The bridal suite was a flurry of white silk, champagne flutes, and enough hairspray to punch a hole in the ozone layer. Vanessa sat in the center of it all like a beautiful, blonde queen, while an army of professionals worked to make her perfect for the cameras.
"Elena!" She waved me over, her face glowing with excitement and what I was beginning to recognize as something sharper underneath. "Come sit with me while they finish my makeup. We need to talk."
The other bridesmaids were scattered around the room—Tiffany getting her nails touched up, Bree arguing with the hair stylist about the placement of her extensions. None of them were paying attention to us.
Perfect for the conversation I dreaded having.
I perched on the edge of the settee next to Vanessa's makeup chair, watching the a
