Say Forever(39)

"So where are you two headed?" Tia asks while she eyes me suspiciously.

I look back at Grace, willing her to read the meaning behind my pleading gaze. Please don't tell her where we're going.



"Maid of honor dress shopping," Grace says with a little too much perkiness.

Damn. I cringe as I warily eye Tia.

She clasps her hands together and squeals. "Oh, you'll make a lovely maid of honor."

Grace beams at her. "Thanks."

Poor girl. She's totally oblivious to the fact that she's fallen into the snake pit of doom.

"Come in, dear. I was just finishing up the kitchen." Tia steps aside and motions toward the living room, as if this is her apartment. She smiles as my unsuspecting friend takes a seat on the sofa.

I sit beside Grace and nudge her knee. When Grace looks at me, I try again to warn her by making subtle overtures toward Tia as she sits across from us. Other than running out into the stairwell and pulling on the fire alarm, I don't know what else to do. I'm hoping Grace will understand my meaning and think of something to get us out of here.

Tia crosses one ankle over the other and eyes me pointedly. "Christina, did you notice Marie seems upset?"

I try to swallow the tension that clogs my throat like a lump of clay. "I noticed," I say dryly.

"You have to understand," Tia says with a dramatic sigh, "she and Andrés were very close growing up. I think she's hurt you haven't asked her to be a bridesmaid yet."

I gasp. "A bridesmaid?" She can't be fucking serious.

"Of course. She was the only girl cousin in their group. All of Andrés's other cousins are going to be groomsmen. She'll be left out if she's not in the wedding."

Grace clears her throat beside me, and I can tell by the way she fidgets in her seat that she finally understands the trap we've fallen into.

"Andrés and I discussed this." I try my hardest to keep my tone even, but I can't help the note of desperation that slips into my voice. "He's only asking Cesar to stand up with him. I was hoping for a small bridal party. Honestly, I don't want any bridesmaids other than Grace." I squeeze my best friend's hand, thankful when she scoots closer and squeezes back. " Besides, I don't think Marie wants to be in my wedding, anyway."

Tia gapes at me like I've grown a second head. "Of course she does."

As if on cue, Marie walks out of my bedroom. She smooths down her hair while fixing us all with a serene expression. She's not fooling me. I know the bitch that lurks beneath the façade.

Tia turns in her seat and angles her head toward her. "Marie, do you want to be a bridesmaid in your cousin's wedding?"

Marie shrugs, and I watch her knuckles whiten as she clutches a little black purse in front of her. "Sure."

My whole body tenses up when Marie looks over at me, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. I squeeze Grace's hand so tight, she gasps.

Tia turns back to me. "Then it's all settled. Should we follow you to the fitting or go in one car?"





Chapter Thirteen



Christina

Luckily, I'd forgotten to remove artificial flowers and other props from the back of my car, so Tia and Marie have to follow me in Tia's SUV. Tia says she's not good with her new navigation system and she tries to make us go with her. Thankfully, Grace makes up some story about getting motion sickness in big trucks. I fill Grace in on all the details as Marie and Tia follow us. By the time we get to the dress shop, Grace is seething with anger and ready to punch Marie in the face.

A physical confrontation is the last thing I need right now, so after I talk my best friend off the ledge, we get out of the car and walk through the parking lot to the bridal shop. That's when I notice Tia's truck isn't in sight.

"Oops," Grace says with mock innocence as she tosses her halo of hair over one shoulder. "I must have lost them."

But just as we're walking into the shop, my shoulders fall when I see Tia's big silver truck stopped at the light across the street. Mom and Nora have already taken over a corner in the rear of the store, leaning back in oversized chairs and drinking some bubbly concoctions while the saleslady piles sample gowns on a rack in front of them. Grace halts like she's run into a brick wall and makes a gagging sound while gaping at the dresses. I do a double take when I see the hideous array of gaudy colors, and I'm wondering if a rainbow vomited all over the dress rack.

"Christina, darling," Nora calls as she waves us over.

I trudge toward them, having to pull Grace along while she makes more gagging and choking sounds. Christmas music filters in from the speakers above, and I swear it's louder than last time. I thought Christmas was over already.

Nora doesn't bother standing up as she blows air kisses at me and Grace.