Page 9 of Follow Your Bliss

“Rose! Your gloves!”

She turned around and met me at the edge of the porch, took them without meeting my eyes, and then headed straight across the yard toward her car.

I leaned against a porch column, trying not to notice the sway of her ass in those short shorts. “Shovel!” I shouted.

She pointed her index finger up in the air, sharply changing her trajectory to pass by the statue.

“See you tomorrow night, Rose.”

She waved without looking back, got into her car, and was gone.

Chapter 3

Salty Virgins’ Club

Rose

“So you understand now why you owe me your first born?” I clasped that damn BFF necklace around Lily’s neck while she cackled at my story. She was late as usual, and I’d been standing around the outside of the venue like a creeper. I smoothed the netting on my dress’s skirt down, one of my own design.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I had no idea Jason bought the church. Here. Hold this.”

Not even a thank you as she passed me two heavy bags with her photography equipment. “Why was the stupid thing in the capsule in the first place?”

Lily laughed harder as she shut her trunk. “She told Finn LeBlanc I liked him, and I was pissed. I put it in with this snotty letter telling future Becca how I bet she regrets her actions. Oh—did you bring the letter too? I’d love to read it.”

“No! I was too busy trying not to get arrested for trespassing and vandalizing. Is that a T and V? Or maybe it’s a T and D—trespassing and digging.”

“Pssh Jason wouldn’t have done that. He’s so sweet! And you’re standing in his sister’s wedding.” Her pale green eyes got big. “Did you swear him to secrecy about the necklace?”

I exhaled a sharp, audible scoff from the back of my throat. “Yes, while I was in the middle of my T and V I remembered to beg him for secrecy. No, I didn’t think about it.”

“But that’s such a great story, oh my God. I wish I could tell Becca. She’d think it’s so funny.” She lifted a tripod from the sidewalk, and we walked in together. “We always wanted you to marry one of her brothers so she could be our sister.”

That forced a short laugh from my chest. “Where were y’all on that when I had a crush on him in middle school?” But also, no way would that’ve worked. He was a popular jock, and I was a shy nerd. I spoke maybe five words to him the whole time his locker was under mine, eighth grade year. We barely made conversation at prom. Thank God I could avoid him for most of tonight while I checked final measurements on bridesmaids.

Our heels clicked on the polished marble floor on our way into the cozy ballroom Becca’s mom rented for the night.

“Well, you’re both all grown up now.” Lily nodded toward where Jason stood using a selfie stick to take photos of himself with an elderly couple.

Okay,damn, he looked fine in that suit—impeccable fit—and it was pretty dang adorable how he was pressing a kiss to the top of the older woman’s head.

“Maybe now’s your chance,” Lily said softly. “He’s pretty cute, right?”

“I’m seeing someone. Besides. I’m not interested in anybody who uses a selfie stick, thank you very much.”

“Don’t be so quick to judge. Selfie sticks are just a tool.”

“You’re just a tool,” I muttered under my breath as Lily squealed at Becca’s approach and I set one of her photography bags onto an empty table.

“Guidry girls!” Becca danced up and hugged Lily, then me. “Rose, your dress is gorgeous. Did you make it?”

“Thank you, I did.” I put the second bag down, and when I turned back around, Becca’s fiancé, Brad, and Becca’s mom were greeting Lily. I liked to pretend Becca was my friend too, but I barely knew these people. I was only in the wedding because she had to replace a bridesmaid who would be too pregnant to fly to New Orleans next month.

Brad hugged me. “Great to finally meet you in person!”

“Mom,” Becca said, “you remember Lily’s little sister Rose, right?”

“Yes, of course. The dressmaker.” Becca and Jason’s mom adjusted her glasses higher up her nose to assess me. Her dark eyes, the same shape and color as Jason’s, glanced at the tattoo on my bare arm, my crystal pendant. Her smile faltered and becamePolite, but she still came in for a slight hug. “Thank you for stepping in. Becca couldn’t bear for someone in the bridal party to walk unpaired down the aisle.”

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