Toss the Bouquet (29 page)

Soon we had plowed our way into the changing rooms and emerged, a quintet of—I admit—silly-looking, bubblegum-pink bridesmaids. Well, not exactly a quintet. Sienna slugged her way out of the changing room with a scowl on her face.

Crystal loved the dresses and pronounced them, “Amazing! Perfect! Just what I always dreamed of!” Likely she didn't see the somber look on her maid of honor's face. Not that it would've mattered, anyway. My sister was far too busy narrowing her list of potential wedding gowns.

I slipped out of my bridesmaid dress and back into my jeans and T-shirt. Then I joined the other girls to watch as Crystal tried on dress after dress. Mama sat nearby, tissue in hand so she could dab her eyes, which she did repeatedly.

My grandmother, ever practical, shook her head a lot.

Until she saw
the
gown. From the minute my sister appeared in the gorgeous princess gown with full tulle skirt and Austrian crystal bodice, my mother and grandmother could scarcely speak a word. They were too busy wiping their eyes and sniffling. I found myself sniffling a little bit too.

So, I was surprised to see, was Sienna. In a moment of endearment, I slipped my arm around her shoulders and whispered, “It's perfect, isn't it?”

She shook her head and whispered back, “Perfect? Are you kidding me? It's the farthest thing from perfect. I look
awful
in pink.” She rolled her eyes and then pulled out a tube of lipstick and smeared it across her pouty lips.

I pulled my arm away at once and did my best not to groan aloud. If this girl didn't take her eyes off herself—and Derrick—this irritated southpaw might just have to throw her some fastballs and strike her out.

The first couple of weeks of March sailed by. I settled
into a fun routine, working at the bank during the day and helping Crystal in the evenings. We pored through magazines, looking for ideas for everything from centerpieces to bridesmaids' gifts, and we had a blast putting wedding plans in motion. I even helped her address wedding invitations. Talk about exhausting. But I didn't care. Anything for my sister.

I felt closer to Crystal than I had in years, and I tried not to feel sad that she would soon be a married woman. Would we still get to share these precious sisterly moments we'd grown to love? I grabbed them while I could and hung on for dear life.

On the third Friday in March, I hosted a fun get-together for the bridesmaids to complete plans for the bridal shower, which would take place in April, a little less than
a month before the wedding. We were also going to put together centerpieces for the event.

With Grandma Nellie's help, Mama made a great dinner for everyone—grilled chicken Caesar salad and fettuccini. The girls arrived at six thirty. Well, all but Sienna. She told Cassie and me she'd be late, but no one commented on her absence, and neither did we. Weird. Maybe we were all just getting used to it by now.

As we settled in around the table, Crystal popped in just long enough to say hello. I sent her away in a hurry with a bit of a scolding. After all, the plans for the shower were top secret. She gave us a little wave, then headed out the door to meet Phillip for dinner, with a promise that she would return in time for some cheesecake.

The bridesmaids were in good spirits. Even Dad seemed to be in a great frame of mind. On the other hand, he did head into the living room to get away from all the estrogen at our dining table after Mama and Grandma left for their ladies meeting at the church. I didn't blame him.

As we ate, I filled the girls in on the idea Cassie and I had come up with for the centerpieces.

“Each table will have three clear vases in different heights. We'll drop in marbles—pink, of course—and then add a silk magnolia blossom. On the day of the bridal shower, we'll fill each vase with water and place a floating candle on top. Simple, right?”

“Simple but beautiful.” My cousin jabbed her fork into her salad. “Best idea ever.”

“Cheaper than those centerpieces I'm having to rent for the wedding reception.” My father's voice rang out from the
living room. “Those suckers are twenty-five dollars apiece, and we don't even get to keep them.”

“Well, don't tell anyone, Dad, but we got all the supplies for these centerpieces at the dollar store. I've done my calculations, and it's going to cost less than six dollars per table.”

Was that a happy grunt we heard?

As I shared some other ideas, the girls chimed in, and before long ideas flowed like water. I hadn't had this much fun since . . . wow, I couldn't remember when.

By seven fifteen we'd finished our meal and prepped the table to work on the centerpieces. I gave each girl a specific task, then put them to work.

Cassie seemed a little preoccupied. “Okay, I just have to say I can't get over the fact that Sienna's not here yet.” She looked around the room, as if expecting the maid of honor to magically appear. “I mean, we knew she couldn't be here for dinner, but she promised she'd come by seven. She's really supposed to be in charge of the shower, you know?”

I knew, all right.

“She'd better get here quick.” Brianna dumped a handful of marbles into one of the vases. “I've got to write a paper for my psych class.”

“Write it about Sienna.” Cassie rolled her eyes. “You won't have to go far to find your information.”

That got a laugh out of everyone. Well, all but me. “We should probably stop taking aim at Sienna.”

Cassie sighed. “She's just such an easy target.”

“Maybe too easy. But she has her good points too. She's helping with the flowers. Did you know that? She even got Crystal a great discount through her aunt Catherine.”

Cassie reached for some marbles and rolled them around in her palm. “Did you have to go and say that? I was enjoying being mad at her.”

“I know. We all were.” I glanced at the clock. Seven thirty. Hmm.

“The groomsmen are coming by at eight for dessert,” Cassie told the other girls. “All except Tyler because of some school event. Anyway, we thought it would be fun to hang out with them.”

The moment she said the word
groomsmen
I thought of Derrick. I couldn't help but smile. Of course, he wasn't a groomsman. He was the best man. And what a great man he was turning out to be. My face heated up as I thought about his nickname for me: Southpaw. I glanced down at the silk flower in my left hand and giggled.

“What's so funny, Mari?” Brianna looked my way.

I snapped back to attention. “Oh, nothing. I think we'd better get busy. We've got to settle on our final plans for the bridal shower before everyone else gets here. That's the point of our little meeting tonight—besides making these centerpieces.”

My cousin kept looking at the clock on the dining room wall. I knew she was still fretting over Sienna's absence. By the time seven forty-five rolled around, we could deny reality no longer.

“Maybe I'd better check my messages.” I dug around inside my purse and came up with my phone. A quick glance down, and I groaned. I'd missed a text from her, all right.

“Let me guess.” Gillian rolled her eyes. “She's not coming.”

I shook my head. “She has a headache.”

“She
is
a headache.” Cassie laughed, but I still didn't join in. Not just because I was trying to set a good example, but because I realized just how painful her disinterest had become for Crystal.

I typed a response and then tossed the phone back into my purse. “Oh well. Her loss. She had no idea Derrick was coming tonight.”

“She doesn't know?” Gillian asked.

“She does now. I just told her.” I wanted to add that Sienna would no doubt have a miraculous recovery, but I had just advised we stop shooting arrows at her, hadn't I?

An awkward silence filled the room. I cleared my throat. “Let's go ahead and talk through our final plans for the shower. You all seemed to like the idea Cassie and I came up with for the tea party theme the best.”

Gillian clasped her hands together. “Yes, we loved it!” All the girls nodded.

“In addition to the centerpieces we just made, each table would have its own teapot and teacups and finger sandwiches cut out like teacups. We could also have a variety of teas and even some ornate cookies shaped like teapots. How does that sound? I even saw the cutest mini cupcakes online with chocolate-covered pretzels on the side that looked like handles. Get it? They look like teacups.”

Gillian gave me a hopeful look. “Sounds great, but who's going to make all that stuff?”

“We are.” I swept a hand toward them all. “I've been researching like crazy. Even bought the cookie cutters, just in case you did like the idea.”

“Have you ever made specialty cookies, Mari?” Brianna
gave me an admiring look. “I hope so, because I'm not a baker.”

“Me either.” Gillian shook her head.

“You know I'm terrible in the kitchen,” Cassie added. “So that leaves you to do the baking, Mari.” She gave me a confident look. “I'm sure you'll figure it out.”

“I'm willing to learn.” I spoke the words with determination. How hard could it be to make a cookie that looked like a teacup, anyway? Surely I could go on the Internet and figure out how to paint the cookies to look delicate and pretty.

“Making them yourself is cheaper than hiring someone.” My dad's voice sounded from the living room again. “Make the cookies, Mari.”

Cassie laughed. “Okay, so you're in charge of cookies. And the cupcakes.”

“I'm great with sandwiches.” Brianna dropped the last handful of pink marbles into a vase. “Put me in charge of food, okay?”

“And I love to decorate.” Gillian set a silk magnolia on top of the marbles. “We're having the shower at the church, right?”

“Right.” I nodded.

“I can take care of the invitations,” Cassie said. “I love doing stuff like that. Have you put together a guest list, Mari?”

“Weeks ago. It's on a spreadsheet on my computer.”

“Just like everything else for this wedding.” Cassie laughed. “You girls should see how organized she is. She's been such a big help to Crystal.”

“Your sister is blessed to have you.” Gillian gave me a smile.

I paused to think that through. The past few weeks with Crystal had been so much fun, and I'd learned a lot. By the time my own wedding came around I'd know just what to do. Of course, I'd never have a reception at the country club, but at least I'd know how to take care of the details. And maybe—just maybe—I'd have a maid of honor who cared as much about me as I cared about my sister.

“Have we lost you?” Cassie nudged me with her elbow, and I startled to attention.

“Oh, just thinking.”

“About Derrick?”

My face grew hot. “Why would you say that?”

“Just to see the expression on your face.” She grinned. “Now, what were we talking about?”

“Cookies.” I jumped right back into the shower plans. “And I saw the cutest teacup invitations online.” I stood to gather our leftover supplies. “I'm going to order them later tonight now that we're all in agreement on the tea party theme.”

Five minutes later I'd jotted down all the assignments. Gillian was particularly helpful when it came to shower games, which she'd done before.

The guys arrived just as we were boxing our creations. Derrick headed right for me, as if he had nothing better to do than be with me. Okay, maybe my imagination was running away with me, but how could I help myself with his gaze fixed on mine? I found myself drawn in by his confident stride, his engaging smile, and those gorgeous eyes.

“Hey, Southpaw.” Derrick flashed a smile. “Am I late to the party?”

“Only if you planned to help make these centerpieces.”

“Um, no thank you. I think my skills are better served on the ball field, not with glass vases and marbles.”

“I don't really know much about baseball.”

“Seriously?” His eyes widened. “Well, we'll have to remedy that, and soon. We're early in the season. Want to come to a game or two and see if it grows on you?”

“Sure.” I gave him a little shrug, feeling a little awkward for admitting I knew nothing about the sport he loved.

“Just hang around me, and I'm sure the love of the game will rub off on you.” A boyish wink followed.

Oh boy. The love of something was rubbing off on me, but it had nothing to do with baseball. A warm, funny conversation with this guy felt completely comfortable.

Before we could continue the conversation, my sister and Phillip arrived. I could tell from the pained expression on her face that something had gone wrong. No doubt it had something to do with his mother. The woman really seemed to be pulling Crystal's strings these days. She sighed as she walked past me, but she didn't say a word.

I excused myself from the conversation with Derrick and caught up with her in the kitchen, standing at the counter and eating a jumbo-sized slice of cheesecake.