Page 144 of Your Soul to Keep

I nodded and stood up.

She squeezed in and shut the door quickly, ensuring nobody saw me.

“How’s Dylan?” I asked.

Bridge smirked. “She’s out there flirting with the best man.”

“Of course she is,” I teased. “She chose well.”

Bridge rolled her eyes, then sobered. “I, uh, have something for you.”

I looked up in surprise. “You do?”

“Yeah. It’s not nearly as good as yours, but I wanted you to have a bit of your Nan with you.”

She handed me a tiny satin handkerchief, neatly embroidered in blue.

May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true.

“Bridge, thank you,” I breathed, running the tip of my finger over each letter.

She waved me away and dropped to her haunches. “I’ll just pin it under your dress where no one will see it.”

Opening the slit that ran from mid-thigh to the floor, she tucked it close to my hip and neatly set it in place.

Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph, Shae, would it kill you to show a bit o’ leg?

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Bridge looked up, her eyes widening in alarm. She pointed a finger in my face and lurched to her feet. “Stop! Noelle will kill us both if you ruin your make-up!”

I huffed out a laugh. “She’s the bridezilla of wedding planners,” I muttered, sitting down at Nan’s vanity to dab at my eyes.

“She is.” Bridge laughed and squeezed my hand.

I blew out a breath and met her eyes in the mirror. I pressed my lips tight and gave her a short nod.

I was ready.

She tilted her head to the side. “I love you, Shae.”

My mouth turned down ominously.

She laughed. “Oh no you don’t!”

I laughed wetly and gave myself a small shake.

She squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll see you on the other side?”

I smiled. “You most definitely will.”

With one last beaming smile, she slipped out the door.

Standing, I smoothed the wide swath of Irish lace that curved neatly around my hips. Gathered at the back, it trailed behind me to the floor.

I faced the mirror. “Okay, Nan?” I whispered softly.

My eyes sparkled with a combination of joy and nerves, but I looked pale.

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