Behind me the groomsmen stand not too far away in a separate group, laughing and joking, passing around a small hipflask of something. There should be five of them – one for each of us bridesmaids – but one of them is missing.
“If you would like to take up your positions,” calls a tall, stern looking woman, her grey hair pulled back into a tight bun. “The vicar is ready to for today’s ceremony.”
Carmensquealsexcitedly and I can’t help but smile for her.
Today is going to be the biggest day of her life so far, so no matter how much I’m hurting, my heart feeling like it’s breaking, I’m going to paint on a grin and pretend like I’m enjoying every minute of it.
My friends begin to line up in the order they’ve been carefully placed – a bridesmaid coupled with their groomsman. Following in their footsteps, I take my position, forth inline, just before the bride herself, who links an arm with her dad.
I swallow back the second pang of pain ricocheting across my heart.
“Excuse me, miss?”
I turn back around to find the stern, grey haired woman, gesturing to the empty space beside me that I’ve been trying desperately to ignore. “Where is your groomsman?”
The chatter in front of me ceases.
It feels like time stands still until someone, anyone, finally finds their tongue.
“He isn’t—” Shelby starts before she’s quickly interrupted by the thunder of running feet and a voice.
“I’m here. I’m here! Sorry, I’m late.”
I peer over my shoulder to see Blake running across the manicured lawn, his suit jacket flying in the wind behind him.
“Oh my god,” Carmen utters, but I hardly pay her any attention.
I feel like I’m floating as I step out of line, moving to meet Blake halfway down the stone church steps.
“You’re here.”
Blake nods. “I’m here.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d be coming.”
“I promised you and I don’t break my promises, remember?” He brushes the backs of his fingers down the curve of my cheek, drawing a pleased hum from the base of my throat. I want to kiss him so bad, to raise up on my tiptoes and—
“Places please!” The stern usher claps her hands startling me out of my reverie. Soft music begins to swell from inside the church, eliciting a blanket of excitement over the wedding party.
I can’t believe after months of planning, organising and orchestrating the perfect day, this is it, the big day.
Grinning, I reposition my grip on the bouquet with one hand and link my other through Blake’s arm.
I float down the aisle behind my friends, feeling like I’m on cloud nine. When we reach the end, I press my lips to Blake’s without a second thought. He squeezes my waist, grazing the shell of my ear with his mouth. “I’m in love with you, Calla Becker.”
He steps away to take his seat, while I’m herded into my designated spot at the altar behind Carmen.
“Dearly beloved,” begins the priest, “we are gathered here today…”
The rest of the ceremony is a whirlwind of wet eyes and smiles as I watch my best friend marry the love of her life.
I throw confetti over a grinning Carmen and Jake with tears streaming down my face, much to the annoyance of the makeup artist who has to retouch up my face before the photographer snaps his pictures.
But I don’t care.
Banding my arm around Carmen and the other bridesmaids, I laugh and grin my way through a series of posed photographs until my cheeks physically ache.
“You looked so beautiful up there, Car,” I gush to my best friend when we have a heartbeat’s downtime while the photographer grabs something from his truck.
