Without a Hitch(15)

“This doesn’t concern you, Michael.”

“Doesn’t it? Considering I’ve spent a lifetime with your daughters, while you spent a few measly weekends, I think it is my concern. I suggest you take a seat before you cause a scene.”

Jenna’s father gives a jerky nod as he notices we’ve drawn the attention of most of the guests.

“Don’t pull this shit again,” he warns a few inches from my face with a menacing smile.

Jenna’s stepfather pulls me in for a hug and thankfully forces me to retreat from the other man who looks like he wants to rip my head off. “Keep it up, sweetheart. You’re making Jenna’s wedding everything she wanted.” He pats me on the shoulder a couple of times, then heads to the other side of the table.

I plop down with a heavy sigh, only to have Jenna reach for my hand with a happy squeal.

“Best wedding investment ever!”

It’s hard not to share her enthusiasm. I just need to make it through twenty-four more hours with the bridesmaid from hell.





C HAPTE R 5

TILLY

The Frye/Grant Wedding

“E xplain to me again how you ended up in a wedding?” My sister Eli is slightly hysterical. I’m closest to her of all my sisters, but I can’t blame her for the panicked screeching. My situation is straight out of a fucked-up romcom.

“This girl, Jenna, paid me twenty grand to babysit a loose cannon of a bridesmaid.” I smile at the phone screen.

Eli leans back in her chair. She’s a coordinator for an after-school program funded by the Westbrooks. I find it hard to believe it was always in their plan and didn’t magically appear after she told them about her dream job, but I appreciate that they were looking out for her.

“Maybe this is it,” she says. Her eyes gleam, and I can almost see the wheels turning, cogs clicking into place, in her beautiful hazel irises.

“It? What’s it?”

“Maybe this is the jumpstart you need for your event planning company,” Delaney cuts in. I’m pretty sure she shits rainbows and glitter, and I wouldn’t have her any other way. “Admit it, you’ve been planning weddings since you were old enough to know what a wedding was. For the love of happy, you used to make us take turns dressing up as the groom when we were little. Maybe you have a niche business. Part wedding coordinator, part bridal party wrangler.” The image on the screen shakes, and I can tell she’s bouncing on her toes with excitement.

I laugh at her absurdity. “I don’t think so, Del. This is definitely a one-off. Who in their right mind will pay me to keep bridesmaids from cutting each other off at the knees?”

“Have you learned nothing from Preston or Colton these last few years?” Eli wrenches the phone from Delaney’s grasp. “While those two are mostly normal, the people they associate with are freaking nuts! One of Preston’s friends spent forty-five thousand dollars on a vase. A vase, Tilly. You don’t think they’d shell out big bucks to make sure the most important day of their lives is perfect?”

“No, I don—” The alarm goes off on my phone. “Shit, E. I have to go. I’m supposed to be in Jenna’s suite in ten minutes.”

“Okay. Love you. Go get those bridal baddies,” Delaney cheers.

“You’re both ridiculous.” I can’t help but laugh though.

“Would you prefer malicious maids? Oh, oh, or maybe mismannered maids? Gah! You can name your company The I Do Crew!”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“No, Till. I’m serious. Just hear me out.”

“I really have to go. I’m late. Love you both.” I hang up before she can add anything else.

Grabbing my dress, shoes, and anything else I think I’ll need, I hurry to Jenna’s suite. I unlock the door with the key card she gave me and am immediately assaulted by a shouting match.

“I know you did this, Olivia. I know you did.”

What the hell did she do now? I hurry to hang up my dress, then round the corner just in time to find Melinda holding up her dress with a slice down the center.

“Holy hell. What happened?”

“This crazy psycho bitch shredded my dress. I saw her putting the scissors in her purse.”

I glare at Olivia. What the fuck is wrong with this girl? She has the gall to shrug like we’re wasting her time. All right, Olivia. Game fucking on. No one is going to ruin a wedding on my watch.

Not when they’re so magical and special. It’s your one day to be the princess.

“Not today, Olivia,” I mutter under my breath and cross the room wearing my best angry face.

Granted, my sisters have always told me I’m the least scary person alive, but I put as much venom into my expression as I can muster.

“Remember how I told you I work in PR?” She rolls her eyes. “Well, I also run a blog. A very successful blog that routinely goes viral, and since I owe you nothing, I have no qualms about blasting this to the world.”

“My father would sue you for everything you have,” she replies flippantly.

“Stepfather,” Melinda mutters.

“Funny thing about that. I have a contract with Jenna that says I can use any piece of her wedding for publicity purposes.” I’m totally bluffing, but Melinda cuts in to bail me out.