“Well, of course. I wanted to look perfect for Crystal.” Sienna looked absolutely devastated that we didn’t get it.
“I wanted you to be here for me, Sienna. I couldn’t care less whether you look perfect.” Crystal squared her shoulders and stepped into place directly in front of Sienna. I noticed my sister’s hands trembling. I didn’t blame her for being angry. “We spent the morning together. We helped each other with hair and makeup. That was half the fun. But you missed all of it.”
“I’m here now.” Sienna gave her a little pouting look. “I can help you put on your gown.”
“You’re not even dressed yet. We’re supposed to be ready for pictures at ten after one.”
“I can do it. I’m fast. I left my dress hanging in the ladies’ room. I’ll go put it on there.” Sienna took off running.
Cassie shook her head. “Wow. Well, I guess we should be glad she showed up at all, right?”
“Whatever.” My sister rolled her eyes, then looked at me.
“Don’t let it get to you, Crystal. At least she wanted to look great for your big day. There is that.”
“Probably still hoping Derrick will look her way.” Crystal groaned. “I’m sorry, Mari. That was rude. And hurtful. Will you forgive me?”
I shrugged. “Nothing to forgive. You’re probably right.”
“I have it on good authority he’s only got eyes for you now.” Crystal gave me a reassuring nod.
About ten minutes later, we gave up waiting on Sienna and helped Crystal into her wedding gown. I’d never seen a more radiant bride. The gown fit just right, accentuating her tiny waistline. The beading on the bodice took my breath away, but the full skirt sent me over the moon.
“Oh, Crystal!” Brianna clasped her hands to her chest. “You’re picture perfect.”
“Exquisite!” Cassie added.
Crystal gazed at her reflection in the full-length mirror, tears brimming.
“Oh no you don’t!” Gillian reached for a tissue. “Don’t you dare ruin that beautiful makeup job. No tears. Promise?”
Crystal had just nodded when Sienna came rushing into the room wearing her dress. Only it wasn’t her dress, at least not the one she’d purchased that day at the bridal shop. The one she wore today was shorter and a different shade of pink. Worst of all, the shoulder straps were missing, definitely not an appropriate look for someone as buxom as Sienna.
“Sienna?” My sister turned away from the mirror and gave her a blank stare. “What in the world are you wearing?”
“What do you mean?” Sienna checked her appearance in the full-length mirror. “It’s my maid of honor dress, silly.”
“That’s not the same dress. It looks nothing like the one you bought.” Crystal pointed at all the rest of us bridesmaids. “You look nothing like them.”
“Well, I’m the maid of honor. I’m supposed to look different. A little fancier. You know.” She nudged her way in front of the bride to look at her reflection in the full-length mirror.
“Wouldn’t that be my decision?” My sister balled up her fists and placed them on her hips. “What did you do, go back and get another dress?”
“Nope. Just had that pink thing altered a little.”
“A little?” We all asked in unison.
“Well, I had them raise the hemline. That mid-calf look is not good on me. And I think I look better in a strapless dress, too, so I had the straps removed.”
DoubleD’s with no straps. Oh dear. I sensed the whole top could come tumbling down at a moment’s notice.
“That’s not even the same shade of pink.” Crystal’s complexion was looking mighty pink too.
“Well, I meant to talk to you about that.” Sienna wrinkled her nose and gave my sister a little shrug. “I’ve never looked good in cotton-candy pink, so I asked the alterations lady to dye it a darker shade. Since I forgot to tell you, I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.”
“Wouldn’t notice a hot-pink mini-skirted maid of honor with a strapless dress? Are you kidding me?”
“Everyone will notice I’m different from the others and know for sure I’m the maid of honor. So that’s a good thing, right? Isn’t that the point? I need to be different.”
“She’s different, all right.” Gillian sighed and went back to work on my sister’s wedding gown, fixing the bustle.
Crystal closed her eyes, and I could see her counting silently. Her lips moved as she mouthed out, “One, two, three, four . . .”
Not that Sienna seemed to notice. On and on she went, talking about herself. Not a word about how beautiful Crystal looked in her wedding gown. All conversation was focused squarely on herself.