Epilogue
Throwing out all my old bridesmaids dresses was much more emotional for me than I thought it would be. The lime green one that had looked horrid on everyone, the pink one with the black flowers all over it, the minidress I thought would show off everyone’s goods – they all had to go. There was no need to keep them anymore and no room for them in our new place. Linaya would be transforming the old dresses into new creations for the upcoming prom season as she launched her own designs called “Savoir Savannah.”
After the honeymoon, Orlando and I had moved into the small house adjacent to The Promenade. It had once been the gardener’s home, but had long sat vacant. While we planned our wedding, we had also remodeled the gardener’s house to our liking. It had two bedrooms and one bathroom, perfect for newlyweds. Once we were ready to move out, we could rent it for bridal parties or wedding nights. It had worked wonderfully for our own.
The honeymoon had been to St. Lucia where we basked in the tropical island sun and lazed the days away while Cordelia, aided by Linaya and Aaron, handled The Promenade back home. I suggested to Orlando that we open a second location for The Promenade in the Caribbean. He wasn’t opposed to the idea.
I had decided that my days as a professional bridesmaid were behind me. I had a handful of contracts left to fulfill, but I wouldn’t be taking on any more bridesmaid-for-hire jobs. Being the event coordinator for The Promenade was more than a full-time job. And since I had married into the family, it was now my business as well. Soon I hoped I would be able to hire an assistant.
Orlando popped his head into my office on a rainy, gloomy Wednesday evening. “Ready?”
We still maintained our weekly Wednesday dates. Cordelia had already told us she would be keeping her Wednesdays open in the future for babysitting jobs. Not just yet, I had told her.
“Where did you want to go tonight?” I asked as I shut my laptop for the night. There was nothing more pressing than my handsome husband with his deep chocolate eyes.
“Actually,” he said, taking my hand as I stood, “I thought we’d order delivery to the house and watch a movie.”
A crack of thunder and a flash of light made me jump. “I don’t think I’ll argue with that tonight. What movie?” I leaned into him and inhaled the scent of his cologne.
“Gladiator?” His mouth turned up as he crinkled his nose.
Of course he would want to watch an action-packed man movie. I sighed. “If that’s what you want, sure.”
“You know you like seeing Russell Crowe in that gladiator outfit,” he teased.
True, but I would never tell him that. “I’d like to see you in that gladiator outfit.” I kissed him softly as he pulled me close.
“Oh, I will get right on that. Gladiator cosplay.” He winked. “We can both get in on that cosplay action.”
We both laughed as we walked outside and into the rain. Thankfully it wasn’t a torrential downpour, but it was still steady. The house was only about fifty yards from the main building and we didn’t mind getting a little wet. We changed into comfortable clothes, ordered tandoori chicken and rice, and settled in to watch the movie.
My days of being a bridesmaid were now forever behind me, but I would revel in my role of forever being a bride to the dashing Mr. Daniels.