Page 311 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1
"I know. I think I'm finally at peace with it, though. I can't force them to meet me. So I'm just going to try and not think about it."
"They're being so ridiculous. I bet they're going to love you when they meet you too. Maybe I can do some nagging of my own while I'm in town."
"It's fine. Please don't on my account. I'm not sure James even wants them to come to our wedding at this point. So I'm done dwelling on it. Actually, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are going to throw us a late engagement party thing at their house on Friday." James and I had called them this morning to set up the date.
"Really?"
"Yeah. So I'm just focusing on being excited about that. I hope you'll stay for it."
"I wouldn't miss it."
***
I sat down on a velvety couch and looked up at the chandelier above my head. Everything about this place screamed elegance. It was going to be ridiculously expensive. I don't think I was ever going to get used to spending exorbitant amounts of money like James liked to do. Our wedding alone was going to cost more than my tuition at NYCU.
"When's the maid of honor getting here?" Bee asked with a smile as she sat down beside me.
I had picked up my mother and Bee after getting Jen. "She's running late, but I'm sure she'll be here soon." I hoped Melissa would be here any minute. I didn't want whatever weirdness was going on between us to continue. She knew how important it was that she helped me pick out a dress. I couldn't even think about doing this without her. She was my best friend.
A young woman in a black dress walked up to us. "Hi, I'm Anna, and I'll be your bridal consultant today. Which one of you is the bride?"
I raised my hand awkwardly. I was still used to being in a classroom. "That would be me," I said and immediately dropped my hand. "I'm Penny," I said as I stood up and shook her hand.
"And who is with you today?"
"This is my mom and my two bridesmaids, Bee and Jen."
"Nice to meet all of you," Anna said.
I looked over Anna's shoulder to the door. Where was Melissa?
"Are you ready to get started?" Anna asked.
I pressed my lips together.
"We were waiting for one more person," my mom said. "But I guess we might as well get started, right Penny? We don't know when Melissa will get here."
"Yeah." I sat back down on the couch. "Let's do this."
Anna laughed. "Okay, well, what silhouette were you going for?"
"I don't really know. What are the different options?"
"How about we try one of each kind to give you a feel for what you like?" Anna said and gave me a sympathetic smile.
"That sounds great."
"When is your wedding?"
"June 30th."
Anna stared at me for a second. "Wait, you meanthisJune 30th?"
"Yes?" I wasn't sure why I said it as a question.
"That's less than three weeks away!"
"I mean, just one day less than three weeks. So pretty much three weeks."
