Always the Last to Know (Always the Bridesmaid) Read Online Free Page B

you’re the groom, I would get out now.”  The tailor laughs, looking Riley up and down and shaking his head.  At my second snort, the tailor looks at me and winks.  He  kind of reminds me of my grandpa, except with a pulse, and I can’t help but smile at him; Riley’s scowl only gets deeper across his face.
           “I’m the bride’s brother.  And,” he looks at me, “speaking of the bride, where in the hell is she?  I left work early for this and I don’t want to have to wear this thing any longer than I have to.”
           “She called while you were trying on that masterpiece.”  He shoots me the finger but I continue talking, “The Best Man’s plane arrived late, but they’re on their way.  She should be here any minute.”
          As if on cue, the door to the tailor’s shop opens and in walks Carla, Evan, and one of the prettiest boys that I have ever seen in my twenty-two years of existence.
          Riley, who has quickly moved to my side, whispers in my ear, “You can close your mouth, you know.”
          I elbow him but take his advice and shut my mouth, which had been hovering just inches above the floor.  I can’t help it, the guy is just that pretty.  He’s shorter than Riley, but still much taller than me, slightly muscular and has the most gorgeous mop of dark brown hair that I have ever seen.
           “Jess, this is Matt.”  Carla smiles as she lightly shoves me toward him.
          I shake his hand (his big, strong hand) and try to remember how to form words.
           “So, you’re Jess?  Carla was talking about you all the way here.”
          My tongue still isn’t working.  Carla punches me in the arm and I slowly come out of my trance.
           “Hi.”  Hey, I did it!  I said something!
          Matt laughs, “Hi.”
          Riley clears his throat and we all turn to look at him, which I will admit is a challenge for me to tear my attention away from Matt’s face.  I can hear Evan gulp as he gets a good look at Riley’s tux.  He knows exactly what he is in for, and that it isn’t going to be a pretty sight.
           “Oh, right.  Matt, this is my brother, Riley.”  Carla mutters, bored with the introduction.  It takes her a moment to register that he is donning the clothes for the wedding and, when she realizes it, her entire face lights up.  “That tux looks so great on you Riley!”
           “Yeah, it looks great if you’re blind in one eye and have cataracts in the other.”  He does a sideways glance in a nearby mirror.  “Very severe cataracts.”
          Carla punches him in the arm.
           “What happened to you saying no to purple?”  Matt mutters to Evan.
          Evan sighs, “She withheld sex until I caved in.”
          Matt let out a laugh, “God, you have the best fiancée ever.”
           “That’s so sweet, Matt.”  Carla smiles at him, completely unaware of their conversation.  I can’t help but smirk; Matt and I will get along just fine.
           “Hey, shouldn’t you guys be trying on your tuxes?” Riley asks in a huffy voice.  I can’t help but smile at him as he stomps back into the dressing room, the bottom of his purple pants dragging the ground, and slams the door shut.
           “He is such a diva.”  Carla and I say in unison, shaking our heads at the door Riley had just closed with some serious attitude.
           “He’s got a point.  The sooner I’m in and out of that tux, the better.”  Evan says, earning him a death glare from Carla.  She follows him back into another dressing room, rambling about how the tuxes are so important to the overall theme of the wedding and blah blah blah.
           “So, is the Maid of Honor dress as bad as these get-ups?”  Matt asks, looking at me with those dark brown eyes.
          Be still my heart.
           “You have a frilly shirt.  I