“I know.” She still wore her setup wear of old shorts, a t-shirt, and slippers.

“Now! You’re the maid of honor. You can’t be out here still with this.”

She rolled her eyes, backing away while still repeating details to Reba.

“Might want to watch where you’re going, boss lady,” Reba advised, and Cherisse whirled around, running right into Keiran. He wasn’t dressed yet, either, still in baggy shorts and a t-shirt. The groom and his party were on the other end of the venue, ensuring Ava and Eric wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony began.

“Sorry.”

“It’s all good,” Keiran drawled.

She felt compelled to say something, anything to melt this wall of ice between them. But she wasn’t at fault here. “Ball’s in your court,” she reminded him.

He nodded. “I know.”

“Cherisse Amelia Gooding!” Her mother’s voice rang out across the venue.

“You better go.” Keiran turned away before she did, heading back to the groom’s room.

The photographer was getting his official shots in when Cherisse entered the suite. Ava’s makeup and hair were done. She was still clad in her robe, the wedding dress hanging nearby. Remi played secondary photographer with both her camera and her phone.

“Hustle your ass.” Scott pointed to the chair. “I gotta get beautified, too, you know.”

When Scott finished up her face, she helped Ava finally put her dress on. Her sister twirled once she was ready, hands on her hips. “Well?”

Cherisse blinked over and over. Her sister looked stunning. Scott tapped her nose. “I swear to God if you cry this off.”

Her mother lost the battle first, sniffling. Then Julia, who looked ready to bawl all her makeup off. Only Remi remained dry-eyed, capturing all the emotions. Scott rushed to ensure no one had smudged, handing out tissues before hustling out to get dressed.

Against everything telling her to leave him alone right now, she texted Keiran, using their maid of honor/best man connection as an excuse.

Cherisse: we’re at crying our makeup off stage. She looks amazing. Tell Eric if he runs, he’ll miss this. And she’ll hunt him down and kill him for screwing this up.

Keiran: No worries. If he pulls a runner, I’ll tackle him

Cherisse: thanks

She left it at that. Let that be her one moment of weakness.

Assembly time came quickly. Remi nearly tripped over her feet when she spotted Maxine in her grey suit and a coral bow tie. Her usually flat-ironed hair fell in gentle waves, her flower crown resting over her bangs.

“Who thought this was a good idea? Women in suits are my kryptonite. I’ll trip down the aisle, ruin everything,” Remi hissed. “God, she looks like she smells good. She’s wearing suspenders! I can’t do this.”

Cherisse nudged Remi with a finger to her side. “You’ll live. Take your place. Go on. Don’t fall.” Not the best advice, but it would have to do.

Remi’s place was next to Maxine. In spite of the chaos in her own love life, Cherisse smiled as Remi fidgeted next to Maxine. Her cool-as-a-cucumber bestie was losing her shit. Cherisse could relate.