Page 17 of Game Day

The guys jump on me.

6

NOVA

Five days until the wedding

"It's too much lace." Mari’s nose wrinkles as her gaze rakes down the layers of cream thread and fabric.

"Is there such thing?" Brooke counters.

In the three days since we decided to move forward with this preseason wedding, Clay and I sat down with the wedding planner from the venue.

We went over numbers, ceremony plans, guest lists and scheduling.

Mari promptly came up with her own to-do list, which she insisted should be mine too.

As much as Clay said he wants to share the preparation, he's still pulled away for practice and I’m excited to have these moments with my sister and best friend.

Right now, they’re holding up two sides of the same wedding gown.

“It’s so… virginal,” Mari insists.

Brooke blinks. “Then it’s a good thing your sister is pure as the mountain powder.”

Mari looks between us, eyes widening in disbelief as Brooke cracks up.

“Nova’s obviously marrying Clay because he’s such a poet.”

Now we’re both laughing, but my sister only shakes her head.

I insisted I didn’t need a traditional wedding dress, but with a single phone call Brooke had one of the foremost wedding designers in Denver opening their doors to us on short notice.

So, I figured it would be uncharitable not to at least see what they have.

"A trumpet shape would make your hips look…” Mari makes a swooping motion with her hands.

“But Nova has wanted a big puffy princess gown since she was a little girl," Brooke cuts in.

Mari scoffs. “How would you know that?”

Brooke turns to me. "I'll pull some more options. Don't move."She heads off to scope out some more gowns on the other side of the boutique.

Mari squares her shoulders and lowers her voice. "Listen, I know when you came for my wedding to Harlan, I picked Chloe over you as my maid of honor. And I’ve been meaning to tell you…” She lifts her shoulders. “That was a mistake. Not because Chloe's not amazing, but I know how capable you are."

My heart expands. “Thanks, Mar. I appreciate you being here, especially since Emily’s not sleeping and you have that big project at work.”

Her eyes shine, but she sniffs. “Yeah, well, you’re my baby sister.”

Brooke returns loaded down with dresses. "Here we go. Try these."

With the help of the store attendant, I try one dress after the other.Every cut and style.

"Hair up?" Mari suggests with one, and Brooke shakes her head.

As much as I love that they’re both here, I wish they’d smile at the same time.

"What do you like?" the attendant asks me.

---