Page 3 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“Then let’s go!”

* * * *

“There she is!” Robin announced as Sydney and I entered the bridal store. Robin held a glass of champagne as did Granny Althea. Odessa, Cheyenne, Paris, and Holland held what looked to be glasses of apple cider as the color in the flutes was far too dark to be actual champagne.

“Here we are,” Sydney cooed. “Where’s our bubbly?”

“Right here, ladies.” A blonde woman wearing a pink business suit approached the two of us with filled glasses. She handed one to Syd and the last to me. “You must be the bride.”

“I am. What gave it away?”

She grinned, her pretty blue eyes twinkling. “I’ve known Syd most of my life. If she were getting married, I’d know about it, seeing as I’d be the maid of honor.”

“Hey now, don’t be pushing her sisters to the side just yet, Jennifer. She could pick one of us,” Odessa griped.

The bridal attendant made a frustrated sound at the back of her throat. “Dess, we’ve had this conversation a million times over the past twenty years. I am Sydney’s BFF for eternity.”

“And I’m her sister!” Odessa fired back, heat in her tone even though her body language and smile expressed this was a long-standing argument between the two women.

“Yes, but I’m hersoul sister. Which means shechoseme. She was stuck with you. Big difference. Besides, how does a woman pick between four sisters? She doesn’t. She picks her best friend. And that, Dess…ismoi!”

Odessa rolled her eyes and made a snarky miming action with her hand and lips as though a duck were quacking.

“I love you too, Dess. Now let’s get back to the bride. I hear you’ve snagged the previously unsnaggable Memphis Taylor. The lone wolf of the Taylor clan.”

“Unsnaggable?” I asked.

“Jenn, just because Memphis wasn’t into any of your sisters or the women you tried and failed to set him up with, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t find the right woman on his own.”

“We could have been related,” Jenn sighed. “But it wasn’t meant to be. Such is life,” she said in a melancholy tone. “Unless maybe you have a brother or two?” Jenn’s gaze snapped to mine.

“Uh, no. Fresh out. Sorry.”

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to find another hunky family man to hook my sister up with.”

“Or you could just leave it alone,” Granny added. “Not smart to stick your nose where it don’t belong.”

Jenn covered her chest with her hand. “Granny, that is not nice. Everyone is looking for love, which is why I have to help my sisters find it.”

“What about yourself?” I queried.

“Married my high school sweetheart right after graduation and have been living in romantic bliss for the last four years.Bought this place just so I could get my fix of all things romance and weddings every day.”

Syd nudged my shoulder. “Jenn is a hopeless romantic and knows her stuff. She won’t steer you wrong on finding the perfect dress.”

“Well, I’m all yours.”

“Do you have any ideas about what you’re looking for?” Jennifer asked.

“Something that will look appropriate in the Taylor’s backyard garden.”

“Awwww you’re getting married at Casa de Taylor? How lovely. Sooooo…” She tapped her bottom lip. “Green, lush background, roses of varying colors, and a body that was made to be fitted for a gown…” She looked me over. “I already have some ideas. Drink your champagne and follow me to the dressing room. I’ll gather what we need, and we can get started. Let’s see if we can find you the perfect gown to marry your prince charming.”

Sydney blessedly followed me into the dressing room.

“Your best friend seems nice,” I offered.

“She is truly amazing. We’ve been friends since first grade. A couple girls were making fun of my hair and calling me names. Jennifer went right up to them and shoved one down and bit the other girl, leaving teeth imprints on her skin. When they were both crying and carrying on, she pointed at them and said, ‘Mean girls get treated mean back!’ and we’ve been best friends since. My girl may be blonde, blue eyed, and look like a fairy princess, but she’s mean as a snake with the sharpest tongue when someone hurts those she loves.”

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