Read Always A Bridesmaid (Left At the Altar) for Free Online Page A

closed her eyes in ecstasy and emitted a sigh of satisfaction.
    "I wonder how many calories are in that tart?" Chantal said. "Do you really think you should be eating that, Dani? I mean, with your tendency to put on weight around your hips and butt?"
    Chantal's expression was full of innocence and concern. Dani felt her face flame with embarrassment. She'd worked really hard to keep the weight off with exercise and diet, and had reached a point where she was more or less comfortable with her body, although she always felt as if she had five or ten more pounds to lose.
    But with just a few words, Chantal had set back her confidence about eight years. She didn't know if she was angrier at Chantal or herself. She set down her fork, her delight in the treat evaporating.
    Zach reached for her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
    She blinked at him in surprise.
    "I happen to think Dani's curves are incredibly sexy. Especially her hips and butt." He smiled at her, and kissed her hand once more.
    If only he really meant it. She knew full well his words and actions were simply a reaction to Chantal's jab. Still, his ardent defense warmed her heart. She picked up her fork and took another bite. Zach gave her left hand a squeeze before letting it go.
    "I like a woman with a little meat on her bones." Camp took a big bite of his dessert. He glared at his granddaughter. "Nothing more aggravating than a woman who won't eat and won't let anyone else enjoy their food either."
    "Perhaps you like a little meat on a woman's bones, Grandfather, but I can assure you, there are plenty of men who don't."
    "Personally, I like a woman with curves," Jonathan said. "And I hope I'm not so shallow that I would make a friend feel uncomfortable because she wasn't a perfect size two."
    Chantal stared at him open-mouthed as he continued to eat his dessert unperturbed. Dani looked down at her hands in her lap, trying not to laugh. She hadn't often seen someone get the better of Chantal, but quiet Jonathan had managed the feat without so much as breaking a sweat. She'd have to thank him when she got a chance.
    Adele cleared away the dessert plates and brought coffee. Foster turned to Jonathan with a smile. "Believe or not, you and Chantal have something in common. She volunteers at Sick Kids Hospital."
    He looked as surprised as Dani felt. "Really?"
    "You don't have to act so shocked," Chantal snapped. "Besides, most of the time I just help out in the gift shop or the canteen. No big deal. But every once in a while I get to read to some of the ambulatory kids. That's a lot more fun."
    "Good for you. I know they're always looking for volunteers."
    Dani glanced at Zach. He was watching Chantal, a soft, wistful smile curving his lips. And she knew.
    He was still in love with her.
    For all his talk about not wanting to get involved with her again, he still had it bad.
    The pain she felt in acknowledging that truth took her by surprise. For a few sweet moments she'd allowed herself to forget this was only a charade. If she wanted to emerge from this weekend with her heart intact, she needed to remember they were only playing a game. She turned to Fiona and smiled. Time to change the subject yet again.
    "Fee, tell me about the wedding. I hear the Royal York Hotel has a beautiful ballroom."
    "Yes, it does. Oh, Dani, the chandeliers are magnificent. Everything's going to be so beautiful." Fiona happily filled her in on all the details, from the color of the napkins to the type of flower arrangements on the head table.
    She nodded and smiled, even though she'd heard much of this before. But she didn't care. Fee had been dreaming of her big day for months and she should be allowed to enjoy it.
    Besides, if Fiona was talking about flower arrangements, no one was talking about her measurements or Chantal's volunteer activities.
    "So Dani," Chantal said, interrupting her sister in the middle of a detailed description of her wedding cake. "You haven't told us how you