by Susanna Carr
“Where is Cheryl?” he asked as he went down a hallway, hoping it was in the direction of the bridal room.
“Handling some detail with the minister. You don’t have to worry about me. She’s too busy to plot my demise.”
“I will always worry about you.”
“That’s sweet,” she declared in a soft voice. “I want you to know I wasn’t ignoring you. I’m not sure why I didn’t get your messages. The connection here must be weak.”
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere. And—” He turned the corner and spotted her alone, leaning against the wall. Cole stopped as his heart gave a violent lurch. “Holy...”
Angie wore the most provocative dress. It faithfully followed every line and curve of her body. It was designed to gain a man’s attention.
“Cole.” Her expression brightened when she saw him and turned off her phone.
He strode toward her and gathered her close. It felt good to have her in his arms.“You are in so much trouble.”
“For what?” she asked as she held on to him. “For not answering my phone?”
For the phone. For not listening to him. And definitely for the dress. He took a step back and stared at her. The dress was shiny and a strange shade of green, but it fit her perfectly. The low-cut dress hugged her pert breasts and thrust them out like an offering. The skirt clung to her hips and was perilously short. It would ride up her legs and would draw every male’s attention to her bottom when she walked.
“That dress,” he said slowly.
She pulled away and crossed her arms. “Trashy, isn’t it.”
“No.” He grabbed her wrists and held her arms out as he took a longer look. The dress emphasized her breasts and hips. “You look...wow.”
“Stop teasing me.” She tried to escape his hold but he wouldn’t let her.
“I’m serious. Wear this dress for me some time,” he asked as his gaze lingered on her long, bare legs. He saw the delicate high heels and changed his mind. “Forget that. Just wear the shoes and nothing else.”
He saw a naughty gleam in her eyes before she dipped her head. “No way.”
“Why not?” Cole asked as he held her hands above her head. Her breasts threatened to spill out of her dress and she tilted her hips as he leaned into her. She was soft and yielding as her body cradled his. Desire for her pulsed right through him and he grew hard as stone.
“This is not me,” she insisted.
“Yes, it is.” He glanced around the hallway, wondering where he could whisk her away.
“No, it’s not,” she said in a biting tone. “I can’t pull this look off. Do you know me at all?”
“I know every side and every facet of you,” he said as he lowered his arms and caressed her cheek. “This is you. It was you last night.”
“I would never choose this dress. It’s too revealing. Too sexy. It promises something I can’t deliver.”
“You are sexy.” His voice was rough and low as he brushed his knuckles down her throat. “It’s driving me wild.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “I thought I was sexy in sweatpants and an oversize T-shirt.”
“You are. Because that’s when you feel confident and comfortable. Because you can hide in those clothes.” He cupped her breast and shuddered as the lust whipped through him. “You can’t hide in this.”
“Don’t tell me that,” she said, smiling and thrust her breast into his hand. “That’s the last thing I need to hear before I walk down the aisle.”
He let go of her and gave the dress another look. “How do you get out of this?” he asked as he licked his lips with anticipation.
Angie flattened her hands against his chest. “Don’t even try.”
“I’m surprised Brittany is allowing you to wear this,” he muttered as he crushed the skirt with his hand. “You’re going to upstage the bride.”
“I look like a joke.”
He hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her head up, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Angie, you don’t need a dress to show that you are a beautiful and sexy woman. But don’t think you have to hide in sweatpants because you’re afraid of being noticed.”
“Cole, you don’t understand.” She brushed his hand away from her face. “What you see is hours of work from a team of professionals. This is as good as it gets. And I don’t... It’s not...”
“I see you. The real you. Behind the makeup and...what the hell is this?” He rubbed his fingers together. “Glitter?”
“Yeah.” Angie said roughly as her chest rose and fell as she drew in each breath.
He bumped his forehead with hers and stared into her eyes. “Hide as much as you want, but it’s a waste of time. I don’t care if you are walking down a runway or limping across the finish line. I will always see you as a strong and sexy woman.”
She lowered her lashes as her cheeks turned pink. “Cole...”
He didn’t want her to feel shy. He wanted Angie to feel safe with him. “Just know that you don’t have to hide from me.”
The loud creak of a door echoed in the empty hallway. Angie was startled at the sound and looked in the direction of the bridal room.
“Oh, my God. Really?” Robin said and planted her hands on her hips. “Cole, do not smudge her makeup or wrinkle her dress. In fact, do not touch her at all.”
Cole raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. He noticed Robin wore the same dress as Angie. He didn’t spare a second glance at the maid of honor. Angie was a living, breathing fantasy.
Angie sighed and turned her attention to the maid of honor. “What do you want, Robin?”
Robin pointed at the door she just exited. “I’m having trouble tying the corset in Brittany’s gown. I need help. I need muscle.”
“And you thought of me,” she said. “I’ll be right there.”
“Good,” she said as she returned through the same doorway. “I swear, I can’t turn my back on you for a second.”
“I’m sorry, Cole. I have to go.” She bit her bottom lip and gave him a hopeful look beneath her lashes. “Are you going to attend the wedding?”
“Yes.” He grabbed her hand and raised it to his mouth. Brushing his lips against her knuckles, he promised, “I’m here for you.”
* * *
“WHY ISN’T IT fitting?” Brittany shrieked. She stretched the corset one way and then another, and pressed it to her stomach. “I swear this dress fit perfectly two days ago.”
“Breathe in,” Robin suggested.
“I haven’t eaten solid foods for a week,” Brittany swore as tears sparkled in her eyes. “I didn’t cheat once. Not once! This should fit.”
“It will,” Robin promised. “Don’t cry or we’ll have to redo your makeup. Angie, how’s it going back there?”
“Are you pulling as hard as you can?” Brittany asked.
“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth as she pulled the pink ribbons that crisscrossed in the back of the corset. The mermaid gown was of the palest pink but there was nothing innocent about the dress. The plunging neckline and flared hips dramatically accentuated Brittany’s curves. Angie didn’t know how Brittany was going to breathe, let alone walk.
Angie pulled so hard she thought she would get rope burn but the corset didn’t budge. “I’m afraid to pull any harder,” she said. “I don’t want the dress to rip.”
“Rip?” Brittany whirled around and gave Angie a hateful look. “What did you do to my dress?”
“Nothing!” Angie said as she rubbed her reddened hands. “The dress is fine.”
“Stay away from me.” Brittany teetered on her heels as she took a cautious step back. “I don’t want you touching my dress.”
Angie looked at Robin. “I give up.”
“Where is Cheryl?” Brittany asked as she examined the back of her dress in the mirror. “Why isn’t she here helping me?”
Robin shrugged. “I haven’t seen her since we arrived at the church.”
“Call her,�
� Brittany ordered. “Call her right now.”
“I have.” Robin flopped into a seat next to the bride and held her head in her hands. “Constantly. I don’t think we get cell reception here.”
“Go find her,” Brittany screamed. “She’ll know what to do.”
“I’ll do that,” Angie volunteered. She’ll do anything that didn’t require her to be locked in a room with Brittany.
“Hurry,” Robin pleaded. She looked at the clock. “We don’t have much time before the ceremony starts.”
Angie hurried out of the room with Brittany’s wails ringing in her ears. She took a few quick steps before she stumbled and tripped on her heels. Angie grimaced as she twisted her ankle. She pressed her lips together as the pain shot through her leg.
It didn’t seem to matter that she had practiced walking in the shoes for hours, Angie decided as she limped down the hallway. It was practically guaranteed that she was going to trip as she made her way down the aisle.
No, she won’t. Angie rolled her shoulders back and held up her chin. She could master these shoes. She could wear this dress. She wasn’t about to be nervous over the height of her hemline or heels. All she had to do was find Cole and concentrate on him while she came down the aisle. When he looked at her with a mix of awe and desire, she would find her confidence.
Angie saw an open door that led out to the church garden. “Cheryl?” she called. “Are you out here?”
“Yes.” Cheryl appeared from behind a flowering bush. “I’m getting the place ready for the photographer.”
“Brittany needs you.” Angie watched Cheryl and frowned when she noticed the assistant wore the same shoes as the bridesmaids. She even had the same polish on her toes. It was bubble-gum-pink. Yet Cheryl didn’t get a pedicure with the rest of the bridal party.
“What seems to be the problem?” Cheryl asked as she walked up the stone steps.
“There’s a problem with the dress,” Angie replied. She narrowed her eyes when she noticed Cheryl’s dress. The assistant wore a soft pink cardigan but her outfit was shiny and green. It was a replica of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
Cheryl stopped at the top of the steps. Angie dragged her gaze up, cataloging every detail. She was belatedly aware that Cheryl was studying her closely.
“Did you forget something?” Angie asked, doing her best to seem casual as her instincts were sensing trouble.
“I only have to do one more thing....” Cheryl suddenly reached out with both hands and pushed Angie down the steps.
18
ANGIE LUNGED OUT to grab onto Cheryl, but instead, tumbled to the ground. The rough stone steps scratched her skin. Angie wasted no time, though, before she leaped to her feet where she’d landed. She felt every cut and bruise, but she tried to ignore the pain as she focused on Cheryl.
“Damn,” Cheryl groaned. She stood at the top of the steps with her hands on her hips. “What are you? A ninja?”
“So, I’m next, huh?” Angie asked as she held on to the arm that had broken her fall. She rubbed it as she scanned the garden. She didn’t see a way out. “I’m surprised that you’re not trying to finish the job on Robin.”
Cheryl’s eyes widened with surprise. “You figured it out that it was me.” Cheryl gave a mocking clap. “Well done, Angie. You are not the dumb jock Brittany claims you are.”
“Why are you doing this to Brittany?” Angie asked. She looked at the hedges that bordered the garden. They were too tall to climb over. “I thought you cared for her.”
“I do care.” Cheryl’s face turned red with anger. “I’ve done everything to give her the wedding she wanted. I care more than anyone in her bridal party. I probably care more than Patrick and it’s his wedding.”
“Okay, calm down.” Angie looked around and considered her options. She didn’t have her cell phone, and even if she did, it probably wouldn’t work. Everyone was in the church except for Robin and Brittany. Angie’s only hope was that Robin would come looking for her. But what were the chances that she’d find her in the enclosed garden? No one would see her before Cheryl attacked again. Her only plan was to keep Cheryl talking until someone became concerned for them.
“I am calm,” Cheryl retorted.
“That’s true,” she said as she took another step back. Maybe she could rush Cheryl and tackle her. But that probably wouldn’t work in her favor. “You have nerves of steel. Like when you hit Heidi at the strip club. Did you plan that or was it a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing?”
“I don’t know why she asked Heidi to be maid of honor.” Cheryl scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Brittany thought she would do whatever we asked, but it turns out the woman was useless. Her ineptitude was going to ruin the wedding. Heidi needed to be told what to do, how to do it and when it needed to be done. It made my job twice as hard.”
“I’m sure it did.” Angie nodded her head vigorously as she took another step back. “So you had to get her out of the wedding?”
“No, that was a bonus.” Cheryl took the next step. “I was reminding her of her duties and she went off on me. She was complaining about how much work was involved.”
“Didn’t she realize that this was an honor?” Angie asked and realized Cheryl didn’t hear her sarcasm.
“She made me so angry,” Cheryl growled. “I have worked on this wedding for months and I wasn’t paid for the extra time. I did all this while doing my regular job for Brittany. Heidi barely did anything. I don’t know what came over me. I just snapped.”
Angie looked quickly behind her. There had to be another way out. “And that’s why you hit her with a flower vase.”
“How do you know that?” Cheryl asked, her voice rising. “I was very careful putting back the arrangement.”
Angie held her hands up. “You did a great job. Honest. And you did it when no one saw you. How is that possible? I admit that those strippers were distracting, but...”
“No one notices me,” Cheryl said sadly. “Not even Brittany. I’m the assistant. Invisibility is my superpower.”
“Are you kidding? You are an essential part of the team. This wedding wouldn’t have happened without you.”
“Oh, sure,” Cheryl muttered as she took the last stone steps. “I’m noticeable when something goes wrong. Then everyone is looking for me.”
“What’s wrong with being invisible?” Angie asked. “It’s comfortable. It’s safe. It means you’re doing something right.”
“Oh, what would you know about being invisible?” she spat out. “That stripper picked you out of a crowd of women. Beautiful, glamorous women who know the difference between Prada and Pucci. And he can’t keep his eyes off you.”
“Brittany notices what you do. She’s desperately looking for you now.” Angie glanced at the small church building. What was taking Robin so long?
“And when she finds me, I will be tending to your concussion,” she said sweetly as she advanced. “Everyone knows you can’t walk in heels.”
“That may have worked before but not this time,” Angie said as she scurried back. She jumped when the prickly needles from the hedge poked her behind. “You let everyone think Heidi had too much to drink. But you didn’t know that Heidi was clean and sober.”
“I don’t believe you. Brittany talked constantly about Heidi’s wild antics. I knew the woman was going to be trouble before I met her.”
“And when Heidi was out, you saw this as your chance to get into the wedding. You wanted to be a bridesmaid.” Angie shook her head with disbelief. “Why?”
“Why? A bridesmaid is chosen based on how close she is to the bride. Someone who is important and part of the bride’s life. Brittany hasn’t seen Heidi and Robin for years. They didn’t know what was going on in Brittany’s life. I do. I’m with Brittany every day. I’m an important part of her life.”
“I’m sure—”
“Do you know why Brittany became a personal shopper?” Cheryl asked. “Or what her goals and dreams are? Do you know what problems sh
e had to overcome to get where she is today? I do.”
“So what?” Angie said, shrugging. “I could find all that out if I wanted to. Brittany doesn’t strike me as a very private person.”
“So what? I know every intimate detail of Brittany’s life. I am her closest confidante. I get rid of obstacles in her life and I protect her. I should have been a bridesmaid.” Cheryl flattened her hand on her chest. “I should have been picked to be the maid of honor.”
“You’ve definitely proven how indispensible you are in Brittany’s life. If she didn’t know it before, she definitely knows it now.”
“She appreciates me,” Cheryl shouted. “I know she does.”
Angie cringed. Her instincts were to duck and take cover, but she had to keep her talking. She had to buy herself more time. “But you did your job too well,” Angie decided. “She wanted you to stay in your role of assistant and she made Robin maid of honor.”
“I know. I couldn’t believe it.” Her face twisted with anger. “Robin? Robin was worse than Heidi.”
“So how did you get rid of her?” Angie asked. “You put something in her drink, didn’t you?”
Cheryl suddenly stopped advancing. She took a step back and gave Angie an assessing stare.
“Oh, come on,” Angie said with a tentative smile. “You know I have no proof. You got rid of the martini glass the minute Robin started to show symptoms.”
“How long have you known that it was me?” Cheryl looked at her as if she were a new type of threat.
“I didn’t,” she admitted. But she wouldn’t dare mention Cole’s observations or how he had been investigating the accident. “I thought Robin hurt Heidi because she deserves the maid-of-honor role.”
“Deserves? Are you kidding?” Cheryl’s voice overpowered the organ music coming from the church. “Robin didn’t deserve it at all. All she cared about was getting lucky at the wedding. Like being the maid of honor would give her the extra edge. Right. A little peanut oil in the martini took care of that.”