Page 3 of The Wedding Confession

I glance back at Ronnie. She mouths,Thank you.

See, I told you I’d save the day. I might aspire to be sunshine, but I canburn.

Except—the moment isn’t over.

Felicia’s face turns redder than her stained bodice. She makes two fists like a toddler refusing to go to bed and lets out a terrifying shriek.

The wedding planner bursts into the room. “Oh my God, what is it?”

“Call security!” Felicia yells. “Call them right now or you’ll never work another wedding again!”

The poor woman nearly drops her phone. “What happened?” Then she sees the front of the dress. “Oh.”

“Get security now!”

The woman scampers off.

Felicia turns to me. “You did that on purpose. I want you out of here.”

“I’m here for Ronnie, and I’m not leaving,” I say.

Her eyes narrow, and the pure evil aimed at me almost makes me shiver.

An oversize man in a brown uniform races into the room. “What’s wrong?”

“Her,” Felicia says. “Jeremy, get her out of here.”

Uh-oh. She’s on a first-name basis with the security guard.

“No!” Ronnie cries. “She’s my best friend!”

“Take her in the hall,” Felicia says. “She doesn’t belong here.”

The guard hesitates a moment, but Felicia’s voice gets more strident. “Jeremy! Take her in the hall!”

That’s actually a good idea. Ronnie’s seen enough. “I’ve got this,” I tell her. “Don’t worry.”

And before the big lug can put his hand on me, I walk ahead of him into the gold-wallpapered corridor, my puffy peach skirt swaying around my knees with my swagger.

Felicia closes the door to the bridal chamber and faces the hall. “This woman intentionally ruined my dress,” she says to Jeremy.

“I tripped,” I say. “I’m a bridesmaid.”

Jeremy looks back and forth between us, taking in the ruined dress. “If she just tripped—”

“Jeremy,” Felicia snarls. “I need her gone. I’m a trustee here. You should listen to me when I say she’s a threat to our club.”

Jeremy sighs. “Let’s go.” He reaches for my arm.

“No!” I spin aside. “I’m not leaving my friend!”

“Don’t let her make a fuss!” Felicia hisses. “Take her the back way out!”

I wave my arms so Jeremy can’t grab hold. “That woman is crazy! I tripped!” But I’m not entirely convincing. Ididdo it on purpose.

“Just follow me,” Jeremy says. “It will be all right. Let’s cool off.”

He doesn’t seem like he’s going to actually throw me out, his face more annoyed than angry. He starts down the hall.

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