lilies are being positioned everywhere. Champagne coupes are being arranged on a side table. A string quartet is setting up in the corner of the room. It looks like Emma is gearing up for the party of the century.
“Nice place,” I say.
“Five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, heated pool, hot tub, cabana, indoor basketball court, gym, wine grotto, cigar lounge, dedicated massage room, and a home theater,” rattles off Selah. “She got it at a good price too.”
Huh. “Have you ever thought of getting into real estate?”
“My father would have an aneurysm.” Selah tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “Working with Rachel is bad enough. It’s only barely acceptable because her family is old money and good friends and I refused to back down.”
It must suck, having a family that doesn’t support you. That tries to keep you contained to a certain role in life. I don’t want to feel bad for her, but I do.
“Alice, hello.” Rachel kisses me lightly on one cheek. Guess she likes me after all. Or she’s doing a very good impression of same.
“Hi,” I say. “What’s going on?”
Rachel opens her mouth to answer, but is beaten to it by her daughter.
“Matías and I are renewing our vows. It’s a surprise, meaning I haven’t bothered to tell him yet. I only decided this morning.” Emma sweeps into the room on a cloud of elegant shining white fabric. It’s sleeveless with a bateau neckline, her hair done up in a simple knot. “I’m not sure about this dress. What do you think?”
Rachel sighs. She looks a little tired. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart. But then they all are. Is it pressing on your stomach?”
“No.” Emma pulls a face, wriggling about within the confines of the material. “It’s comfortable enough.”
“Okay. So what can I do to help?” I ask.
“Oh. You’re my bridesmaid.”
“I am?”
“Yeah.” Emma inspects the room. “I don’t actually like any of my original bridesmaids, so you’re up this time around.”
My brows rise. “I’m honored.”
Selah delicately snorts. I don’t entirely blame her.
“Of course you are.” Emma clicks her fingers. “You, musicians, play something. Let me hear you.”
The string quartet rushes into place, conferring quietly before bringing up the agreed upon piece of music on their various tablets. The delicate strains of “Ave Maria” fill the air and Emma groans. “Boring. What else have you got?”
The musicians quickly confer once more.
Next comes “Pachelbel’s Canon.” I’ve worked more than one wedding in my time on the hospitality frontlines so my knowledge of this sort of music is quite good. And this is a nice piece. But again, Emma seems unimpressed. “No. Something livelier. A touch of rock, maybe.”
The violinist contemplates this with a frown. “How about ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ by The Verve?”
“I like it!” Emma smiles, pleased. “And it’s sort of funny, what with this being our second time around and everything. Play it. Hurry.”
“I hope they’re being paid well,” I murmur.
Rachel makes a noise in her throat. “I’ll be sure to tip them commensurate to my daughter’s rudeness and demands. Now, your dress has arrived. Hair and makeup are upstairs. Selah, will you take her, please? Best behavior, thank you.”
Selah’s smile is brittle. “Of course.”
There’s a definite look of warning in Rachel’s eye. Taking delight in Selah being treated like an errant child is petty of me, but oh well. Such is life. Guess Beck has been in touch with Rachel about his ex being banned from our house. A good thing. While my boyfriend is excellent at avoiding her, I seem to have to deal with Selah far too often. That needs to end. It still amazes me that Rachel even gave her a second chance given how she lied and manipulated Beck. Rachel’s obviously a much nicer person than I’ll ever be.
“Lead away,” I say.
I’ve never been a bridesmaid before. And I’m more than a little curious about the dress they chose for me. With all of the people rushing to and fro, it appears this will be one hell of a party. At least things are never dull with the Elliots.
Beck: Heard from Emma. Canceled our restaurant booking again.
Me: I feel like the world doesn’t want us to date.
Me: On the plus side, I like you in a tux.
Beck: Describe your underwear to me in great and salacious detail.
Me: Old sports bra with a hole in it under one arm. White granny pants washed about a hundred times so the cotton is really soft with some of the elastic coming undone around the waist.