The Wedding: A Faces of Evil Short Story Read Free Page A

never tell.”
    “Okay. We’re supposed to be at St. Paul’s by two, right?” Sylvia surveyed the faces around the island.
    Lil nodded. “Katherine has a limo picking us up at one-thirty.”
    “The groom and his party have a suite at the Tutwiler. They’re getting a limo, too,” Jess said. “They won’t be arriving at the cathedral until after three.”
    The Tutwiler, Birmingham’s historic hotel, was only a few blocks from St. Paul’s, but Katherine had insisted on taking care of all transportation needs for the entire wedding party. The reception would be held in the Tutwiler’s grand ballroom. From there, Jess and Dan would be whisked away to the airport for the flight to their weeklong honeymoon.
    “You’re all packed for the honeymoon?” Gina asked as she selected another slice of crunchy bacon.
    “We are.” Jess reached for another slice as well. “Everything’s at the Tutwiler. We’ll be able to change there before we leave.” She looked around the kitchen. “We won’t be back home for a whole week.” She had never stayed away from work for seven days. Her vacations had always been working ones or short visits with Lil and her family.
    Strangely enough the idea that she wouldn’t be
home
for all that time and wouldn’t see Bear bothered her the most. For the first time since she was ten years old, she felt a connection to a place.
    This was home
.
    “Did you get the nursery decorated?” Lori asked.
    Jess sighed. “We decided to wait until we get back. There’s just been too much to do with settling into the new house and pulling together a wedding in barely three months.”
    “Don’t worry,” Sylvia said with a mischievous glance at Jess, “Katherine will probably have it done by the time you get back.”
    Jess waved a finger. “No sarcastic remarks or thoughts about my soon-to-be mother-in-law. I live by that rule now.”
    The laughter that followed her announcement warmed Jess. She genuinely cherished these women.
    Maddie licked the milk from her upper lip. “I want make-up now.”
    “Princesses always go first,” Gina said, tapping the little girl’s nose.
    “Before the make-up,” Sylvia announced, “we have massages, facials, and the removal of any unsightly hair.”
    This was the first Jess had heard about a mini-spa—not that she was opposed, mind you. “I hope I wasn’t supposed to schedule those.”
    The doorbell chimed. Sylvia smiled. “That will be Antonio.”
    Uncertain what to expect, Jess and the other ladies, including Maddie, followed Sylvia to the front door.
    “Antonio.” Sylvia opened the door wider. “You’re timing is perfect as always.”
    “It’s a pleasure to be at your service, Dr. Baron.” Antonio gifted Sylvia with an air kiss.
    “Come in, gentlemen.” Sylvia waved her arm and Jess along with the rest of the bridal party backed out of the way.
    Antonio, followed by four other muscular, good-looking men of Latino descent, swaggered into the entry hall.
    Sylvia hung an arm around Jess’s shoulders. “This is the bride, gentlemen. She needs a nice, deep massage before her facial.”
    “I want Sylvia to be my wedding planner,” Lori murmured.
    Jess smiled. Leave it to Sylvia to keep things interesting.
     
    Noon
    The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.
    “That’s probably the delivery guy!” Lori shouted from the kitchen. “I’ll get it.”
    Jess was absolutely certain she could not eat—unless it was chocolate. Thankfully breakfast had stayed down, but if she dared consume a bite now she was doomed. Her nerves were frayed. She stared at her reflection and heaved a big sigh.
    “This is the happiest day of your life so far.” And it was. It really was. She wanted it to be perfect. She wanted it to be all that Katherine Burnett had dreamed it would be, and more importantly, she wanted it be filled with memories she and Dan would cherish forever. The facial and massage had been wonderfully relaxing. All would be exactly as