Meg leaned in and sniffed a fragrant bud. “Nope. They’re from Jim Lewis.”

Gabi tossed her head with laughter. “Maybe he is trying for his next wife after all.”

Judy scratched her head. “Who is Jim Lewis?”

Chapter Seventeen

“You remember Shannon Wentworth.” Meg stepped into her client’s photography studio with Gabi right behind her.

“Yes, of course. You and your new husband were guests of ours earlier this year.”

“Yes . . . I’m sorry but I forgot your name.”

“Gabriella Masini. Val’s sister.”

Shannon shook Gabi’s hand and offered a gracious smile. “We had a wonderful time on your island.”

“It’s my brother’s, but thank you. I like to think I help in some way.”

“How is the political campaigning?” Meg asked once the introductions were out of the way.

“Exhausting. Not to mention fattening. I swear, there are more dinners than there are days in the week.”

Shannon wore her long hair down her back in a slick ponytail. Her tiny waist and petite frame weren’t something Meg could easily imagine overweight. “Eat a celery stick, I’m sure that will even things out.”

Shannon understood Meg’s humor and slapped her arm. “What brings you to my neck of Beverly Hills?”

The studio Shannon had moved to after her contractual marriage ceremony was located in the center of Beverly Hills, just off Rodeo. The high-end real estate was part of the deal. She could shoot candid or even not so candid pictures of the exclusive clientele that lunched on Rodeo just to be seen. She also accepted the contracts of others who wanted their children’s graduation pictures, baby pictures, or wedding photographs taken by a professional. What was even better, Shannon always wanted to mentor new graduates with talent. Her studio afforded her that effort.

Meg patted Gabi on the back. “My new friend is planning her wedding. She needs a gown, and since you’re the photographer of all things weddings, I thought maybe you could point us in a direction. Show us some shots . . . tell us who you know.”

Hollywood, LA, the entire scene was all about who you knew, not what you knew.

Shannon’s gaze fell on Gabi with renewed interest. “You’re getting married?”

Gabi lifted her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “I am.”

“Congratulations . . . wait.” Shannon narrowed her eyes and stared at Meg. “Is she a client?”

Meg laughed. There was no way Alonzo would have passed the background check. “Ah, no. Gabi was engaged before we met.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Shannon turned to Gabi a second time. “Congratulations. When is the big day?”

Gabi looked between the two of them . . . twice. “In the fall. And what do you mean by am I a client?”

“I told you I did background checks,” Meg offered as a half answer.

“Background checks?”

Shannon jumped in. “I know people. Lots of people. Let’s look at some brides and you can tell me what appeals to you. We can go from there.”

They sat down to a pile of photo albums, every one of them filled with brides and everything weddings. If there was one thing Meg believed in, it was paying it forward. It helped that Shannon was a kick-ass photographer and a nice person. The nice person part was a plus. Helping her build her business didn’t require a second thought.

“Are you getting married on the island? Somewhere cold? Do you know what your bridesmaids are going to wear?”

Gabi pulled her shoulders back and grew silent. Her eyes started to fill with moisture.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Meg managed to catch her new friend’s gaze.

“I don’t have a bridesmaid. How can I get married without a bridesmaid? A maid of honor?”

Shannon jumped up and brought a box of tissues while Meg patted Gabi’s back as a few tears fell from her eyes. “Lots of people get married without a big wedding party.”

Gabi dabbed her nose. “I have a cousin, but we don’t see each other very often. When we announced I was getting married she didn’t know if she was going to be able to come.” Gabi stood and started to pace. “This is awful.”

“It’s not awful, and not abnormal,” Shannon pointed out.

“I’ve spent so much time on the island I’ve forgotten how to foster friendships. How can Alonzo love that? I’m going to be a terrible wife.”

“You’re not on the island now,” Meg reminded her. “And I’m right here. You haven’t forgotten how to foster anything. Now unless you’re letting something else fester inside of you that’s an issue, let’s find you the perfect dress.” Meg grabbed at one of the photo albums and pointed to the first slim-fitted strapless job she saw. “I think you’d look amazing in something like this.”

Gabi still wasn’t convinced. She glanced across the room at the picture and offered a pout.

Meg looked back at the photo album. “Didn’t your mother tell you that your face would stick that way if you kept it up?”

When Gabi’s laugh met Meg’s ears, she knew she’d broken through the nervous bride’s fears.

The thing was, Meg was still nervous for her new friend. Gabi might have told her that Alonzo made up for his assholiness the last night on the island, but the man had yet to pass her test. Now that she was back home, her test was rapidly moving forward. When Sam’s background check, along with her own, didn’t cut the man some slack . . . Meg would turn on the anti-Alonzo game full force.