Page 107 of Royally Benevolent

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THE BRIDESMAID

ODETTE

“I’m sweating so much. I look like hell,” Astrid groaned. “I look dreadful, and I want to cry.”

“Stop panicking,” Ingrid said. “You look beautiful, and this is thefunpart. Parker will come in here any moment and fall all over himself for you in that dress.”

We waited in Alexandra’s room following the change to our evening attire. I was dressed in my sister’s colours—a deep jade, beaded gown covering all my curves in peak style. Meanwhile, Astrid was in her second white dress of the day. She looked stunning in her choice. Her hair—half down, half up—gave her an angelic, urethral appearance. Parker would no doubt lose his mind when he saw her. He’d even criedduringtheir ceremony.

A knock signalled our quality time as sisters was ending.

“Baby, we’re waiting.” It was Rick.

“Just a minute,” Alexandra called.

She took Astrid’s hand, then mine. I grabbed Ingrid’s hand. She took Astrid’s. We had one more minute together before chaos erupted, and Astrid left on her honeymoon.

“I love you so much,” Alexandra said. “And Parker is wonderful. We are so lucky to have him officially in the family. But it is hardto watch you go and move to Britain for good. We will miss you, but you will always be here.”

“No matter where, you’re always in our hearts,” I promised.

Astrid, choked up, sniffled, “You’ll never be rid of me.”

I rushed to bring her a tissue.

“I am glad you’re staying in the UK with me,” Ingrid said. “But Alex is right. It’s not the same. You found Prince Charming and are having your own beautiful life.”

“It’s hard, yeah. I want nothing to change, even if I want everything with him.”

“You love him. Of course, you do,” Alexandra said through big tears. “But you’re beautiful—sweaty or not.”

We all laughed.

“Girls, c’mon,” Rick whined.

“Coming!” Astrid called.

She held hands with Alex as they approached the door, and I held onto Ingrid. Another sister flew the coop for good, which was bittersweet. Both of my big sisters—our protectors—were married and settled. I yearned to feel the same way and see the man Ihopedwas waiting for me on the other side of that door.

In the hallway, our dates awaited our arrival. Rick worried Alex was doing too much. Parker wanted to get the nervy introduction as the newlyweds over with. Keir probably just wanted to carry Ingrid off down the hall to do something dirty. I, meanwhile, just wanted to spend the night dancing with Wyatt.

Wyatt looked—as usual—dynamite in a tux. I took his arm as Parker fawned over Astrid. He could be so mushy with her in private. He worshipped her, after all.

“You look beautiful, Odette.”

I let Wyatt pull me into a delicious kiss—one I’d been yearning for all day. I wrapped my arms around his neck, ignoring everyone around. After all, compared to what Ingrid and Keir got up to, my actions paled in comparison. The British spare was a naughty boy, and Ingrid couldn’t quit him.

“Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself. Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss the dinner and dancing. Promise.”

“I’m sorry you’re not at my table,” I said. “Protocol.”

“I will see you plenty after things break out,” he said. “Besides, how could I pass up a chance to sit with the Brits? They’re the wild ones, right?”

“Right.”

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