I don’t need, or want, anything else. Certainly not success, a stressful job, or god forbid, the weight of owning my own business.
The happiest I’ve ever been was when I trekked the Appalachian Trail alone. Not for the hardship, but for the beauty of the morning birdsong, the evening sunset, the dip and incline of a mountain, the soothing patter of rain despite the soaked shoes.
And for the people I met, like a woman who needed someone to listen, or the big dude I convinced to wear nylons under his hiking socks to ease his blisters.
I’m only cut for the simple stuff, and the Universe’s plan for me is to be the grease on the squeaky wheel. Not the wheel. Absolutely not the vehicle.
Just a little droplet of grease, thank you very much.
“Alright, let’s go,” Ms. Angela says, and we file down the park to the sound of a soft electric guitar echoing through the hills and over the river. My heart swells at the sight of the whole town turning their faces to us, all genuinely happy to be here.
And when Kiara walks down the aisle, I start handing out the tissues I brought with her in mind.
But now Cassandra is talking about love and commitment, and I find myself struggling to not look at Noah. It breaks my heartto see the fine lines at the corner of his eyes, barely hidden by his glasses. Time is ticking and Noah is still alone, still sacrificing his own happiness for his family. It doesn’t seem right.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by the faint sound of Alex stifling a groan. Glancing at her, I see her hide a grimace.
What was I thinking?I should have seen it coming. Whipping around, I run to grab an empty chair, slip in the grass and magically avoid face-planting, then slide the chair right behind Alex before anyone clues in to what’s going on. She lets herself fall into it with a sigh of relief. “I’m fine,” she mouths to Chris who’s now frowning.
Next to him, Noah is narrowing his eyes on me like I’m some mystery.
I focus back on the wedding, the I dos, the tears of joy and suppressed sobs, my dwindling stock of tissues. Then Colton kisses Kiara and whisks her down the aisle.
Alex grabs my hand to lift herself up. “I’m gonna step ahead of you so Chris can help me, okay?”
“Yeah-yeah-yeah, sure.” I step back, wondering if this baby is going to share a birthday with Kiara and Colton’s anniversary.
“Ready?”
I whip my head to the deep voice way too close and see Noah offering his arm to me.
To the sound of “Best Day Of My Life.”
Really? I need to do this? Walking down the aisle on a beautiful day on the arm of the one man I would want but won’t ever have, sandwiched between two actual couples in front of us and two actual couples behind us?
Of course you can. Youhaveto.
Squeaky wheel. Droplet of grease.
three
Noah
Willow Fontaine doesn’t even see my proffered arm, just looks straight ahead, lips pursed. Shouldn’t she be happier about her friend getting married? She’s who made this happen. Maybe she’s worried about Alex, who’s now leaning heavily on Chris? That would be like her.
I take her arm to avoid us both suffering the consequences of not following Ms. Angela’s instructions, and she stiffens. “Everything okay?” I ask under my breath, leaning into her.
She wiggles and tucks something under her arm. “Yup,” she quips, avoiding my gaze.
I adjust my glasses and scan the crowd. This wedding should be the perfect opportunity for me to meet the future Mrs. Callaway, yet the thought of why I’m even thinking that way revolts me. It’s not like I can even think about flirting with someone. That’d be just plain… wrong.
We reach the end of the aisle, and Willow worms herself out of my hold to dash to the bar, leaving me standing stupidly, thinking I should just join her. Drown my worries for once.
But Lane interrupts my thoughts as she slides by my side. “What happened to your tie?” She frowns as she takes the bowtie between two fingers, examining it.
“Cass made me swap. Don’t ask me why.”
A small smile brightens her face. “Are you okay?”
