, well, it’ll be fine. I’ll stay on top of everything. Plus, Liability Liv said she won’t stay for the reception anyway, right?” I ask.

Peals of laughter fill the room. “Do you give everyone nicknames?”

Do I? I stop and think about it. “Hmm. I guess if I have a strong enough reaction to them, I do.”

“Priceless. But what are we going to do about this dress?” Melinda’s tone is stressed.

Taking it from her, I scan the material. I haven’t sewn anything since high school when I helped make my sister Sloane’s graduation dress, but I think I can do something with this. “Okay, Audra? I need you to go to the front desk and get a needle and as much navy thread as they’ll give you.”

“On it,” she chirps like the happy little bird she is.

“Jenna? How would you feel about your maid of honor having a slightly different dress than the rest of us?”

“You sew too?” Her eyes light up like the Fourth of July.

“Not in a long time, but I can fix this.” I hope. “She cut right up the seam, so we can give Melinda a sexy little slit up her left leg. Well, it won’t actually be little. You’re going to show a lot of leg.” I look over my shoulder and see the two sisters grin at each other.

“Olivia will hate that.” Jenna giggles. “I think it’s perfect. Can you do it in time?”

“Yup. You ladies get ready. I can do my own hair and makeup if I need to. No one will be looking at me, anyway. I promise. Your wedding will be perfect.”

“OH, my gosh, Til—ah, I mean Abby. How did you pull this off?”

I watch with a satisfied smile as Melinda twirls in the mirror. We’re doing final dress, hair, and makeup checks in the bridal suite adjacent to the ballroom where the ceremony and reception will take place.

“A side effect of growing up with nothing,” I reply. “You learn to be very resourceful.”

“Honest to God. Best money spent for this entire wedding is Abby Chambers.” The grin hasn’t left Jenna’s face since I booted Olivia from the room.

“Well, I appreciate that, but you should prepare yourself. Olivia will be here any minute.”

A collective groan escapes from the entire bridal party.

Michelle, the wedding planner, pokes her head in the door. “Five minutes, ladies.”

The women squeal with excitement. It makes me sad that Olivia has been ruining this for them. It also makes me miss my sisters and friends. I’ve loved all the places I get to travel to, but I’m away more than I’m home these days.

“Excuse me,” sniffs that snotty voice that could make your ears bleed.

Olivia stands just behind Michelle with her arms crossed.

“Am I not allowed to enter?”

Geez, she sounds like a rude version of Cher from the movie Clueless.

Michelle takes a very deep breath but doesn’t roll her eyes. She has the self-restraint the rest of us are lacking.

“Come in.” I wave to Olivia. “There’s been a change in the lineup. You’re going down after Jess, Audra, and Amy. I’ll be right behind you,” I say sweetly.

The wedding planner raises a brow in Jenna’s direction, but the bride smiles and nods. “Okay then. Line up. The music will start soon.”