Page 104 of Face Off

“It explains it.”

I found the green pile and lifted my assigned shirt. The words BEST MAN sat over the right breast. MERCER PARTY FOR 2 covered the back in white letters large enough to be seen from another county.

I looked at Cade. “You did this to me?”

“My only responsibility was approving the budget.”

“You financed my humiliation.”

“I’ve financed worse.”

“Put it on,” Bliss ordered.

“I’m already dressed.”

She looked at my black T-shirt. “You’re wearing that.”

“Exactly.”

“Ryan.”

“Bliss.”

Her expression tightened with enough bridal authority to make three nearby employees suddenly busy themselves with silverware.

Cade drank his coffee. “You aren’t winning this.”

“I’m deciding how much dignity I’m willing to lose for your marriage.”

“All of it,” Bliss answered. “The answer is all of it.”

I pulled the green shirt over my head without removing the black one underneath.

Bliss stared at me. “Why are you wearing both?”

“So none of the pastel touches my skin.”

“That is the most dramatic thing you’ve done this weekend,” Cade said.

“It’s eight thirty. Give me time.”

Easton entered wearing the pastel blue version of this pastel hell Aura walked beside him in purple, her MAID OF HONOR 2 designation apparently printed large enough to continue offending her.

“I want the record to reflect that I remain opposed to the number,” she told Bliss.

“The numbers are based on processional order.”

“You keep saying that like repeating the lie makes it law.”

“It isn’t a lie.”

Aura turned enough to display I’M WITH THE BRIDE across her back. “At least this part is accurate.”

Easton looked at her ass beneath the lettering. “I’m also with the bride’s maid of honor.”

“You’re with silence until I’ve had coffee.”

“I brought you coffee.”