on Saturday morning, heaven help them all, it was the morning of the wedding and Nina had not long ago flitted down to breakfast. Alex was long gone. Up and gone before seven, according to her mother, and a text message from Alex confirmed it. Definitely a good move, Nina decided, because half the population of Bellefleur was here for breakfast, and the bridesmaid cousins were holding court and so too were the aunts, and Nina tried to be nice in the face of their smiling superiority—hand over her heart she tried not to let them get to her, but it was a struggle. Yes, her little circus act was coming on just fine. Yes, Brent Delacroix is an excellent match. So happy for Honey. And then Jenna Mae made the mistake of wondering aloud just what the judge had promised Brent to sweeten the deal. “Manners, cousin,” Nina said between her teeth. “Where are yours?” Jenna Mae prepared to flounce away.
