The Week Before the Wedding by Beth Kendrick

Author:Beth Kendrick [Kendrick, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101613757
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2013-05-06T16:00:00+00:00

“Goodness gracious, you cut your hair.” Bev’s face blanched as she inspected Summer’s handiwork.

“It’s so…curly. My word, just look how much, er, volume you have!” Rose and Darlene joined Bev in clucking with disapproval. “Well, I guess there’s no point in gussying yourself up just for us gals. Although it is your bridal shower…”

Emily opened her mouth to retort, but Summer cut her off with a swift elbow to the ribs.

“Doesn’t she look cute?” Summer asked.

“Very cute,” Melanie said. Then she gave Emily an agonized look and mouthed, “Sorry.”

“Oh, well, of course.” Bev rallied with her usual tact and sweetness. “You’ll be a beautiful bride on Saturday.”

“Yes, but try to get some extra beauty sleep before then,” Rose suggested. “You look a bit peaked.”

“Exhausted,” Darlene agreed. “Here, dear, we brought you some cucumber undereye cream. It’ll help get rid of those dark circles.”

“It’s organic,” Rose added. “Handmade right here in Vermont.”

“How thoughtful!” Summer exclaimed. “Thank you so much!” She led Emily away to the huge picture window overlooking the lake.

“Do I really look exhausted?” Emily whispered.

“No, no, I’m sure she didn’t mean that. You look great. All you have to do is smile and nod and open presents.”

“While everyone silently judges me for being so haggard and frizzy.”

“You just need a nap. And I’ll make sure you get one, right after you ooh and aah over a bunch of stemware and china.”

Emily put on a smile and did her best to shift into bride mode. “Oh, we didn’t register for china. We’re going to use Grant’s grandmother’s place settings. They’ve been in his family for generations.”

Summer rolled her eyes. “I should have known.”

Georgia glided up, resplendent in a silver ruched cocktail dress and an obscene amount of diamond jewelry.

And just like that, Emily stopped worrying about her untamed frizz and dark undereye circles.

“Mother. What’s up with the red carpet gown?”

“I’m feeling extra festive today.” Georgia placed her hand on her chest, the better to show off her sparkling rings and bracelets. “Do you like it?”

Summer and Emily exchanged a look. “You’re just dressing like that to piss Bev off. Admit it.”

“I admit nothing.” Georgia frowned as she examined Emily’s curls. “What happened to your hair? It looks a little…”

“Summer cut it.”

Georgia clapped her hands. “Oh, it looks fabulous!”

“Uh-huh.”

“You’re very talented, Summer.” Georgia opened her arms to her ex-stepdaughter, then squinted out the window. “Are my eyes going or is that Ryan Lassiter out there?”

Emily and Summer followed her gaze, and sure enough, Ryan was racing around in front of the sparkling waves, throwing a Frisbee for his dog. He looked so energetic and exuberant that for a moment, Emily felt a pang for what she had lost—for what she herself had been like when she was younger.

“That’s him.” Summer jumped up and down and waved at him. “He’s all rich and famous now. Some kind of Hollywood big shot.”

Ryan waved back and started toward the Lodge.

“What are you doing?” Emily cried. “Now he’s going to crash my shower.”

“But what is he doing here, of all places?” Georgia asked.

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