She turned her head and looked toward the white garment bag hanging perfectly straight on the closet door.

The expensive custom veil was draped carefully over a velvet chair in the sitting area.

I had left it out so the fragile tulle wouldn’t wrinkle before morning.

The silk edges snagged easily, and I didn’t want to take any chances.

A sudden burst of laughter carried into our room.

It was sharp and loud, vibrating straight through the drywall above my headboard.

I sat up quickly and rubbed my left collarbone.