The Week Before the Wedding Read online

  PRAISE FOR

  BETH KENDRICK’S NOVELS

  The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

  “Graced with a stellar cast of captivating characters (including an adorable pack of scene-stealing canines) and written with both sharp wit and genuine wisdom, Kendrick’s latest effervescent novel is a hopelessly, hopefully romantic treat.”

  —Booklist (starred review)

  “If the title does not grab your attention, Kendrick’s writing will…an engaging, thoroughly enjoyable tale of finding soul mates of the four-legged and two-legged varieties…. When you put this book down, you will have a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.”

  —RT Book Reviews (41⁄2 stars)

  “A charming tale about finding the perfect match…[a] heartwarming tale featuring a lot of laughs, love, and irresistible dogs.”

  —SheKnows Book Lounge

  “Kendrick’s latest romance will appeal to dog lovers, who can doubtless relate to the many funny dog-owner moments…. Plenty of quirky humor and real-life problems like coping with a constantly screaming, colicky baby keep the smooth-paced story plausible. The variety of finely honed characters is a treat…. Readers looking for a light, engaging romance need to curl up with their favorite dog and enjoy.”

  —Monsters and Critics

  “A really funny and fun book. Perfect for your summer reading.”

  —Dolce Dolce

  “Kendrick not only shines in portraying the subtleties of female friendships, but also at rendering the unbreakable bond between man (or woman) and dog…. Kendrick has a…talent for matchmaking: pairing her winsome heroine and her delightful group of canines in the service of a tale of nurturing one’s true calling and rekindling relationships.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “If you like dog stories, romance, a little kick to the characters, and a story with a happy ending, try this book…. A funny, pleasant story…[it] makes one want to go and seek out other Beth Kendrick books.”

  —Deseret News (Salt Lake City, UT)

  The Bake-Off

  “With her usual literary flair, Kendrick delivers a scrumptious literary confection expertly spiced with humor and seasoned with just the right dash of romance.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “A warm, winning story about the complications of sisterhood—and the unexpected rewards.”

  —Sarah Pekkanen, author of Skipping a Beat

  “A sweet, fun, and entertaining look at family, love, and the perfect pastry…. Fans of women’s fiction, foodie fiction, and novels about sisters will delight in Kendrick’s descriptions, vivid characters, and fast-paced, hilarious dialogue. A book that often had me laughing aloud—and wiping away a tear at points. Recommended.”

  —Write Meg!

  “I absolutely loved this book. It is laugh-out-loud funny and you can’t help but love both sisters. Don’t be surprised if you want to try out the yummy-sounding recipes the author includes.”

  —Chicklit Club

  “A fun story of two estranged sisters who enter a baking competition together…. The characters are well written, and if you have sisters or even siblings, you’ll definitely be able to relate to the sibling rivalry.”

  —Just Short of Crazy

  “This story is sweet like a great dessert—just the right amount of sugar and spice. It’s a story that celebrates both sisters and the therapeutic benefits of baking….[Amy and Linnie’s] adventures in baking will make you laugh and [will] warm your heart.”

  —News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, WV)

  “Wonderful! Kendrick manages to cook up a tender, touching, and very funny story about the complicated relationship of two sisters torn apart by their own stubbornness and brought back together by love and pastry. With a fresh plot and richly layered characters, The Bake-Off is a winner.”

  —Ellen Meister, author of The Other Life

  Second Time Around

  “Kendrick deftly blends exceptionally clever writing, subtly nuanced characters, and a generous dash of romance into a flawlessly written story about the importance of female friendships and second chances.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “Smart and fun, this is my favorite book this year.”

  —Jane Porter, author of She’s Gone Country

  “A touching and humorous look at love, loss, and literature.”

  —Booklist

  “Extremely engaging…[Kendrick’s] characters were easy to fall in love with.”

  —Night Owl Reviews

  “Kendrick is an undeniably practiced hand at depicting female bonds.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A funny, charming story about the power of female friendship, and a must-read for all English majors, past and present.”

  —Kim Gruenenfelder, author of Wedding Fever

  The Pre-nup

  “In the exceptionally entertaining and wonderfully original The Pre-nup, Kendrick writes with a wicked sense of humor and great wisdom about the power of friendship, the importance of true love, and the very real satisfaction of romantic revenge done right.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  “The three female leads all captivate.”

  —Romantic Times

  “[A] highly entertaining story.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “[Kendrick’s] heroines are easy to like.”

  —Booklist

  “Clever, wise, and wonderful, The Pre-nup is Beth Kendrick at her best.”

  —Jane Porter

  “Witty, juicy, and lots of fun! Say ‘I do’ to The Pre-nup.”

  —Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of Only His

  “A smart, funny spin on happily-ever-after!”

  —Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of Always Something There to Remind Me

  Nearlyweds

  “A fun and funny look at marriage, commitment, and figuring out what your next best step is…whether it be down the aisle or not.”

  —Alison Pace, author of You Tell Your Dog First

  “Very funny.”

  —Carole Matthews, author of The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet

  Fashionably Late

  “Wickedly clever.”

  —Booklist

  “Kendrick’s keen sense of humor and pitch-perfect gift for dialogue are excellent accessories to this fun and frothy tale.”

  —Chicago Tribune

  ALSO BY BETH KENDRICK

  The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service

  The Bake-Off

  Second Time Around

  The Pre-nup

  Nearlyweds

  Fashionably Late

  Exes and Ohs

  My Favorite Mistake

  BETH KENDRICK

  New American Library

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,

  New York, New York 10014, USA

  USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  For more information about the Penguin Group visit penguin.com.

  First published by New American Library,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  First Printing, May 2013

  Copyright © Beth Lavin, 2013

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-I
N-PUBLICATION DATA:

  Kendrick, Beth.

  The week before the wedding/Beth Kendrick.

  p. cm.

  ISBN: 978-1-101-61375-7

  1. Weddings—Fiction. 2. Love stories. I. Title.

  PS3611.E535W44 2013

  813’.6—dc23 2012050320

  Designed by Alissa Amell

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  For Danielle Perez,

  friend, champion, and editorial rock star

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Saturday

  Chapter 2

  Sunday

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Monday

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Tuesday

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Wednesday

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Thursday

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Friday

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Saturday

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  About the Author

  Cure for the Common Breakup

  Acknowledgments

  A weepy, wine-soaked “I love you, man” to:

  Kresley Cole, who dragged me over the finish line, the starting line, and every damn line in between.

  My amazing agent, Amy Moore-Benson, without whom I would be living in a van down by the river.

  Marty Etchart, who introduced me to the “Wrap it up!” rule of writing and some really good pinot noir.

  Film producer Tai Burkholder, who routinely demonstrates how to get to yes. Remind me never to negotiate with you!

  Chandra Years, Barbara Ankrum, Kathie Galotti, and Erica Ashcroft, who provide invaluable personal support and professional guidance.

  The many friends and family members who offered encouragement, chocolate, and free child care while I played fast and loose with my deadline. I am so fortunate to have you in my life, and I count my blessings every day.

  “I’m Emily, and I’ll be your cautionary tale tonight.”

  Emily McKellips struck a pose, her hands stretched over her head and her hips swiveling in tight low-rise jeans that barely covered her ass. The two-room dormitory suite was packed in flagrant violation of the campus fire code, with everyone dancing and laughing and crowding around the keg in the corner. The bass on the stereo was cranked so high she could feel the downbeat vibrating through her body, and her lungs filled up with the familiar Friday night smells of smoke, sweat, and stale beer.

  “Finally!” Summer rushed over, thrust a red plastic cup into Emily’s hand, and tugged her toward the suite’s second room. “We’ve been waiting for you. You have to see this.”

  “See what?” Emily twisted her unruly auburn hair up into a bun. “I’ve seen everything there is to see around here.”

  Summer, Catherine, and Jess were clustered by the bunk beds, giggling and nudging one another. Emily elbowed her way into the trio of blondes and grimaced as she took her first sip of cheap, lukewarm beer.

  She tried to follow the direction of their gazes, but the room was too dark and the overhead strobe light too disorienting. “Give me a hint. What are we looking at?”

  Jess pointed her index finger. “Him.”

  Emily squinted into the shadowy fray. “Who?”

  “The hot transfer student,” Summer said.

  “He’s in my film studies class. I didn’t hear a word the prof said today.” Catherine grinned. “I don’t think I even kept my tongue in my mouth.”

  “This is about a guy?” Emily coughed as a marijuana-scented cloud of smoke billowed their way. “No, thank you.”

  “His name’s Ryan,” Jess said. “And if you hadn’t lost your mind and switched majors last spring, you’d probably have met him already. See? This is what happens when you take boring accounting classes full of boring people. You miss out on all the hotties.”

  “Yeah, but just imagine how much more boring the accounting classes would be without me,” Emily pointed out. “I’m doing a public service, really.”

  “Whatever. I will never understand how you can sit around crunching numbers and studying graphs with all those future corporate sellouts. I thought you were allergic to conformity and responsibility.”

  “Conformity, yes. Earning potential, no.”

  “Doesn’t the thought of wearing a suit and working in a cubicle give you hives? I can’t picture you wearing panty hose.”

  “Never,” Emily vowed. “Death before panty hose. Which reminds me—I just ordered a new leather miniskirt today. It’ll be perfect for when I finally track down the lead singer of Wake Up Will and get arrested trashing a hotel room with him and show up on a bunch of celebrity blogs.”

  “Didn’t you already do that last summer?” Catherine asked.

  “That wasn’t Wake Up Will,” Emily said. “It was the Ice Weasels. And we only got arrested because Summer kept flashing people from the balcony.”

  “We were in New Orleans.” Summer shrugged. “That’s how you say hi in New Orleans. I was just immersing myself in the local culture.” She got a little glint in her eye. “God, I love hotels. The maid service, the little bottles of shampoo…I have no idea what I’m doing after graduation, but my future job’s going to involve staying in lots of hotels. Mark my words.”

  “And my future job’s going to involve leather miniskirts and the singer from Wake Up Will.”

  Jess laughed. “And you need an accounting degree for that why?”

  “If you’d grown up with her mother, you’d understand,” Summer said. “Now focus. We’re staking out the new guy, remember?”

  “Not interested,” Emily said. “I’ve benched myself from dating until graduation. What was I thinking when I enrolled in this tiny little school in the middle of Minnesota, of all places? Ten thousand lakes and no decent guys.”

  “How can you say that?” Catherine cried.

  “You don’t even give them a chance!” Jess said. “You just meet and delete!”

  “They delete themselves by puking in my car or kissing like they’re giving my tonsils a deep-tissue massage or using the phrase ‘ipso facto’ while asking me out.” Emily shuddered at the memories. “I’d love to find someone I could really connect with, but I give up. Six hundred men on this campus, and I’ve screened every last one of them.”

  Summer gave her a look. “Don’t bench yourself just yet.”

  “Too late—I’m out for the rest of the season.”

  “You haven’t even met him.”

  “Fine.” Emily drained the rest of her beer. “Five hundred ninety-nine screened, one to go.”

  “You only need one,” Jess said. “Maybe this guy is it.”

  Catherine nodded. “He doesn’t look like the type to puke in your car.”

  “Ooh.” Summer batted her eyelashes. “Sounds like soul mate material.”

  Emily almost gagged. “There’s no such thing as a soul mate. And if there were, he definitely wouldn’t be a film studies major.”

  Summer grabbed Emily’s chin and swiveled her head until she was staring at the back of some guy’s head. A guy
with broad shoulders, a flannel shirt, and thick black hair. “Look. There he is.”

  “Well, ah do declare.” Emily made a big show of fanning her cheeks with her hand. “That’s one fine-lookin’ cranium he’s got there.”

  Then he turned around.

  He turned around and looked right at her, and Emily froze on the spot, her lips parting and her eyes widening.

  “Psst. Put your tongue back in your mouth,” Catherine murmured. “Don’t be like me.”

  But Emily wasn’t listening. She couldn’t feel anything except the deep, steady pulse of the bass thrumming through her body.

  He stared at her.

  She stared at him.

  And then the lights came on.

  “Security!” boomed an authoritative male voice. “Break it up!”

  The overhead fluorescent lights blazed down, temporarily blinding Emily, but she barely blinked. She didn’t want to look away.

  She didn’t want to sever the connection.

  All around her, kids scrambled to extinguish their cigarettes and stampede out the door before they got busted for underage drinking.

  “Come on,” Jess yelled, yanking on Emily’s hand.

  “I’ll be there in a minute.” Emily held her position and waited.

  Sure enough, he came for her.

  She lowered her face to hide her smile as he approached. Men. So predictable.

  He stood directly in front of her, waiting for her to look up at him. “We should go.” Then he offered his hand, as if he had no doubt whatsoever that she would take it.

  And she did, allowing him to lead her out the door, down the hall, and into the cool, clear night. When they got outside, she took a deep breath. The fresh evening air was mixed with his scent: soap and shaving cream and a hint of spicy cologne.

  Cologne usually did nothing for Emily; she found it cheesy and synthetic and a little desperate. But something about this particular scent on this particular guy made her want to locate his pulse points and lick them.

  His grip on her hand tightened as they started across the grassy quad.