Page 117 of Always a Bridesmaid
Since Violet had everything packed except the items she needed for tomorrow—the plan was to head out after the wedding—she picked up Isla. She cuddled her close, adding a dozen kisses to her epic cheeks.
“You’re going to grow so much before I see you again, and that makes me super sad, but I have to attempt to be a grown-up with a life of her own.” It’d be her very own, too, because she was never going to pull someone else into it ever again.
Not only was she completely giving up on men—for really reals this time—she was considering getting a puppy.
Only she wantedherpuppy that wasn’t actually hers. She might need time to mourn losing Trouble as much as she was grieving over the breakup with Ford.
How could I have been so blind?
More like how could she have let her eyes and her heart do the decision-making when she knew better?
They were questions she’d already asked the Bridesmaid Crew chat, after telling them that she and Ford were no longer, and instructed the girls to please smack her upside the head if she ever started talking about a tempting hot guy again.
They replied with a mixture of validating her feelings, consoling comments, and threats to Ford’s person. All of which she appreciated, and it made her love her group of friends even more.
I can’t wait to get back to them,she thought, but it didn’t quite ring true. Yes, she wanted to see them, but they’d still have their lives, and she’d have… Well, she’d figure it out along the way as she put herself back together once more.
Addie and Tucker’s wedding was going to be painful, but Violet wanted to be there for them and for Lexi. She’d stick near the exit and congratulate the happy couple when they stepped away from the dude of honor. She’d survive.
Somehow.
“Violet,” Maisy called. “It’s for you.”
For a second, the world ground to a halt.
Ford?Her traitorous heart fluttered, its short-term memory ready to make a fool of her. She’d overrule it and use her brain this time. As she walked toward the living room with Isla in her arms, though, her throat went bone dry.
Instead of Ford, Lexi and Addie stood in the living room.
Violet told herself she was relieved, even though her stomach bottomed out and called her a liar. “Hey, ladies. How’s it going?”
“Horrible,” Lexi said. “The wedding is falling apart, and we have a giant favor to ask.” She glanced at Addie and motioned between them, muttering something about should she do it or did Addie want to?
Foreboding pricked her skin—and where was her glass of water, because she might die of thirst in the next minute or so if she didn’t rehydrate.
“Well, you know how my sister was supposed to be one of the bridesmaids?” Addie asked. “She didn’t have a tummy bug. Turns out she’s pregnant—the ultrasound estimated she’s already three months along. She’s been super nauseous but was still planning on being in the wedding.
“Only when she arrived yesterday, she started bleeding and ended up in the hospital. The doctor prescribed bedrest. She can come to the ceremony, but not the reception, and she can’t do anything but sit and watch. The doctor told us, like, a hundred times. And he added a threatening reminder that he’d be attending, too.”
While Violet was upset on Addie’s behalf, she wasn’t sure why they’d come to her with the news. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something to help.”
“Funny you say that,” Lexi said. “Because you and Alexandria are about the same size. And you already know everything about the wedding, so…”
“Would you be my fill-in bridesmaid?” Addie asked, hope shining in her features. “I get that it’s complicated, thanks to my dude of honor being a huge jerk—something he and I are gonna have some words over, trust me.”
“And we’ll make sure you don’t have to walk down the aisle with him,” Lexi said. “You literally just have to stand there in the dress and occasionally help straighten Addie’s gown. Maybe hold an extra bouquet and make small talk with townsfolk. Stuff like that.”
“Otherwise, Lexi will be the only female besides me.” Addie twisted the end of her ponytail around her finger. “And after decades, I finally got the town to realize I am, in fact, a girl. So even though part of me wants to say who cares what they say, I do, to a certain extent. Especially when it comes to my wedding.”
A pit opened up in Violet’s gut as her brain screeched into overdrive. She’d given up playing bridesmaid and everything wedding-related because it hurt too bad. Given up men.
Given up most everything.
Lexi lightly touched the forearm Violet had wrapped around Isla’s middle. “We realize we’re asking for a huge favor and that it’s totally last minute.”
“I just want tomorrow to be perfect, and you’ve done the bridesmaid thing before, and…” Addie’s breaths came faster and faster. “I’m trying not to panic, but the bridal rollercoaster is throwing me for a loop. And when I was lost on decorations and cake and a dozen different things, you stepped in and calmed me down, lickety split.”
Addie stepped closer and squeezed Violet’s shoulder. “I’ve even thought that if I’d met you earlier, you would’ve been in the wedding party. Now we have the opportunity to fix that. And no pressure or anything, but I won’t be able to sleep until I know this is taken care of.”
