Page 55 of Bridesmaid to Bride

The creases of concern etch deeper into Brielle’s forehead. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Look, you’re here because Zach invited you, right? Or is there another reason?” My words are casual, but they hang heavy in the air.

“Zach and I go way back.” Her fingers fidget with the strap of her purse. “He’s an old friend. Is it so bizarre I’d come to his wedding?”

“Old friends are like vintage wine—complex and full of surprises,” Skye says.

“Okay, seriously, why am I being interrogated?” Brielle’s spine straightens as she braces herself.

“Let’s just say we’re ensuring every guest is here to celebrate, not stir the pot.” I lean back into the cushions, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Stir the pot?” Brielle echoes, her eyebrows knitting together. “You think I’m here to sabotage the wedding or something?” She glances at the wall. “Oh my God, you do! That’s me up there on your wall. And that’s such a bad picture!”

Skye puts a clipboard in front of Brielle’s face. “Exhibit A: a picture of the child with you on Memorial Day. Freckles across the nose. Zach has freckles across the nose.”

Brielle’s mouth pops open, and I swear I can hear the cogs in her brain grinding to a halt. Her purse strap goes limp in her grasp. “You think I’m here to drop some Maury Povich-style truth bomb at the altar?” A laugh bursts from her lips, high-pitched and incredulous. “That’s some telenovela-level drama, but no, Skye.” Brielle whips out her phone and scrolls through her pictures. “Exhibit B, my sister, the child’s mother, with the child and the child’s father, who also has freckles across the nose.”

“Oh.” Skye looks down.

Whoops. Schooled.

“Look. I’m just here to see an old friend get hitched. No hidden agendas. Are you kidding me?” There’s a sincerity in her voice that makes me believe her.

Plus, I like Brielle. A lot.

“Oh, sorry.” My tone’s drenched with guilt. Poor Brielle, the nice person she is, now hates us.

“We’re a little protective of the groom,” Skye adds.

“Listen, I get it.” Brielle holds her hands up in a gesture of peace. “Weddings make everyone a little nutty. But I’m just here for the free booze and to maybe catch the bouquet.” She winks, but there’s a tightness around her eyes.

“Then help us out,” I plead, straightening up. The last thing I need is another wild goose chase. “We’ve been killing ourselves trying to track down whoever’s got it in for this wedding. And they are really making a mess of things.”

“I see.” There’s a knowing look in Brielle’s eyes, like she’s the wise oracle and we’re just mortals floundering for truth. “You want a name? Look into Kat.”

“Kat.” I groan. “Why do you say that?”

“She was pretty devastated when Zach dumped her.” Brielle’s voice lowers.

I gasp. “She’s Zach’s ex?”

Skye is rubbing her forehead. “How did I miss that? I’m losing my touch.”

“You two didn’t know? Yes, she is. And let’s just say her invite to this shindig raised a few eyebrows—including mine.”

“Thanks, Brielle.” A flush of relief—and embarrassment—heats my cheeks. “And sorry for the third degree.”

“Girl, it’s fine.” Brielle waves off the apology, already halfway to the door. “But if you really wanna thank me, how about making sure I’m seated next to Hayes’s camera station? He’s fine.”

“Oh, he’s my ex-stepson. Great kid.” Skye nods. “You two would be cute together.”

“Deal,” I say, my mind already spinning with the new intel. As Brielle exits, I turn to Skye, determination lighting a fire within me. “Looks like we’ve got a step-mommy to investigate.”

“Damn straight.”

As if Paige somehow reads my mind, she barrels into Skye’s room; her face twisted in panic. “Kat is Zach’s ex!”

“What?” Skye and I say in unison, playing dumb.

---