Free Midnight Shimmer: A Toni Diamond Mystery (Toni Diamond Mysteries Book 3) by Nancy Warren

all the girls.
    Toni was accustomed to working in front of a group, so she talked nonstop as she worked. Linda was no slouch in the talking department either and, with the silent communication of women who are as close as a mother and daughter, they passed the invisible microphone back and forth flawlessly.
    Of course, they didn’t want to bore the poor women, so they also made sure to engage them in conversation. “How did you decide on this cruise?” Toni asked.
    Caitlyn answered. “I knew I wanted to get married on board a cruise ship. We were all checking them out online and with our travel agents, but Susanne came up with the best deal. You would not believe how inexpensive this trip is. Right, Susanne?”
    Toni glanced over to find Susanne watching Linda show Allie how to apply eyeliner correctly.
    “Earth to Susanne!”
    Susanne jerked and looked up. “Sorry, I was daydreaming. What did you say?”
    “I was telling her you got us a great deal.” Then Caitlyn laughed. “I bet I’ll totally be like that when I’m married. Someone will call ‘Mrs. Perkins,’ and I’ll totally be, like, what? You talking to me?” She laughed heartily and Susanne blushed and laughed along with her. “I was telling Toni what a great deal you got us.”
    “Oh, yeah. I have a friend who had some pull.”
    “Wonderful. Isn’t it great when you get a screaming good deal?” she said.
    The mic passed invisibly to Linda, who said, “We won this cruise.” Pause.
    “Really? How?” Rose obligingly asked.
    “Toni won a cruise for two people because she is the top salesperson with Lady Bianca Cosmetics. You would not believe the prizes and incentives. We’ve won jewelry, cars, all kinds of things. It’s a company that truly empowers women.”
    Pause as she passed the mic back to Toni.
    “That’s right. Mama’s in the top tier for Texas, also. What are you working toward now, Mama?”
    “I’ve got my eye on this darling little Prius. We get to make women look better and we make money.” She sighed. “I love my job.”
    “You can win jewelry too, did I mention that?”
    At the mention of jewelry, Toni saw Susanne finger a handsome emerald and diamond ring on her left ring finger. “Did you get that ring at the emerald store today?” If so, it had cost her a bundle, based on the size of the stone and the prices Toni had witnessed. Even duty free.
    “No,” Susanne said, smiling down at the ring. Toni knew she’d guessed right. The woman was pleased to be asked. “It’s my engagement ring. I’m getting married too.”
    “Congratulations.” Based on the condition of the ring, it was a very recent engagement.
    “I know, right?” Caitlyn said. “I told her we should have a double wedding.”
    And Toni completely understood anyone not wanting to have a double wedding with Caitlyn. She thought she’d rather remain single forever.
    “Have you all known each other for long?” She imagined she’d hear the usual bride and her attendants stories about lifelong friendships.
    Caitlyn said, “No. Not really. Well, Allie I’ve known forever, because she’s, like, my cousin, but the rest of the girls are newer friends.” She sighed. “I mean, there are girls I’ve known longer and a couple of them were pretty bummed not to be bridesmaids, but I have to think of my future.”
    Toni had no idea what to say to that so she kept her mouth shut.
    “I mean, I will be looking at the wedding photos for the rest of my life. And some of my girlfriends” She stared at her own reflection in the mirror as she spoke “They have really let themselves go.”
    “You chose your bridesmaids for their looks?” Linda asked.
    “Yeah. Doesn’t everybody? Rose I know from the gym. We work out together and she’s totally into fitness and looking good. Lauren and I work together and we both love shopping. And Susanne’s also at my gym. This girl Pilar, also from the gym, was supposed to be my fourth bridesmaid. She’s from Peru and