“Estrella,” Willa yelled from the other side of the garden, waving her arms at me. She started running in my direction, swaying from side to side like a ship lost in a storm, thanks to wearing stiletto heels on grass.
Willa made it over to us and we hugged. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need you to come with me. Now,” she said and took my hand. “Sorry David, I need to steal Stella for a little while. Enjoy the food and drinks, there’s plenty.”
“Willa. Good to see you again,” David said and nodded his chin at her. He didn’t even offer a handshake or hug. Willa didn’t seem to care and took my hand, turning away from David.
Before I had a chance to say anything, she dragged me toward the house and through Mason’s overgrown yard that had been transformed into the perfect setting for an engagement party.
“The decorations look amazing, Wills.”
“I found this amazing wedding planner that Rayna recommended. Her name is Emerson. I’ll introduce you if you want. She could do your engagement and wedding as well.”
“David already hired a planner. I would have loved to work with her, though.”
“It’s your wedding. You can still change your mind, I’m sure.”
“Not likely.”
Willa stopped dragging me behind her and turned to face me. “Stella, I’m just going to say this one thing, and then I’ll shut up about it. Promise. But you are making the biggest mistake of your life. Don’t marry him. You don’t love him and you look miserable. When was the last time you remember feeling happy?”
I wanted to tell her that it hadn’t been that long but the truth was, since I’d moved in with David I had been miserable. The last time I had felt like my life was good was when I was with Mason.
She nodded and continued towing me behind her and up the porch steps. “You can’t even pretend it’s not true. Just know that whatever you do, I’ll have your back.”
“Oh Willa,” I sighed, “I don’t deserve you.”
She flipped her hair and continued up the stairs. “Don’t be so dramatic. That’s my role. Now come on, you need to help me get ready. Oh, and you need to change.”
What was everyone’s problem with what I was wearing? Seriously, it wasn’t a bad dress. And this was just an engagement party. On a farm.
I followed her into one of the guest rooms at the back and stumbled when I saw the white dress draped over the bed.
“Willa, what is going on?”
“Surprise,” she said and held up her arms. “I’m turning our engagement party into a wedding.”
“Does Jameson know about this?”
Willa rolled her eyes at me and handed me a dress in a garment bag. “Whose idea do you think this was? Now put that dress on and then help me with mine.”
Holy shit, my best friend was getting married today. I think I was going to cry. Scrap that, I was definitely going to cry. Right now. Yup, there they go. Tears. What a disaster.
“Oh no. No, no, no. Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup. And we don’t have time to redo it. Stop. Think angry thoughts.” She wrung her hands and started pacing. “Remember that time I ate the last piece of that chocolate cake you bought from Sweet Dreams? Even though you told me not to eat it and I still did? But I was sad and needed something to make me feel better, so I thought since you were my friend you would want me to have it?”
The tears stopped and I frowned instead. “I was pretty mad at you.”
“Total overreaction,” she said and stopped moving.
“Maybe a little.” I swiped under my eyes, the tears no longer spilling. “Okay, I’m good.”
I unzipped the garment bag to reveal a sparkly gold dress. The sequins reflected the light, making the dress sparkle. Willa was smiling so big I was afraid it would be permanent.
“Really? This is what you chose for your bridesmaid’s dresses?” I asked, holding it up, amazed one garment could so closely resemble a disco ball.
“You knew this was going to happen.”
I did know. And I guess it taught me a valuable lesson to not make declarations after I had a few drinks.
“I was drunk when I said that I would only let you get married if I could wear a sparkly gold dress and be your bridesmaid.”
“You’re my maid of honor. And I know you want to wear that dress, so shut up and put it on.”
“I’m your maid of honor?” I stared at her, the tears welling up again.
“No, no, no, no, think of the chocolate cake.”
“You’re right. Of course. I’ll stop.” I waved my hand in front of my face and when that didn’t work I pinched my side. I yelped but thankfully stopped the tears from falling. I took off my clothes and slipped into the form-fitting dress. A look in the mirror confirmed it. The dress was exactly what I thought it would be. Way over the top for a wedding, especially as a bridesmaid’s dress, but I loved the way it hugged my body in all the right places and the gold sequins reflected the light just right.
Willa looked me up and down and nodded. “Just like I thought. You are a shit friend, after all. Can’t even look bad when I make you squeeze into a disco ball. You could have at least tried for my wedding. I’m the bride after all.”
I shook my head and blew her a kiss. “We both know I look more Vegas showgirl than elegant bridesmaid. And nobody could upstage you on your own wedding day.” I pointed to her wedding dress. “Ready to put this on?”
“Absolutely. I can’t believe this day is really happening. I’m so happy, Stella, I could burst. I’m marrying the man of my dreams, and
