Bridesmaids and Bodies

Chapter 1

Connie Petretta arrived at Dream Wedding Boutique, accompanied by her close friend, Elyse Miller, excited to present her custom, handcrafted jewelry to the bride-to-be, Kristin Fowler, and her bridal party.  

“I hope Kristin doesn’t mind that I’m crashing her fitting,” Elyse said as they exited Connie’s silver Jetta. “I only vaguely remember her from high school because she was a freshman when I was a senior, but her grandmother, Harriet, and my Great-Aunt Gertrude are good friends. I feel like I know Kristin and her fiancé, Mike, through Aunt Gertrude’s stories.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Connie said. “I texted Kristin to let her know you were coming with me. She is looking forward to seeing you again. Apparently, her grandmother has kept her posted on you and Josh, as well.” 

Kristin was wearing a satin, fifties-inspired wedding gown with a sweeping train. She and the women in her bridal party let out a collective gasp when Connie opened her carrying case and revealed the rhinestone jewelry.

“I loved the dress from the moment you showed me a picture, but it is even more beautiful in person,” Connie said. “I’m dying to see how this necklace looks with the dress.” She carefully pulled Kristin’s necklace from its case and proudly fastened it around the bride’s neck. Then she attached the matching bracelet on her wrist and handed her the earrings, which Kristin promptly put on. 

Kristin gathered her golden hair on the top of her head. “My hair will be up, more like this, for the wedding, so it will really showcase the necklace and earrings.”

“That looks amazing,” Heather, the maid of honor, who was also Kristin’s younger sister, said. “I can’t wait to try mine on.”

“It sounds like it’s the maid of honor’s turn,” Connie said. She helped Heather put on her own jewelry, then gave the rest of the pieces to the four bridesmaids. 

Kristin let out a squeal. “I can’t believe the wedding is only two weeks away.”

“Mike is going to flip out when he sees how beautiful you look,” Heather said.

Seeing that everyone loved her creations, Connie let out a sigh of relief. Kristin was her first bridal client since she opened her shop, Just Jewelry, fourteen months ago, and it was crucial that this event went well, since Connie was relying on the recommendations of satisfied customers to obtain future clients. Not to mention Kristin had put her trust in Connie to accessorize the most expensive dress she’d ever purchase, and Connie wanted her to be happy on her big day. 

The pleased expressions on the women’s faces told her she had succeeded.

“You look absolutely stunning,” Elyse said. “I hope you don’t mind that I tagged along with Connie. I’ve been following your wedding plans through Aunt Gertrude and wanted to personally wish you luck.”

“Oh, my goodness, where are my manners?” Kristin asked. “It is wonderful to see you again, Elyse. Let me introduce you both to my bridal party.” She gestured toward four women, who looked like they stepped off the cover of a glamour magazine. “Connie, you know my sister and maid of honor, Heather.  These are my bridesmaids – Lindsay, Chelsea, Ashley, and Meghan.”

Kristin winked at Lindsay. “You should give Lindsay a business card. She might be in need of some bridal jewelry next. She’s dating Mike’s best man, Jesse.”

Lindsay looked down and blushed, but her broad smile indicated she was pleased with the idea.

Kristin put her hand over the necklace, which was still resting on her chest. “I am so glad that Gertrude recommended you.” 

Connie smiled at Kristin and Heather. “It was a privilege getting to know you both over the past few months and sharing such an important life moment with you. I am so happy to have been a part of it.”

“You have been such a special part of the wedding process, Connie,” Kristin said. “It almost feels like you’re part of the bridal party.” Kristin and Heather had been regularly popping into Just Jewelry to check on their pieces ever since Kristin commissioned Connie back in January, and they often stayed for an iced tea and caught Connie up on wedding details. At this point, Connie too almost felt like part of the wedding party.

“It’s been my pleasure. I’m so happy to finally meet you all,” Connie said to the four bridesmaids. “I feel like I know you already from Kristin’s stories.”  

Kristin had shared with Connie how everyone from their formerly close-knit group of high school friends had drifted apart over the past five years. Having them all in her and Mike’s wedding party was their attempt to bring the gang back together.

“Don’t hold any of those stories against us,” Meghan said with a playful smile.

“I may have been too young to participate in their adventures, but I lived them vicariously through my sister,” Heather added. 

While they were talking, Kristin’s phone pinged with a text message. She pulled her phone from her purse and glanced at the screen. “It’s the guys. They are finished getting fitted for their tuxes and are on their way to the restaurant. I’ll tell them to have a drink at the bar, and we’ll be there shortly,” she said, her thumbs moving feverishly across her phone’s keypad.

“That’s our cue,” Connie said. After ensuring that everyone had the correct pieces of jewelry, she and Elyse turned to leave.

“Wait, ladies, don’t go!” Kristin said. “Why don’t the two of you join us for dinner?”

“That’s very kind of you, but we don’t want to crash your party,” Connie said. Technically, she could afford to be away from the store for the evening. It was Friday night, and Abby, one of Connie’s capable part-time assistants, was covering the store. But this group of friends had a lot to catch up on. 

“We insist,” Heather chimed in. “You have to meet the guys. They are hilarious.”

Since Connie had only moved to Sapphire Beach about a year-and-a-half before, she always welcomed the opportunity to meet some new people. “Okay. Sounds like fun.”

“I’ll text my husband,” Elyse said, typing into her phone. “He is watching our daughters, but I doubt he’ll mind if I stay out a little while longer.”

Elyse received an instantaneous response from Josh assuring her that he had everything under control on the home front.

“It’s settled then. I’m texting you the address of the restaurant now,” Kristin said to Connie. “We reserved a private room in the back. I’ll call on the way and have them add two more place settings.”

On their way to the restaurant, Connie and Elyse made a quick stop by Just Jewelry so Connie could check in on Abby, who insisted that Connie attend the dinner. “You worked night and day on that jewelry. Go and enjoy yourself.”

Ginger, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who unofficially came with the Gulf-front condo Connie had inherited from her aunt, had been resting on her doggie bed in the back of the store. She came trotting out when she heard Connie’s voice. 

Connie bent down to give her some love. “Come on, sweet girl, let’s bring you home so I don’t have to swing by the store after dinner.” 

Connie and Elyse took her for a quick walk, then dropped her off at Connie’s condo on their way to the restaurant. When they arrived, the hostess escorted them to the reserved room, where the wedding party was just taking their seats.

“So, this is the infamous Connie,” a man with his arm draped around Kristin’s shoulders said. 

Connie extended her hand. “You must be Mike. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“You met the women,” Kristin said. “Let me introduce you to the guys. This is Jesse, the best man, and Mike’s groomsmen – Cameron, Brad, Shawn, and Andrew.” Like the women, they too looked as if they had just stepped off the pages of a magazine.

Jesse, in particular, was strikingly handsome. He wore white pants with a blue V-neck shirt, which enhanced his deep blue eyes.

“Kristin tells me that you’ve all been friends since high school,” Connie said. 

“We could tell you some stories,” Brad said, with an exuberant laugh. “We’ve had a great time reconnecting through this wedding. Some of us haven’t seen one another in several years.”

The group kept Connie and Elyse in stitches over dinner as they recounted stories of their high school and college escapades. They seemed to relish having a fresh new audience. Although they had all gone to Sapphire Beach High School together, Cameron, Shawn, Lindsay, and Andrew went to college out of state, while Meghan, Brad, Chelsea, Ashley, and Jesse, along with Kristin and Mike, attended nearby Florida Sands University.  

“This isn’t the first marriage to come out of this group,” Cameron said, putting his arm around Meghan. “Meghan and I were married last year.” 

A smirk played on Jesse’s mouth. “Yeah, but it will definitely be the last marriage to come out of this group.” 

There was an awkward silence for a moment. Connie glanced around the table trying to assess what had just happened. Lindsay looked like she was about to cry, while Cameron looked as if he wanted to punch Jesse. Brad placed a supportive hand on Cameron’s shoulder.

Connie was searching her mind for something to say that would break the tension. “I think it’s wonderful that you’ve all rekindled your friendship after being out of touch the past several years.” 

Anger lingered in Cameron’s brown eyes. “I guess you could say that.” 

When the dinner conversation picked up again, Kristin whispered to Connie, “Don’t mind Cameron. He and Lindsay are cousins, and Cameron is very protective.”

Connie nodded discreetly. Her heart broke for Lindsay, who was doing her best to make it seem like Jesse’s remark hadn’t hurt. Clearly, Lindsay hoped that Kristin and Mike’s marriage wouldn’t be the last to come from their group.

“I have an idea,” Jesse said. “Why don’t we all go to our spot tonight?”

“Where’s your spot?” Connie asked.

Mike wore a nostalgic expression. “There’s this little nook tucked away in the Sapphire Beach State Park where we used to hang out in high school. We used to go there to have a few beers before we were legally allowed to, but we haven’t been there in years.” 

“Come on,” Jesse said. “Let’s go for old time’s sake.” 

“I don’t know,” Andrew faltered. “I have a lot to do this weekend. I’m helping my parents with some projects around the house while I’m in town.”

“Oh, come on, Andrew. You don’t have that much to do!” Ashley insisted. “I know your secret.”

Andrew’s eyes grew wide. “Ashley!” 

Mike glanced at them with a confused expression, then turned back to Jesse. “I’m exhausted from all this wedding planning, but maybe just a quick visit for tradition’s sake.” 

Jesse slapped Mike on the back. “That’s the spirit.” 

Mike turned to Connie and Elyse. “You ladies are welcome to join us. You can see where we hung out during our glory days.”

Kristin slightly rolled her eyes at Mike. “That is, if you’re not sick of our stories by now.” 

Connie and Elyse looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders. 

“I suppose a quick stop on the way home wouldn’t hurt,” Connie said. “It’s a beautiful night, and I could use some fresh air.” 

“I’m game,” Elyse said. 

The others agreed, as well.

“It’s settled then,” Jesse said, with a triumphant grin. 

“You ladies can follow me,” Mike said to Connie and Elyse. “We’ll see the rest of you there in a few minutes.”

About fifteen minutes later, a caravan of cars pulled into the parking lot by one of the entrances to the Sapphire Beach State Park. They waited a few minutes for Meghan and Shawn, who had stopped for snacks, then all fourteen of them followed the cement walkway through the park until they came to a small clearing set back from a cliff. The Gulf of Mexico was visible in the distance. A few stones and a couple of logs formed a circle of seats, but other than that, there didn’t appear to be anything special about their famous spot. 

“Here it is, in all its splendor,” Shawn said, as if he had just arrived at the top of Mount Everest. 

Connie and Elyse exchanged a puzzled glance.

Brad rubbed his chin. “I seem to remember it being a lot bigger.”

“Nope, this is exactly how I remember it,” Kristin said. “I’m so glad we came here.”

After the group polished off a couple of boxes of cupcakes and a bag of chips, Chelsea suggested they go for a walk. 

Jesse, Lindsay, Meghan, Shawn, Brad, Ashley, and Cameron decided to stay behind while Connie and Elyse joined Kristin, Mike, Heather, Chelsea, and Andrew for a walk through the park.

A warm breeze floated off the Gulf of Mexico, making it a comfortable night for a walk. The group got lost in conversation as Chelsea caught them up on her fast-paced life in New York City. Kristin made her promise to come back and visit more frequently, since the last time she had been home was six months ago. 

Andrew talked about his recent adventures in Chicago, where he worked as an anesthesiologist. Chelsea and Andrew were the only two of the group who no longer lived in the area. 

Connie was so absorbed in the conversation that she only realized it was getting late when the sun began to set.

“We’d better go,” Heather said. “The park closes at dusk.”

“I wonder if the others have left yet,” Mike said.

“We can check,” Andrew said. “We have to walk past there, anyway, to get to our cars. I doubt they waited for us.”

When they returned to the spot where they had left the others, it did indeed appear as if everyone had left. 

“I guess they got tired of waiting,” Mike said. 

They were about to turn and leave, when Connie stopped sharply and pointed to what appeared to be a dark shadow near one of the rocks where they had been sitting earlier. “What is that?”

“Did we forget to clean up our trash?” Kristin asked.

“I don’t think so,” Connie said, sprinting toward the apparent shadow. When she arrived, she fell to her knees. 

Jesse was lying face down on the ground with a knife in his back.