Midnight Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

the night at Sunny’s parents’ house after the rehearsal dinner. Even still, sheremembered thinking it was a little early when Glen kissed her goodnight that evening.
    “I’m going out with the boys for a nightcap, then home,” he said.
    “Is everything all right?” she asked.
    “Sure. Fine.” His smile was flat, she knew things were not fine.
    “You’re not driving, are you?”
    “Russ has the keys. It’s fine.”
    “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” She remembered so vividly that she laid her palm against his handsome cheek. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
    He didn’t move his head, but his eyes had darted briefly away. “Me, too.”
    When Russ came over to her to say good-night, she had asked, “What’s bothering Glen?”
    “Oh, he’ll be fine.”
    “But what is it?”
    Russ had laughed a bit uncomfortably. “Y’know, even though you two have been together a long time, lived together and everything, it’s still a pretty big step for a guy. For both of you, I realize. But guys… I don’t know what it is about us—I was a little jittery the day before my wedding. And it was absolutely what I wanted, no doubt, but I was still nervous. I don’t know if it’s the responsibility, the lifestyle change…”
    “What changes?” she asked. “Besides that we’re going to take a nice trip and write a lot of thank-you notes?”
    “I’m just saying… I’ve been in a bunch of weddings, including my own, and every groom I’ve ever known gets a little jumpy right before. Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy him a drink on the way home, make sure he getsall tucked in. You’ll be on your way to Aruba before you know it.” Then he had smiled reassuringly.
    “Will you ask him to call me to say good-night?” she asked.
    “Sure. But if he’s slurring by then, don’t hold it against me!”
    She’d been up late talking to Mary; they’d opened another bottle of wine. By the time they fell asleep it was the wee hours and they’d slept soundly. In the morning when she checked her cell phone, she found a text from Glen that had come in at three in the morning. Going to bed. Talk to you tomorrow.
    She wanted to talk to him, but she thought it would probably be better if he slept till noon, especially if there was anything to sleep off, so he’d be in good shape for the ceremony. All she wanted was for the wedding to be perfect! She had many bridely things to do and was kept busy from brunch getting a manicure and pedicure, surrounded by the women in her family and her girlfriends.
    The New Year’s Eve wedding had been Sunny’s idea. It had been born of a conversation with the girls about how they’d never had a memorable New Year’s Eve—even when they had steady guys, were engaged or even married. Oh, there’d been a few parties, but they hadn’t been special in any way. Sunny thought it would be fantastic—a classy party to accompany her wedding, something for everyone to remember. An unforgettable event.
    Little did she know.
    She’d been so busy all day, she hadn’t worried that she never heard from Glen. She assumed he was as occupied with his guys as she was with her girls. In fact, ithadn’t really bothered her until about five, still a couple of hours till the wedding. She called him and when he didn’t pick up, she left him a voice mail that she loved him, that she was so happy, that soon they would be married and off on a wonderful honeymoon.
    It’s very hard for a photographer to choose a photographer; almost no one was going to measure up to Sunny’s expectations. But the very well known Lin Hui was trying her best, and started snapping shots as soon as the girls showed up at the church with hairdressers and professional makeup artists in tow. Her camera flashed at almost every phase of preparation and in addition captured special memories—shiny, strappy heels against flowers, female hands clutching white satin, mothers of the bride and groom embracing and dabbing each