His camera lifted.
“Miss? Are you family of the bride?”
I looked directly at him.
“Yes,” I said. “Unfortunately.”
Inside, the lobby smelled like gardenias and expensive perfume.
A wedding planner I had hired but Chloe had taken credit for rushed toward me, headset crooked, face pale.
“Harper,” she whispered. “Thank God. Chloe’s mother said you were sick.”
“I’m better now.”
Her eyes moved to my hair.
She understood enough not to ask.
“The Sterling people are furious about something,” she said. “Their legal team has been in the private dining room all morning. Nathaniel keeps taking calls.”
“Good,” I said.
She blinked.
“Good?”
I touched her arm.
“You’ve done excellent work. Whatever happens today, make sure your invoices are protected.”
Her face changed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means send final copies to your attorney before the ceremony starts.”
She stared at me for two seconds, then turned and walked quickly away.
I continued toward the bridal suite.
I did not knock.
Chloe stood in front of a wall of mirrors wearing a dress that looked like a cathedral had been turned into fabric. Lace sleeves. Pearl buttons. A train long enough to require two assistants. Her blonde hair was arranged in perfect waves beneath a veil that cost more than my first car.
My mother was beside her, fastening a bracelet.
My father stood near the champagne table in a tuxedo, looking self-important and uncomfortable.
When they saw me, the room froze.
Chloe’s mouth fell open.
My mother’s hand flew to her chest.
My father’s face turned red.
I closed the door behind me.
“No,” Chloe said.
That was all.
No apology. No shock. No guilt.
Just no.
As if I had disobeyed the script.
My mother recovered first.
“Where is your hat?”
I smiled.
“I decided not to wear one.”
Chloe’s eyes filled with panic as she looked at my hair. Not because it was ugly.
Because it wasn’t.
“You cut it,” she said.
“You started. I finished.”
Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
“You are not walking down that aisle looking like that.”
“I’m not walking down the aisle at all.”
My mother stepped forward.
“Harper, this is not the time for one of your emotional punishments.”
“I resigned as bridesmaid.”
Chloe’s face went white.
“You can’t resign an hour before the ceremony.”
“I did it in writing last night. Check your email.”
