Toss the Bouquet (25 page)

He was even better.

THE END

Thank you to my publisher—Harper Collins/ Zondervan—
for inviting me into your group. As an indie author who often finds herself flailing alone, it's nice to have found a place to belong. I appreciate your entire team of sweet, encouraging people.

I would like to thank my readers for coming back again. It's always a humbling and thrilling experience when someone buys my books, especially when you take the time to give a nice review or sweet face-to-face comment. I appreciate every single one of you, and I'm forever grateful.

A huge thank you to my fantastic agent, Jessica Kirkland. Without your guidance I would still be staring at a screen, wondering what the heck to do with all the finished manuscripts stored inside my computer. Thankfully you always know what comes next. You're savvy when I am clueless, sharp when I am dull, excited when I am lifeless, a marketing genius when I am not (which is always since I hate marketing). I'm eternally blessed by you.

Thank you to my awesome editor—Jamie Chavez—for your willingness to read this book and for taking my very rough manuscript and turning it into something (hopefully) worth publishing. I learned so much about writing from you, and I appreciate your wisdom.

To Nicole Deese—my “writer wife”—for every encouraging word you've ever spoken. If words came to life and I tried to stack them in a room, all your kind ones wouldn't fit inside. You cheer me up when I'm down and eagerly volunteer to slap me when I'm filled with self-doubt. Only a real friend would do something so sweet. God made a great person when He made you, and I am privileged to know you.

To Alec Stockton, for sharing my love of creating things from nothing but imagination and a computer. It's nice to know someone who identifies with my weirdness. Or coolness, as I prefer to call it.

To my sisters, Tracy and Emily, for being my best friends and for not giving up on me when I'm under a deadline or going through last-minute freak outs. I love you both. Thank you for loving me.

To my parents—Hal and Jan Millsap—for raising three pretty awesome girls. At least I think we're awesome. Other people might think differently, but whatever.

To my extended family—both the Millsap side and the Matayo side. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to belong to.

To my kids—Jackson, Lilly, Landon, and Rowan—for being the loves of my life. You four sacrifice more than anyone so that I can achieve my dreams, and I'm grateful for each one of you. I'll love you always.

To my husband, Doug, for loving me, sticking with me, and encouraging me through the craziness.

And to Jesus Christ, for saving my life. I'm messy and ridiculous and constantly screwing up, but your grace makes all the difference.

1. Jack builds a hit song out of a few lines of lyrics that don't belong to him. Have you ever passed off someone else's work as your own? If so, did you get away with it, or did it backfire?

2. April has worked the same job for years, hoping to make it big in a town full of musicians just like herself. Have you ever had a dream so big that you were willing to do anything to make it happen? How long did it take?

3. Jack agrees to perform in Kristin's wedding out of guilt. Is there anything you've ever agreed to do because of a need to “make it up” to another person?

4. April writes lyrics on anything she can find—napkins, toilet paper, other people's arms. Do you have any habits like April that might considered “quirky”?

5. When Jack questions April, he learns that she doesn't want money or “anything obvious” to make up for stealing her lyrics. Instead she wants him to “think of something
creative.” Do you think Jack's solution was a good one, or do you think April was crazy not to demand payment and recognition?

6. April's sister is a bit of a diva when it comes to planning a wedding. Is there anything in your life that has temporarily changed you or turned you into an irrational person—be it from stress or another outside factor? Can you give an example?

7. In the end, April forgives Jack and they wind up dating each other. Do you think you could forgive someone that much who stole something so personal from you?

Amy Matayo has a degree in journalism
from John Brown University. She worked for seven years as senior writer and editor at DaySpring Cards until the birth of her first child. Amy was a freelance writer for David C. Cook before pursuing writing full-time, and she focuses on edgy, contemporary books for women of all ages. She is the author of
The Wedding Game
,
Love Gone Wild
, and the upcoming
Sway
. She lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas.

Visit her website at
www.amymatayo.com
.

Facebook:
amymatayoauthor

Twitter:
@amymatayo

Never a Bridesmaid

JANICE THOMPSON

Dedication

To my four daughters, Randi, Courtney Rae, Megan and Courtney Elizabeth. (Yes, I really have two daughters named Courtney!) Four weddings in four years?! How did we survive! What a blissful time, and what a blessing, to see you all happily wed.

The morning my older sister, Crystal, announced her
engagement, our whole family celebrated. Well, all but my dad, who mumbled something about checking his bank balance as he headed toward his computer to get online.

Mama did a funny little dance on her way to make Crystal's favorite pancakes, all while singing a rousing chorus from her favorite praise song. My grandmother burst into tears at the news. She gave Crystal a thousand kisses on each cheek—approximately—and launched into a passionate speech about the joys of married life. I chuckled at her enthusiasm as she boot-scooted her way out of the living room to call all her friends.

And me? I gave Crystal the biggest hug ever—and then stood there, waiting for the words every sister anticipates: the invitation to serve as maid of honor. I'd earned the role, after all. Twenty-two years of living under the same roof
with my everything-has-to-be-perfect older sister had more than qualified me for the job. And the whole family knew orchestrating events was my special gift. Hadn't I planned all the birthday parties since I was ten?

Now, if I could only get Crystal to stop staring at that over-the-top, princess-cut diamond on her ring finger, we'd get this show on the road.

It took a few minutes for her obsession with the engagement ring to subside, but she finally got control of herself. She grabbed my hands and squealed, then released a happy sigh. “Oh, Mari, isn't it wonderful? I'm going to be Mrs. Phillip Havenhurst. Finally!” She brushed one of her platinum blond locks aside and giggled. “His parents have a membership at the River Oaks Country Club. According to
Texas Bridal
, it's Houston's top venue for weddings. I mean, who gets that? Certainly not girls like us. It's such an honor. I feel like a princess.”

I felt a little more like Cinderella at the ball. Hanging out with Houston's upper echelon would be nerve-racking at best. I'd never really been much for the country club set, even though most of the people in our upper-middle-class community strived for such luxuries. Me? I'd rather get married on the beach, any day. Or at our church. Certainly not at a hoity-toity place like River Oaks Country Club, and definitely not surrounded by people who preferred caviar to nacho cheese dip.

I was more than a little concerned by her news about the venue. “Does Dad know you're getting married at the country club? No wonder he's checking his bank balance. He's probably in a panic.”

“Maybe it won't be as bad as we think.” Concern flashed in my sister's blue eyes. “Phillip's father has connections. I'm sure he'll help work out something. I hope.”

“Maybe, but it's still going to shake Dad up. I mean, the food costs alone will be crazy. Are you sure you don't want to get married at the church? Did you see how they did up the reception hall for Nikki Raymond's wedding? It looked amazing, almost like a high-end wedding facility. It can be done. If we have time, I mean. Have you set a date?”

“Yes. Mid-May. That gives us just four months. But don't worry, Mari. We're definitely getting married at the church. The reception just won't be there. Phillip's parents probably wouldn't like that. Remember, I told you what kind of lifestyle they're used to?” For whatever reason, the sparkle in Crystal's eyes faded as she spoke those words. Just as quickly, it reignited. “Anyway, it'll be great.”

“Of course it will.” I did my best to sound reassuring and tried not to focus on the wide financial gap between our two families.

“Besides, I'm only getting married once. I want it to be amazing.”

“It's going to be amazing, Crystal. And you, of all people, deserve the perfect wedding. You're the most giving person I know. I can't wait.”

“Me either.” She took a couple of steps in my direction and gave me a warm hug.

“So, um, have you given any thought to bridesmaids?”