Take This Man by Kelli Maine Page A

your makeup.”
    “She better not be ruining her makeup!” Shannon, my best friend from home and college roommate, said in the doorway. “Sorry. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
    “No.” I stood up, waving my hands toward my face to dry my eyes. “You’re fine. I think I need a touch-up, though.”
    “I’ll grab my sewing kit while she’s busy with you,” Mom said, straightening her tea-length raw silk skirt, which rustled when she walked.
    Shannon strode in the room as Mom strode out. My bridal room was starting to resemble Grand Central Station with all the coming and going. “What do you think?” Shannon asked, twirling in her bridesmaid gown. Since there were only two of them, I let Maddie, Merrick’s son’s girlfriend—no. Brother. MJ was Merrick’s brother. It was still difficult to convince my mind that MJ wasn’t Merrick’s son after all. I let Maddie and Shannon pick out their own dresses as long as they coordinated. Shannon’s dress was like her personality—flashy, a bright yellow-green that set off her blond hair with an uneven hemline and shiny, fitted, strapless bodice. I’d seen a picture of it on the hanger she’d sent me from her phone, but this was the first time I’d seen her wearing it. “You’re stunning, Shan,” I said, giving her a hug.
    “Nothing compared to the bride.” She held my hand and spun me around. “Hope Merrick doesn’t rip all that lace when he gets you alone tonight!”
    I kind of hoped he would, except that the dress was a family heirloom.
    “Oh my God, Rachael!” Maddie swooped into the room and put one arm around my waist and one around Shannon’s. “You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen! Merrick is going to die!”
    Her dress was a rich, emerald green that accentuated her brilliant blue eyes and dark hair. She wore jewel tones amazingly well. The yellow and burnt orange calla lilies tied with ivory ribbon around their long stems would be perfect with each of their choices. “I’ll be the most beautiful bride until you walk down the aisle, Mads.” I took her hand and squeezed. Knowing MJ’s college graduation was right around the corner, I doubted it would be long before she had a diamond on her finger.
    “What about me?” Shannon teased. “Don’t you think I’ll be a beautiful bride someday?” She made a gagging sound and laughed. “I can’t even talk about being a bride without getting sick. Forget it! You two can wear the white. I’ll stick to the bridesmaid role. More variety that way.”
    “I’m guessing she’s not talking about the dresses?” Maddie said, grinning.
    “Uh, no,” Shannon said, smirking. “Definitely the men. Speaking of… are Riley and Jesse going to be at this shindig?”
    Shannon had experienced a night of, well, debauchery with Riley and Jesse in the past. I wanted no part of another meet-up with that trio. “They’ll be around,” I said as noncommittally as possible.
    Shannon rolled her eyes and grabbed her makeup bag. “Whatever. You’re no fun.” She patted a tufted wingback chair. “Sit.”
    “One hour left,” Maddie said, an edge of a squeal to her voice. “I’m going to find MJ and make sure they’re ready.” She gave Shannon a wink.
    “I’ll be right down to help,” Shannon said, almost conspiratorially. They’d probably done something crazy, like ordered a cake shaped like a turtle for Turtle Tear.
    “What are you two up to?” I asked.
    “What do you mean?” Maddie said, then darted out the bedroom door.
    “Shan?” I said, giving her the eye.
    “Oh, don’t be so surprised that we’d want to do something special for your big day.”
    “By special, you don’t mean crazy, right?”
    Shannon made an effort to look like she was in deep concentration. “Define crazy.”
    I shoved her arm and we both laughed. “I’m trusting you,” I said.
    “When have you ever not been able to trust me?” She unscrewed the lid from her eyeliner. “Okay, not including the times I