Entice - By Ella Frank Page 0,103

sale, but in this economy, it still sat empty. It was now the perfect location to get ready and keep the bride away from the wandering eyes and hands of her impatient groom.

When she was buzzed in and let up to the floor Lena was on, Shelly had to admit that she was starting to feel nervous for her friend.

Today was a huge day in Mason and Lena’s life.

In front of family and friends, they were about to commit to one another, promising to love one another forever.

Forever.

That’s such a long time, Shelly thought as she waited for Lena to open the door. Just as it unlatched, Josh suddenly flashed into her mind, but she quickly pushed him aside when Lena appeared, beaming at her.

“And how is the lovely bride on this beautiful morning?” Shelly asked as she stepped forward.

Lena moved aside to let her in. “Ahh, the bride is nervous, and the groom has already called five times.”

Shelly had to laugh at that. It sounded just like Mason to be worried about his doctor today. The two of them had been through a lot to get to where they finally were now. He was probably having a minor case of paranoia, believing it wasn’t actually going to happen.

“Well, the groom is out of his mind. There is no way I’m going to be slacking on my duties, even if I have to pick you up and carry you to the wedding myself.”

Lena laughed as she closed the door, and Shelly took that moment to lay her garment bag across Lena’s couch.

“You don’t have to worry about that. There’s no other place I want to be this evening than standing at the alter with Mason,” Lena told her with a smile on her face.

Shelly returned it, reaching out to hug her friend. Shelly’s heart tightened. She felt herself getting somewhat emotional, hearing her friend so sure of her path and direction, not to mention, the person she intended to share it with.

“You’re lucky you know,” Shelly told her as they parted.

“Oh, I know I’m lucky. But why do you think I am?” Lena asked with a laugh.

She stepped around her and made her way into the kitchen. Shelly followed and took a seat on one of Lena’s breakfast bar stools.

“Because you know exactly what you want,” Shelly told her with true conviction.

Lena turned and arched a brow, holding a chilled bottle of wine.

“Wine? This early?” Shelly asked with a raised brow and a smirk.

“Just one—to calm the nerves a little and to celebrate.” Lena paused. “I do not want to be tipsy tonight.”

Shelly let out a small chuckle and assured her friend. “I will not let you be tipsy for your own wedding.”

Lena grinned and moved toward the counter, taking two glasses from the cupboard overhead. After she had poured them each a glass of wine, she turned to face Shelly.

“What do you mean I know what I want? In life? In general? Or with Mason?” she queried as she passed a half-filled glass in Shelly’s direction.

Shelly took the wine and raised it to her friend. They tapped the glasses gently in a soft clink as Shelly looked at her closest friend.

“All of the above, my friend. You have it all worked out, and that makes you a very lucky woman.” Raising her wine glass, Shelly saluted Lena. “Cheers to you on your wonderful wedding day.”

“Cheers!” Lena returned as they each took a sip of their wine.

***

A little distance away from the girls, Josh sat on his friend’s couch, looking out of Mason’s huge living room windows.

Wow, what a view, Josh thought as he waited patiently for Mason to come back from making yet another anxious call to Lena.

Josh had to smile at his friend. He knew Mason was nervous that Lena would disappear and not show, so every hour on the hour, he was calling his soon-to-be bride to ease his worried mind. Josh wondered what Mason would do if she was stuck under a hair dryer or something and wasn’t able to answer the phone. He’d probably go a little insane.

Ahh, isn’t love grand?

As he waited, his mind slipped back to the night before with Shelly.

He knew she had been close to telling him exactly what he had been waiting to hear, but it had not been how or where he wanted it. He knew he couldn’t control when she was going to say it. That wasn’t the point at all. The point was he wanted her to