Page 70 of The Best Man Wins

She notices but then simply smiles. “After the wedding.”

“Of course.” There’s enough drama brewing around this day. We don’t need to throw a matchstick in the fire by making a public display of our relationship.

We part ways, and I go to join Ray’s clan. He’s surrounded by his best men.

“Hey, buddy, you got the ring?” Ray asks.

I pick it out of my pocket and hold it up for him to see. “I told you I’d keep it safe.”

Now a big smile splits across Ray’s face. “Knew I could count on you.”

“Are you ready for this?” I ask pointedly. “Everything.” The wedding. The pending baby. A future with my sister.

“I’m ready,” Ray says firmly. “I’ve never been readier.” He looks around between his best men, throws up his arms, and shouts, “Hey, y’all! I’m getting married!”

They hoot and holler their cheers. Despite myself, I join in.

Here we go.

33

Susie

The farmhouse is bustling.

Roxanne orchestrates the kitchen, hollering at the caterers. It smells great. I wave to her briefly, and she tosses me a big smile. “Today’s the day!”

Yes. Yes, it sure is.

I scramble into my bedroom and shimmy out of my clothes. We’ll have to make this quick. I rinse off, pat myself dry, and yank a dress over my hips. I slip into a pair of flats, apply mascara to my eyes, and then I get to work on my hair. I tie the golden strands together into twin braids that fishtail down the back. Lastly, I pull my Bluetooth headpiece out of my bag and clip it on my ear so I can reach Thom and Marlee at a moment’s notice.

Something is missing. I scrunch my nose up at my reflection in the mirror. Then I see it. The powder blue jacket that Braxton got me is hanging on a hook behind me, so I slip that over my shoulders.

There. Perfect. Now it’s showtime.

I can hear a commotion down the hall. I exit my room and follow the noise. I find all the bridesmaids shoved into Cora’s room. They’ve made a chain, doing each other’s hair and chatting.

“Do you think they’ll have moonshine after the party?” Cynthia says as she knots Candace’s hair.

“Oh, I do hope so,” Candace replies. “In little mason jars? That would be positively darling.”

The woman of the hour sits at the center of attention. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, looking in the mirror and directing. Two girls flock around her hair at once, but as soon as she sees me, she stands.

“Susie—oh, I’m so glad you’re here.” Already, her eyes look misty.

She’s a vision. She’s wearing a classy white, rustic dress. It hugs her figure, with tiny little beads threaded in floral designs along the front and embroidered lace running down her sleeves.

But it’s more than the dress. She’s beaming. The color has returned to her face, and she can’t stop smiling.

Now I think I might cry. My fingers cover my mouth. “You changed your dress,” I remark.

Cora shrugs, but she’s smiling. “The inspiration hit me. Finally.”

“You look beautiful.”

Cora’s lower lip starts trembling again. She launches herself at me then and wraps her arms around me. I hug her back, squeezing her tightly. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she whispers.

“Yes,” I tell her. “You could.”

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