25
Chapter Twenty-five
After a few pokes, much finagling, and a few prayers, Betty finally found a solution to the dress problem. She let out an inch or so on each side, took the pieces of fabric she’d cut from the hem and sewed them in under the arm panels…where no one was the wiser, but allowed Samantha the room to breathe.
Samantha put the dress back on the hanger, thankful to be back in her t-shirt and shorts, and zipped it up in the garment bag to hand back to Betty. She opened the bathroom door to Renee’s room, anxious to find out what was next, and found her lying on the bed talking to someone on the phone. She hung the dress back on the clothes rack, trying to be quiet, then busied herself looking at all the wedding things strewn all over the chairs and tables.
There were small boxes which had various treats inside. Miniature cupcakes, chocolates, and other beautiful confections. Bottles of champagne with Renee’s and Phin’s names on the side, among all sorts of other favors.
For the first time, Samantha realized all she’d missed.
In a matter of days her best friend was getting married… She knew it was coming. Knew it would happen whether she was ready for it or not, but seeing these things thrown all over the room made her realize her life would go on, even though Renee wasn’t there. There would be parties and babies that neither of them would be around for. And that was heartbreaking.
Samantha walked along the long table, looking at all the beautiful details she knew her friend had agonized over. Some she remembered, from photos she’d sent through text over the past months, but some were totally unfamiliar, because life couldn’t be captured digitally. She stopped at the name cards lined up in a row. With burnt edges that made them look rustic and antique. Tristan’s name was on the very top.
She picked it up, running her finger along the gold script lettering, realizing she missed him already. Five days ago she’d barely given him a second thought, but somehow on this short trip, she’d gotten accustomed to talking to him whenever she wanted. To him being there, listening, always paying attention, always watching her.
She placed the card back on the table, already craving his company, but at the same time, glad he wasn’t around. Because there was no way she could hide how she felt about him, especially from Renee. She took a deep breath, hoping she’d be able to keep her feelings under wraps, and turned around to see Renee watching her.
Renee had finally hung up the phone and was rising from the bed when she spoke. “It’s funny,” she began. “It was so important for me to do all this stuff in the beginning, but now I’m sick of it. I can’t wait to be married so I can give it away and never see it again.” She laughed.
She came to a stop beside Samantha, who laced her arm through Renee’s arm and rested her head on her shoulder. It was their signature position, and one that brought her comfort now.
“I’m sorry I missed so much, Nay. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here.” And I’m sorry I’m keeping secrets from you, but it’s better this way.
Renee shook her head. “Don’t be silly.”
Samantha straightened, having to clear her throat that was thick with emotion. “I always thought we’d do all this stuff together. I thought—” But she stopped herself, because she didn’t want to make this into a big Samantha pity party. “You did a good job. I couldn’t have done better, and that’s saying something.”
Her best friend grinned, then bit her lip and tugged her toward the door. “Come on, it’s time.”
“For what?” Samantha asked, suddenly feeling uneasy.
“To cut,” she whispered in her ear, mimicking Betty’s accent.
Samantha laughed, letting her head fall back to her shoulders, but allowing her best friend to pull her toward the door. There was no sense in arguing. Renee was going to win anyway. Just like she always did.
26
Chapter Twenty-six
The salon was in the hotel lobby, just past the elevators on the right hand side. There were a half dozen white salon chairs all facing full-length mirrors, and surprisingly, only one was taken. They were seated right away, given a menu of complimentary appetizers and beverages, and soon Renee was whisked away to another room for a facial, leaving Samantha on her own to look through style magazines.
She should not have been trusted with style magazines. The last time she’d picked out her own hair, she’d ended up with minuscule bangs and a perm. She rocked forward in her seat, looking through the other reading material, when a buzzing noise sounded from her purse. She instantly grinned, knowing full well who it was, and fetched her bag from the hanger on the wall.