“I’m sure he told you his side.”
“Well, why don’t you tell me yours.”
She couldn’t look over at Allison because her makeup artist was currently applying lashes. “What’s the point, Allison? You’re not really interested in my take on anything. Mitchell and I split because we wanted different things. Are you happy with him?”
“Of course I am. We’re both doing amazing at our jobs, we have a house we love and we’re thinking of having a baby soon.”
“I’m happy for you. And for him.”
Allison’s sniff was her only response. Brenna would have rolled her eyes but then her lashes would end up on her eyebrows, so she did a mental eye roll instead.
It got quiet then, which to Brenna was a slice of utter heaven. Once makeup was finished, Brenna had to wait for someone to free up to do her hair, so she wandered. Allison was off in a corner on her phone so Brenna went over to see how Esther was doing. She’d already had her makeup done and was currently chatting with her mom and Greta while the stylist did her hair.
“Can I get you anything, Esther?” Brenna asked.
“Oh, you’re so sweet. I’d love a glass of ice water. I went a little hard on the mimosas and I don’t want to face-plant walking down the aisle.”
Brenna laughed. “Ice water coming right up.”
She went over to the bar and fixed a large glass of ice water, wrapped a napkin around it so it wouldn’t drip, then brought it back over to Esther.
“Thank you. What would I do without you?”
“I have no idea.”
Esther grinned and squeezed her hand.
“How about some fruit and cheese? We need to keep your blood sugar level today.”
“Brenna’s right, honey,” Paula said. “Lots of small snacks today.”
“And then tonight, I get to eat lobster and filet.”
“That’s right,” Brenna said. “I’ll be right back with a plate.”
She went over to the table where food had been laid out and selected some of the fruits and cheeses.
“Stuffing your face, I see,” Allison said.
So it was going to be like this.
“Actually, it’s for Esther. She needs to stay hydrated—not with alcohol—and well fed today with nutritious food. And maybe if you’d checked on her instead of spending all your time on your phone, you’d have taken care of the bride, since you are her matron of honor.”
Brenna left Allison standing there with her mouth open and about to say something that Brenna didn’t care to hear.
She delivered the plate to Esther, then was called to have her hair done, so she slid into the chair, grateful that she’d be there by herself and wouldn’t have to deal with her nemesis.
She’d had enough of her. But she did notice that Allison hovered by Esther, which was a good thing. Maybe now she’d actually do her job as matron of honor. Though Brenna didn’t mind looking after the bride-to-be. Not only was Esther her friend, but Brenna and her sisters always pitched in on wedding days to help Honor, so taking care of the bride was a natural thing to Brenna.
The stylist curled her hair, then swept it into an updo. It wasn’t Brenna’s normal style by any means, but she had to admit it looked decent. The stylist left a curl dangling along the side of her face, and with the makeup, which hadn’t been overdone like she’d feared, she looked . . . pretty damned good, she had to admit.
It was getting late so once everyone’s hair was finished, they had to get dressed and make their way over to the vineyard. It would take a while to get everyone into their dresses. Everyone except the bride, who was going to get dressed at the vineyard. And Allison, of course, who had to be made to feel as special as Esther for some ridiculous reason.
Once Esther’s mom was dressed, she called Esther’s dad, Ron, who showed up at the suite to drive Esther and Paula to the vineyard. Along with Allison, of course. The rest of the bridesmaids would be over there later.
Brenna made sure to get dressed so she could drive over and help out in any way she could.
“Oh, Brenna,” Esther said. “Would you mind hanging out here to make sure everyone is dressed and doesn’t forget jewelry or anything? I was counting on Allison to do that, but since she wanted to dress at the vineyard . . .”
Brenna knew exactly what Esther wasn’t saying. That her matron of honor had let her down. She nodded right away. “Of course. I’ll make sure it all gets taken care of.”
Because Allison couldn’t do her job right, Brenna would pitch in.
Esther squeezed her hand. “Thank you so much. One thing I don’t have to worry about because I know you have it.”
After they left, she checked in on each of the bridesmaids as they got dressed, noting earrings and bracelets and boots—because this was a cowboy wedding, after all. Once everyone was ready, Brenna double-checked the room to make sure nothing was left behind.
They’d get their bouquets at the vineyard so she didn’t have to worry about that. When she got the call that the limo was ready, she herded them all downstairs and they all piled into the car.
“What’s up with Allison, thinking she’s so special?” Andrea asked.
“Yeah.” Marie smoothed her hands over her dress. “I don’t get it. Shouldn’t she be with us? I mean Esther has her mom and her mother-in-law and the bridal venue people.”
“I heard she made a fuss about having her own changing room at the venue,” Andi said.
“Nuh-uh,” Sabra said. “Why?”
Andi shrugged. “No idea. But you know Allison.”
“I definitely know Allison,” Marie said. “And I believe it.”
“What do you know, Brenna?” Andi asked.
All sets of eyes focused on her. No way was Brenna adding to this conversation. “I don’t have any idea other than she left with Esther.”
“That’s too bad,” Hilary said. “We need some good gossip to chew on.”
They all laughed, and, fortunately, that was the end of the Allison conversation and they moved on to the topic of everyone’s cute cowgirl boots. The last thing Brenna wanted was to be accused of talking shit about her nemesis.
If the other bridesmaids saw Allison as a pain in the ass, that was fine with Brenna, but they could all form their own conclusions about her without Brenna’s help.
Honor met the car at the driveway and Erin escorted the women to the waiting area, where there’d be snacks and refreshments.