The bartender yelled out last call, which had several of the women hurrying to make an order. Noelle wished she was a drinker, but she wasn’t. Her sister gave her a hard look and then turned away, heading to the bar to place her order with some of the others.
“That was very brave of you, standing up to your sister like that.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding, nodding at Alexa, one of her sister’s bridesmaids. “Brave or stupid? The jury is still out. Aren’t you in need of a final drink before our ride home?”
Alexa took a sip of the beverage she held. “No way. I learned long ago not to get shitfaced with them ladies.”
When Alexa didn’t elaborate, Noelle didn’t ask. She had a feeling the woman wouldn’t break her sister’s trust.
It was going to be a long ride home, she feared. Tomorrow was going to be even longer if she had to babysit Merry and the others through more festivities planned for the bachelorette weekend. She wondered what Merry’s groom and his buddies were doing, then shuddered as she thought of the guys. They gave her the creeps on a major level. Merry’s soon-to-be husband wasn’t bad, but his friends from college were major dickheads. Noelle was happy she wouldn’t have to deal with any of them until next week during rehearsal.
She smiled at her sister in the mirror, admiring the picture she made. “You ready?”
“This is only the rehearsal, but you’d think I was actually getting married.” Merry dropped the bouquet of ribbons they’d made out of her presents from her bridal shower. It was pretty if Noelle did say so herself.
Noelle came to stand beside her, putting a pin in the small hat in her sister’s hair. Merry scowled back at her.
“What’s wrong?” Noelle asked.
Merry waved her hand toward them in the mirror. “Look at you and me. You don’t even have to try, and you’re gorgeous. It’s not fair, and you’ll be standing next to me.”
Hurt sizzled over Noelle. When she’d been freed from years of captivity, she’d weighed ninety-two pounds. It took her over a year to put on weight. She was no skinny thing and was proud of her curves now. Her sister Merry was always dieting and never let a chance go by to say Noelle should lose a few pounds even though Noelle was still slim by most people’s standards. However, Noelle still had issues with weight. Years of being starved made her very regimented in her eating habits. She was never going to allow anyone to withhold food from her.
“I can move further down the line, Merry, or not be in your wedding,” she offered. In all honesty, she didn’t want to be in the wedding at all.
“No, it’s too late for that now. Everyone is coordinated. Just try not to steal my spotlight this time,” Merry snarled, spinning away from the mirror, hitting Noelle with her shoulder.
Noelle bit her lip to keep from correcting her sister. She’d never stolen anything from anyone, least of all Merry. Goddess, she just wanted this dog-and-pony show to be over. Several of the other bridesmaids gathered around Merry, murmuring too low for Noelle to hear. Even though she was aware they were talking about her, she ignored them.
“You’re really good at pretending they don’t bother you.” Alexa bumped her hip with her own, offering a mimosa.
Noelle tried to smile. “I’m used to it by now.”
Alexa’s smile was tight. “Doesn’t make it any easier, though, does it?”
Noelle took the drink, watching the other woman sip on her own, without drinking. “Once she’s married to her dream man, she’ll be happy.”
“You think so?” Alexa lifted her cup in a show of it being empty. Noelle passed her the full one without saying a word.
“Alright, let’s get this over with. Tomorrow I become a Mrs.,” Merry squealed.
Noelle tried not to let her sister’s earlier words affect her. She took in the dress her sister had picked out for her to wear, grimacing at the atrocious fit and color. Well, nothing to be done now except to grin and get through it. Putrid green hadn’t been in Merry’s color scheme, but now Noelle understood why she wanted her in it for the dress rehearsal. It wasn’t so she wouldn’t steal her sister’s shine, but rather so Noelle would be embarrassed. What Merry didn’t realize was, Noelle would wear a burlap sack if it made her sister happy.
They lined up outside the double doors. Her father came rushing in from the back, straightening his tie. “I’m sorry I’m late. Your mother couldn’t find her shoes. Oh, you girls are lovely. Err, that’s a green dress, Noelle.”
Several of the other women snickered, but Noelle kept her shoulders straight. “Thanks, Dad. Merry picked it out special for tonight. I assume it’s her favorite color since she chose it just for me. Oh, and I’ll make sure to keep it in excellent condition. That way, when I get married, she can wear it during my rehearsal. Heck, I might even let her wear it as her matron of honor dress.” She smiled brightly, doing a little twirl.
Her father’s lips twitched when Merry’s mouth fell open.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that, Noelle.”
Music began playing, silencing them. Noelle kept her head high as she strolled down the aisle, keeping her gaze forward. If anything, the awful dress would make the man her soon to be brother-in-law had her paired up with not want to get too handsy with her.
It seemed to take forever for the priest to get through all the stages of the ceremony. Goddess, she honestly had no clue a wedding was such pomp and formality, or she’d have said no when she’d been asked to be in it.
The time came for them to pair up and walk
