Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0036

The old me would have been outraged and hurt by Amanda’s dress, but the current me was only annoyed. Was she trying to pull something to embarrass me, or was it just an attempt to get David’s attention for herself?

There was no way I could know unless I asked her. That would be a mistake, though. I didn’t want to accidentally reveal too much. Amanda was already suspicious of how quickly I had changed, and I couldn’t let on that there was more to it.

Still, I couldn’t walk down the aisle wearing a dress almost identical to Amanda’s maid of honor dress–it would look strange.

“What’s wrong, dear?” my mother asked.

I turned my attention to her. She had been helping the caterers set up the kitchen to begin cooking, and I hadn’t heard her approaching.

“Nothing,” I said.

“Don’t lie to me,” she replied. “I can tell something’s bothering you. What is it?”

I twisted my hands together as I tried to think of what to say. I was never good at lying to my mother. Besides, was a problem I had to address, and it might be easier with her help.

“There’s an issue with my dress,” I said.

She frowned deeply.

“Doesn’t it fit correctly?” she asked.

I shook my head. “The dress fits fine. The problem is that it’s too similar to Amanda’s ”

this

“Then we tell Amanda that she has to wear something else, my mother said, glancing toward the staircase with a displeased look on her face.

“We can’t do that,” I replied quickly. “She would never be able to find something else in time, and I simply can’t have the wedding without her. She’s my best friend.”

My mother looked thoughtful. “This is a problem,” she said “You’re the bride. You must stand out today. We want to make sure that all eyes are on you. Besides, it will look strange if you and Amanda are wearing matching dresses.” +

“I thought so as well,” I said, “but I’m not sure what to do about it.”

“We’ll simply have to get you another dress,” she said matter–of–factly.

a simple matter, but finding another wedding dress

do that?” I

to me,” she said. “Nothing’s going to ruin my

this happy, confident version of my mother. She was never the same after Father fell

happened, and I was going to do everything in my power

I said

Chapter 0036

+25 BONUS

done? We’re running out of time, and we need

agreement. She had no idea how right she

the bartenders and the house staff already, I said. “The tables are all set up, as are the chairs. Everything has its cover, and

prepared,” my mother added. “The cake

left to prepare?” I asked, reaching for the list I

my mother said

time, but I need to make sure that everything else

of that,” she pointed out. “I’m more

but it’s my wedding, and I feel like it’s my responsibility,”

and pulled me in for a light kiss on the forehead. “When did you become so

replied in a

myself. She had no idea of everything I had gone through in the last few years, and I

keep

we’ve covered all of our bases,” my mother said, and I hate to see you so stressed out on a day that’s supposed to be about celebration. I

asked.

“All I’ve had is tea,”

put her arm around my shoulders and started leading me toward the

make a few phone calls to arrange for

but nodded. She was right. If I let myself get into the stress as I had in

was, the first time around, I had gotten drunk so easily because my stomach had been completely empty. My nerves had been too much for me to even consider taking the time to eat, and so after only a couple of

that to

bustling with a dozen people working around the room–chopping vegetables, frying meat on the stovetop, and mixing large bowls of

of the countertop filled with breakfast pastries and a coffee pot standing next to it, smell of freshly brewed coffee

walked me to that corner and pointed at the delicious–looking food.

with the