Chapter 2

The tension in the dressing room was pretty thick. Lauren hurried over to defuse the situation.

She turned to me and said, "Ms. Carter, I'm really sorry. I should've checked with you first today.

"Let me get started on your makeup right away. Please, take a deep breath and have a seat over here."

But Serena wasn't backing down. She shot Lauren a glare and said, "Seriously, what's wrong with you? My makeup's not even done yet."

Just as Lauren found herself stuck in a tight spot and the tension in the dressing room reached a breaking point, Michael appeared in the doorway.

He rushed inside, looking anxious. "What's wrong, Joliet? Is there an emergency?"

I glanced at him and asked the same thing I'd just asked Lauren. "Michael, did you tell Lauren to come half an hour early and do Serena's makeup first?"

Michael's frown relaxed at my question. "Oh, that's it? I thought something big was going down."

"Answer me!" I growled.

Michael flinched, startled by my tone. He nodded without thinking. "Yeah, I told Lauren to do it.

"Serena's always been the type to drag her feet, ever since she was a kid.

"I was worried she'd make us late, so I told Lauren to start with her."

I took a deep breath. "Michael, do you realize that on the wedding day, the bride's makeup always comes first?"

It took me ages to book Lauren, and I'd specifically arranged another makeup artist just for the bridesmaids.

I'd told Michael and Serena about all this before.

Michael scratched his head. "It's just makeup, Joliet. No big deal.

"Does it really matter who goes first? Serena showed up earlier, so just let her get her makeup done first."

Before I could say anything, Serena jumped in. "Joliet, I've never been married, so I honestly didn't know there were all these wedding makeup rules.

"Oh, man, this is all on me. I just didn't want to slow you guys down.

"I never thought it would turn into such a big deal.

"Hey, how about this? Didn't you book another makeup artist?

"Why not let that one do your bridal makeup first? Would that be okay with you?"

I looked at Serena like she'd lost her mind.

On the wedding day, the bride always got her makeup done first, no exceptions.

I wasn't buying for a second that she didn't get it.

And from the way she talked, I was sure I'd already told her about booking a makeup artist just for bridesmaids.

I turned to look at Michael.

But Michael sided with Serena and said, "Joliet, Serena really didn't mean anything by it.

"Why not just do what she suggested? Let's make do and don't hold it against her."

I was so disappointed.

My own fiancé was siding with the bridesmaid right in front of me. Who wouldn't be upset?

So I turned on Michael, "Michael, 'making do' isn't an option at my wedding.

"If you're okay with that, maybe we shouldn't even bother getting married."

Michael was stunned for a moment after I said that. Then panic flickered across his face. "Joliet, come on, you're just talking out of anger again.

"The invitations are already sent out, and the guests are almost here. How can you call off the wedding out of nowhere?"

I gave Michael a cold stare. "So what was that supposed to mean?"

Michael rubbed his forehead, looking helpless. "I just think, on our wedding day, there's no point in getting upset over something so trivial.

"Serena's makeup is already half done.

"You can't seriously expect her to wipe it all off now, right? Why don't we just let it go and make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch?"

Lauren, afraid of losing the gig and damaging her reputation, also tried to calm me down and persuade me.

Seeing me sitting there with a cold, silent stare, Serena stepped forward again. The swagger she had earlier was nowhere to be found now.

She spoke with a pout, "Joliet, please, don't get upset with Michael over something so trivial.

"I honestly didn't think things would end up like this.

"How about we just do what Michael suggested? I'll go wipe off my makeup right now.

"That way, you'll still be the first to get your makeup done.

"It's my fault for not knowing any better. Please, don't let this mess ruin your special day."

For some reason, she practically spat out the words "special day", like she was making a point.

I was about to tell Serena to go ahead and take off her makeup, but Michael stepped in and pulled her aside.

He said, "It's not your fault if you didn't know. Don't beat yourself up over this.

"Go ahead and get changed. I'll handle things with Joliet."

Serena nodded obediently, accepting Michael's suggestion.

She quietly went to the changing room.

But as Serena turned away, I could clearly see the contempt and sarcasm in her eyes.