Page 89 of Past Due

I complied while Aston demanded Rina lift the iPad higher and zoom in so she could see the earrings and necklace. Once the earrings were in, I experienced a flutter of excitement and nerves. It suddenly felt real. I’m getting married.

“What about something blue?” Aston asked.

“Oh, she’s got that handled,” Rina coyly teased.

I blushed at the reminder of the frilly and completely impractical blue panties Rina had insisted I buy at the lingerie store she had dragged me to after picking out my wedding dress. She had piled so many scraps of lace and silk on the counter that I still hadn’t taken gotten through the bags yet!

“Well, I want to hear all about how that goes,” Aston insisted. “But! Wait! What about something borrowed?”

“I have something for you to borrow,” Stefana said, stepping forward with a three-strand bracelet of pearls. “Rina told me about the earrings, and I thought this bracelet would match perfectly.”

“Thank you, Stefana.”

She waved off my gratitude and wrapped the bracelet around my wrist. She fixed the clasp and said, “Perfect.”

“Only one more thing!” Rina said excitedly and scurried back to the bedroom. She came back with my birdcage veil in hand. It was a vintage style like my dress, the netting the same ivory shade.

Between Rina and Drita, they managed to get the comb slipped into place and tucked a few bobby pins into my hair to make sure it stayed put. An oversized silk flower, ivory with hints of peach and tiny pears at the center, sat atop the comb, hiding it from view. Rina primped the short length of netting, making sure it wasn’t rubbing along my nose.

With a pleased grin, Rina stepped back and declared, “There. Now, you’re a bride.”

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the three women gazed at me with smiles on their faces. Even Aston who usually had a quick remark for every situation seemed speechless. Stefana held the iPad at chest height, making sure Aston could see the whole ensemble. My best friend sniffled and wiped at her eyes. Finally, she said, “Marley, you’re getting married!”

Excitement and anxiety bubbled in the pit of my belly. This was it. I was going to leave this room a single woman and return as Besian’s wife. When I stepped up to the altar and made my vows, my life would change. Forever.

But the thought of wearing Besian’s ring and sharing his name settled my nerves.

I inhaled a steadying breath and smiled. “I’m ready.”

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