Page 66 of Wedlocked

“Kruger really wasn’t kidding when he said he didn’t want a long engagement,” I joked.

Jess laughed. “I definitely wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “But I’m so grateful. I spent a lot of time dreaming when I was young, but even my dreams didn’t come close to this.”

I reached across to lay my hand on hers. “You deserve it.”

Her lashes fluttered, emotion filling her face. “I never thought so, but Ben loves me anyway.” She smiled, glancing around at each of us. “And then I met all of you. I’ve never had so many friends, and I just want you to know how much you meanto me. Truly. Thank you for accepting me as I am and for being more of a family than I ever had.”

Rory whimpered and leaned over to give her a one-armed hug. “We love you, Jess.”

Jess pulled back, using the hem of the fluffy robe to pat her eyes. Setting aside her glass, she reached down beside the pedicure chair and lifted a white bag with tissue paper sticking out of the top into her lap.

“I just assumed if I ever got married, it would be alone. My parents are… well, not around. I haven’t seen my brother in so long I probably wouldn’t recognize him if I did.”

Her chin quivered, and a surge of emotion crested in my chest. Tears pressed at the backs of my eyes. Jess and I had very different lives… but I related to some of what she was saying. The loneliness specifically.

“I mean, I have Matty and Ben, but this… this is different.” Jess turned to me. “You know?”

I nodded, dabbing my eye. “I do. When most people in life have disappointed you, it’s really even more special to find people who don’t.”

She nodded quickly, another tear dripping over her cheek. “So yeah. I got you each something. A thank-you for being here, for being my bridesmaids.”

She pulled out three identical white boxes, each with a pink bow and our names written in gold across the lid. After passing them to each of us, she placed the empty bag on the floor.

“It’s not much,” she said. “Definitely not a spa day.”

“Hey, that doesn’t matter,” Rory said.

Landry shook her head. “It’s the thought that counts.”

Jess turned her brown eyes to mine. “Thank you for this,” she said, gesturing around the room. “To be honest, I feel guilty accepting such an extravagant gift when I can’t reciprocate.”

I gasped lightly. “Oh, please don’t feel that way,” I told her, reaching out to grab her hand. “Honestly, your friendship,” I said, including Rory and Landry in my words, “is far more valuable than the cost of a spa day. I’ve had money all my life, more than I know what to do with to be honest. But that money is a poor substitute for my mother. For family. I mean, sure, it’s nice because I can do things like this, but it wouldn’t mean anything if you girls weren’t here to do it with me.” I focused back on Jess. “Your friendship is reciprocation enough, okay? The memories we’re making today mean so much to me.”

Jess leaned forward and hugged me.

“Open them,” she told us.

The silky pink ribbon fell into my lap when I untied the bow and lifted the lid.

“Oh,” I said, picking up the box to run a finger along what was inside. “This is so pretty.”

“I couldn’t tie the knot without you,” Landry read from the card inside.

Jess nodded. “There’s a knot in the bracelet.”

Rory lifted the simple gold bangle with a knot tied in the center. The bracelet was open on each end, capped with a small gold ball. “I love it so much,” she said, slipping it around her wrist.

I did the same, feeling the cool metal against my skin and adjusting it so the knot was centered on my wrist. The gold glinted under the lighting above the pedicure stations, and I grasped the small circular charm right next to the knot. It had an M engraved on it.

“I chose the knot because, well, like the note said, you will be there for me when I get married… but also because I want you to know that if the gold of that bracelet is life, then I’m the knot tied in the center. That I will always be here for each of you and you three are the sisters I got to choose.”

All three of us made cooing sounds.

“Is that too cheesy?” Jess worried, wringing her hands.

“This is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!” the woman doing her pedicure said from near her feet. All three other ladies alongside her nodded and agreed.

I glanced up, startled. I’d forgotten the women were there.

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