Chapter 1
On my wedding day, I’m up at five, only to find the makeup artist working on my bridesmaid instead of me.]
“Mr. Carter paid extra for me to do an additional bridesmaid look,” she says casually, dabbing foundation on Riley Morgan’s face with zero urgency.
“Your bridesmaid showed up early and asked me to do her first–said she didn’t wanna bother you.“[]
“Don’t worry, Lily! I’ll be done super quick!” Riley flashes me this sickeningly sweet smile.
That’s when I notice she’s not wearing the bridesmaid dress I picked out for her.
Instead, this bitch is wearing white–the exact same color as my wedding dress.[]
I’m standing there, fury boiling up inside me.]
I whip out my phone and call Mason.
“First of all, MY makeup artist is only doing MY face today.”
“Second, tell your precious childhood sweetheart to get her ass out of that white dress and into the bridesmaid outfit I picked out for her. NOW.“]
Mason picks up, still half–asleep and sounding resigned. “Come on, Lily, don’t be so petty, okay?“]
“Riley told me the bridesmaid dress you ordered was way too big–it doesn’t fit her right.“]
“And about the makeup thing. Riley’s such a tomboy, she can’t even do her own eyebrows…“]
I cut him off mid–sentence]
“If you don’t agree, this wedding is OFF.“[]
The line goes dead quiet for what feels like forever.[]
Mason lets out this heavy sigh, his voice all raspy from sleep.
“…Is it really that serious, babe?”
“Fine, whatever. Happy wife, happy life, right? Put Riley on the phone–I’ll talk to her.”
I hand the phone over to Riley.]
The second she picks up, her face goes white as a damn sheet.[]
Her eyes start welling up with tears.
Acting like she’s the victim in all this bullshit.
“Mason, it’s your big day, not mine. I just wanted to look nice for you–how could that possibly be a crime?“[]
“Seriously, when did bridesmaids have to look plain on purpose? Does the bride really feel that threatened just because someone else put on a little makeup?“[]
I know damn well she’s saying this for my benefit.
But I don’t even look up.
Mason shoved this bridesmaid down my throat–he can deal with th
the mess.
A week ago, Mason suddenly springs this on me out of nowhere.]
He’s got three groomsmen lined up, but I orlly have two bridesmaids. Says I need to find one more]
I’m still trying to figure out who the hell to ask when he just steamrolls right over me with his childhood friend.
“Riley grew up with all of us–she’s the only girl in our whole crew.”
“The other three guys are all groomsmen, but she’d just be sitting there like a regular guest. Makes it seem like we don’t give a shit about her.”
“You need another bridesmaid anyway, so why not just let her do it?”
Mason says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.]
Something about it rubs me the wrong way, and I want to say no.]]
But then he starts with the sweet talk and puppy dog eyes.
Laying it on thick until I can’t get the “no” out of my throat.
So I cave and say yes]
The same night I agreed to this shit, we had our pre–wedding friends hangout.
That was the first time I’met Riley Morgan face to face.]]
No makeup, white t–shirt, jeans–looking all fresh–faced and innocent.
When she sees me, she’s way too fucking friendly, looping her arm through mine and calling me Lily.
“Mason’s such a lucky bastard, landing himself a girlfriend as gorgeous as yout“]
“None of us ever liked his exes, but finally he scored a good one.”
She’s got me on one arm and Mason on the other, pulling us both down to sit.[]
The whole overly touchy–feely act makes my skin crawl.[]
“Thanks for letting me be your bridesmaid! Otherwise these assholes were gonna make me be a groomsman instead!“]
Ethan, one of Mason’s boys, jumps in: “We already had your groomsman suit made! You’re our group’s princess–for Mason’s wedding, you gotta be front and center“]
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lily is the star of the show!“]
They’re all playing off each other like some rehearsed act.]
I can’t get a word in []
The whole damn party. I’m sitting there like a third wheel
They’re drinking and playing games, and Mason automatically starts blocking drinks for Riley.
When they’re all tipsy, Riley hooks her arm’around Mason’s neck and they start belting out some sappy song about friendship
Getting all emotional and shit.]
“Mason, from now on you won’t just be mine anymore…“]
“Say it! Tell me we’re best friends for life!”
She’s shoving the mic in his face, demanding an answer.
1 hit my breaking point, slam down my drink, and storm the hell out.
That party triggered a week–long fight between Mason and me. We only made up the day before the wedding.
The bridesmaid thing was already set in stone–too late to change it.]
I just want to get through this wedding without any more drama.]
But Riley’s still stirring up shit.]]
I’m not taking this crap lying down
If today doesn’t go exactly how I want it to, this wedding is fucking OFF.
