Page 16 of Without a Hitch
Okay, this isn’t so bad. And the best part is, Jacob has slipped out the door while Olivia stews in her chair.
“Tyler has proved time and again what an amazing partner he’ll be for Jenna, and I can only hope we’ll all find that someday. We all deserve a love that honest and real. Thank you, Jenna and Tyler, for being a shining example of what a happily ever after can look like.
“To Jenna and Tyler. May you have years of happiness and love to last a lifetime.”
Everyone raises their glasses. Everyone except Olivia and Jenna’s father, I notice. As the room congratulates the happy couple, I lean into Melinda. “Why is your dad so pissed off?”
“Jacob works for him,” she whispers. “He tried to hide that he cheated on me with his stepdaughter.”
“Oh, shit.” My stomach plummets, and uncomfortable heat fills my chest. “I just made an enemy for life, didn’t I?”
“Well.” She smirks and I get the feeling I won’t like her next words. “Abby did. Tilly is free and clear after tomorrow night.”
I stiffen as a large head drops between us. “What the fuck was that?” Jenna’s father hisses with his face down so no one can see him.
“What was what?” I ask innocently while clasping my hands so he can’t see them tremble.
“Don’t play games with me, young lady. It will not end well for you.”
Ah yes, the threats. This is something I know how to handle.
I stand abruptly, forcing him back and pitch my voice low. “I was standing up for both of your daughters. Something you should have done years ago. Lindy’s ex-fiancé is here to hurt her, and your psycho stepdaughter is trying to ruin Jenna’s wedding. I suggest,sir, that you get your head out of your ass and get your priorities straight.”
Melinda gasps, just as another gentleman I recognize as their stepfather slides in beside me. “Great speech, Abby. It’s about time someone had Jenna’s back.”
My entire body trembles watching these two men discuss my actions. The whole exchange is like an out-of-body experience. I barely recognize myself. Where the heck has Tilly Camden gone?
“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.
CHAPTER5
TILLY
The Frye/Grant Wedding
“Explain 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.
