Page 70 of A Petal in the Crown

Janelle jumped up. "Erik! Right." She blushed. "Maybe I do want to find a dress. Not that it matters tome,of course, but, you know, I want Erik to have the perfect wedding. For him."

"Of course," Lea said, grabbing Janelle’s hand and squeezing. "Let’s go find you that dress. For Erik."

Janelle bumped Lea’s shoulder as they walked back to the castle. "Hey," Janelle said, stopping and turning to her. "About that magic—it’s amazing that you can take it and all, and I’m thrilled you figured it out. Really. But I don’t really have much. Do you think I can have it back?"

Chapter 44

Emma

Emma pinned the last curl in place on Janelle's head, creating soft, cascading waves that swept over her shoulders into a low, loose bun. Soft purple tendrils framed her face, and her eyes and lips had been painted a delicate shimmering pink. Janelle had insisted on the makeup when she asked Emma to do her hair, saying it was only fair since Erik deserved for her to look her best. But Emma could feel the yearning emanating from beneath her carefree exterior. She acted tough, as if she didn't care, but deep down, she wanted to feel beautiful on her wedding day, and Emma was determined to help make that happen.

Emma held up the mirror, and Janelle's mouth popped open in surprise. Her hand rose to touch her cheeks and the hair hanging loosely around her face. For the first time in Emma’s memory, Janelle appeared speechless, her arm falling to her lap.

"Emma, it's—”

“You're beautiful," Emma said, squeezing her shoulder before grabbing Janelle's dress, a beautiful, deep purple gown that accented her hair. Janelle held the mirror back up, turning her head from side to side.

"No crying, or your makeup will run," Emma warned.

"I don't cry," Janelle insisted, but her voice was choked. She coughed, then met Emma’s eyes. "Thank you. For everything."

The door swung open with a squeak, and Lea walked in, stunning in a sparkling silver gown, a bottle of wine in hand. "A toast before we put on the dress?" she suggested.

"Hell yeah!" Janelle exclaimed, hopping to her feet and grabbing three glasses. Janelle placed them on the table as Lea opened the bottle with apop, pouring them each several fingers worth of sweet pink wine.

"To the best friends anyone could ask for," Lea said, looking at Janelle, then Emma, "and the men who will forever have to put up with us."

"Cheers!" Emma smiled as she took a sip, her heart warming. Not even a year ago, she hadn’t even met either of these women, and now she couldn't imagine her life without them—without any of them.

"To your happiness," Emma said softly, avoiding their eyes. The moment felt intense, making her skin buzz uncomfortably, but she didn’t want to miss it. She would remember these big moments in their friendship for as long as she lived.

Janelle raised her glass. "To Lea, for never giving up so we can have the chance to live and love for a very long time... and for giving Emma the time to find that love."

They clinked their glasses and drank deeply. Emma blushed, thinking about Thomas—the way he wanted to protect her, but wasn’t controlling. The way his touches never seemed to overwhelm her the way other people’s did, and how he always seemed to know what she needed without her having to say it out loud. Emma knew without a doubt that if she suggested it, he would rush her far away from here, that he was desperate to do so. But he respected her enough to allow her to make her own choices.

"Maybe I already have," Emma admitted, her stomach warm from the wine.

"Holy shit, really?" Janelle asked, while Lea beamed at her. Emma waved them off as a knock sounded at the door.

"Are we ready?" Thomas called.

"We were just talking about you!" Janelle said, but Lea cut her off with an elbow to the ribs.

“What’s that?” he asked.

"Um. Nothing. Give us just a minute. We need to get Janelle dressed," Emma said through the door, a blush creeping down her neck.

Avoiding her friend's eyes, Emma removed Janelle's dress from its hanger, opening up the back to allow her to step inside. She laced it tightly and tied it with an elegant bow as Lea adjusted the straps. They both stepped back, and Janelle spun in a circle, suddenly appearing nervous.

"Well?" she asked.

"Come on in!" Emma called to Thomas, her voice light, a smile plastered on her face. He walked straight in, stopping short when he saw Janelle.

Thomas placed a hand on his chest. "You look so beautiful," he said, moving forward to hug his friend. "Who knew the girl who used to throw mud at me could look like such a lady?" he joked.

Janelle shoved him, the emotional moment over. "Asshole!"

"No, really," Thomas said, holding his hands up in apology. "You look beautiful."

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