Jaded (The Butterfly Memoirs) by M. J. Kane Read Free Book Online Page A

they’re all set,” Ebony replied, lounging on the sofa.
    “Good. Their rooms at the Inn have been reserved. Are you sure you don’t want to spend the night in the honeymoon suite before taking off in the morning?”
    “Hell no,” Ebony laughed while shaking her head. “I don’t want to spend my first night as Mrs. Young in bed wondering if my parents are next door and can hear us.”
    Kaitlyn and I chuckled.
    “Understood.” I opened the wedding file and reviewed my list of to-do notes. “Okay, the caterers have been set up, and flowers will be delivered on the morning of the wedding. That leaves decorations…what time do you ladies want to start?”
    “I’m open for anytime,” Kaitlyn said. “We’re still spendin’ the night at the hotel, right?”
    “Yeah, I reserved the largest room for us. We can spend a few hours decorating downstairs before going up for drinks and some fun. Whatever you want, Ebony, I’m game.”
    “Sounds good. My sister, Lashana, should be here in plenty of time to help set up. Yaz, you guys are going to hit it off. Brian’s sisters will also be helping. My mom and Mrs. Young will probably stay around for a little while, too.” She laughed. “Brian’s sister, Bridget, is determined to hire a stripper for the night.”
    “I like her already!” Kaitlyn sat up, her eyes widening.
    I chuckled. “What does Brian have to say?”
    “I haven’t told him, but he knows how wild his sister is,” Ebony replied.
    “What do the guys have planned?” My attention went to my notes.
    “I have no idea. Whatever it is, I’m taking care of all his needs the entire week leading up to the wedding. He’s going to be so tired that if they do have a stripper, he’ll have no desire to touch her.”
    I cracked up. “Just don’t wear him out too much, or he won’t be able to stay awake during the ceremony.” I reached for the strawberry daiquiri Ebony offered upon my arrival. “Now, last but not least, it’s time to try on our dresses. If anyone needs anything altered, I’ve met this wonderful seamstress who could do the job in no time.”
    We headed to the spare bedroom where our dresses were being kept until the eve of the big day. Ebony stopped at the closed door and keyed in a code on what had to be a real estate padlock.
    “Brian is nosey. I told him he could not see the dress until our wedding day.”
    After a moment we were in the room. All of our dresses, shoes, jewelry, and other miscellaneous items acquired for the wedding were piled around the room. Nearly every inch of available floor space was occupied. After a few minutes, we’d cleared a big enough space to maneuver around without stumbling over one another.
    Her colors were a chocolate brown with brilliant blue accents. The dresses Ebony chose for us were strapless floor length numbers with a thick satin ribbon that wrapped around the waist, while ruffled fabric flowed from the bodice. I loved the way the dark fabric accentuated every curve.
    But nothing compared to her dress. We’d spent nearly a month in search of the perfect gown. In the end, we settled on an elegant halter type number, which flowed flawlessly over her voluptuous figure and flared past her knees into soft-layers. It reminded me of tulip petals.
    Brian would be pleased.
    Kaitlyn and I stepped away after we finished fussing over the tiny buttons of the sexy number.
    “Can you breathe?” I asked.
    “Yes, I’ve been damn near fasting for the past two weeks. I can’t afford to gain a pound until this day has passed.”
    Kaitlyn and I tried on our dresses next. I was helping her with the zipper when we ran into a problem; it could not go up all the way.
    “Uh, Kaity, what have you been eating?” I asked.
    She blushed. “Crap, I was hopin’ this wouldn’t happen.” She sighed. “Guys, I’ve got to tell you somethin’…”
    Ebony and I glanced at each other. “What?” we said in unison.
    She gazed at her fingers as she wrung them