CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

A knock on the bathroom door interrupted her thoughts. "Claire?" Mason's voice called out. "You okay in there? You've been in the shower for ages." Claire smiled, realizing she'd lost track of time. "I'm fine! Just thinking. I'll be out in a minute." As she stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy hotel robe, she found Mason waiting with a cup of coffee. "Thought you might need this," he said, handing her the steaming mug. "Big day ahead." Claire took a grateful sip, savoring the rich aroma. "You're the best, you know that?" Mason grinned, pulling her close for a quick kiss. "I try. Now, what time do you need to be at Emily's?" The next few hours passed in a blur of activity. Claire arrived at Emily's hotel suite to find a whirlwind of bridesmaids, makeup artists, and hairstylists. Emily, to Claire's relief, seemed calm and centered, a far cry from her panic the day before. As Claire helped Emily into her wedding dress, she couldn't resist asking, "How are you feeling? A