How pathetic am I? He’s not coming here for that.
She shrugged while still facing the mirror surrounded by way too much mahogany, and played with all the curls in her hair. She usually had beachy waves, but the hair stylist tightened those up, letting the soft curls cascade down her back. She also wore a flowered headband in her hair and it was probably the most feminine she’d looked since, well, the last wedding she was in.
Turning back to the rest of the women in the room lounging across both of the beds, she saw Bridget making sure everyone had their mimosas before they helped her get her dress on. Why it took three people to help someone put on a dress was something Hailey would never understand. Bridal gowns were so much work.
The photographer was also in the room, catchingcandid photos of everyone while they got ready, as if she didn’t feel awkward enough.
Time to put on a smile and get through the day.
The days were significantly better now that Gage was out of her life. Everyone’s reaction to her leaving him was the same: utter excitement.
Being single certainly wasn’t new to her, but it was always a bit of a downer being the only single woman in a bridal party. They’d be distracted by their partners all night and probably wouldn’t dance much together. How did everyone else find their person so quickly?
Hailey kept reminding herself she had Avery coming that night. The nerves were definitely hitting her.
Since the night he offered to be her date where she was incredibly flustered and embarrassed, the texts between her and Avery remained friendly. They enjoyed their nights out after soccer games and they even hung out at a bar with everyone on a night theydidn’thave a game. It was exciting not having to answer to anyone and do whatever the hell she wanted. She really had to relearn how to be her own person. At least these days she had more reasons to smile instead of faking it half the time.
———————————
Hailey looked at Rick as Bridget walked down the aisle, and the happiness on his face and tears he shed madeHailey’s eyes water a bit. She just hoped one day someone would look at her that way.
Their vows took longer than expected because they kept cracking each other up. They both managed to get multiple rock climbing puns and metaphors into their vows. Bridget said she’d be the thick mat to catch Rick if he fell. Rick said their relationship “rocked.” Only a few people in the crowd groaned.
Eventually they got through it and filed out of the chapel to head to the cocktail hour. Rick and Bridget did the whole “first look” thing before the wedding, so they didn’t have to take anymore posed pictures with the bridal party. The only benefit of starting makeup at seven in the morning.
Hailey was practically vibrating with excitement for two reasons. 1. Cocktail hours were the best parts of weddings and that’s where you got the best food. 2. Avery was around somewhere waiting for her. There was a chance he didn’t get there yet, since he really didn’t have to sit through the ceremony.
The cocktail hour took place in a big room next to the bigger room they would be in for the main reception. One wall had large windows draped in white silk curtains, and there were accents of cherry wood everywhere to give the place a classy vibe. There were high-top tables scattered throughout the room for eating and mingling and there were intricate chandeliershanging from the ceiling. Hailey thought they must be a bitch to dust.
There were food stations everywhere and the options were overwhelming, but Hailey went right to the Italian station and got a small helping of tortellini in some kind of cream sauce. She hadn’t eaten all day and she needed to get something in her stomach before she started drinking.
As she ate the little bit of tortellini on her plate, she scanned the room for Avery. No sightings just yet, so when she finished her pasta she made her way to the bar to grab something to take the edge off.
There was no real need to be nervous. There were no expectations for them tonight and they’d been friends since high school and have hung out at dances and other weddings before. But, it was that hotel room looming in the back of her mind, taking over her thoughts whenever she stood still for too long.
The line for the bar wasn’t too bad. She was already next in line, and as Hailey waited she continued to scan the crowd while bouncing on her toes out of excitement. That’s when she saw him.
He was wearing a three-piece navy suit and looked like he walked off the cover of some men’s magazine. Her mouth suddenly went dry.
“Miss? What’ll you have?”
Turning back to the bartender, it washer turn apparently so she grabbed a Dirty Shirley for herself and a beer for Avery. When she turned back around to find him he was chatting up one of Rick’s friends they all went to school with.
As she approached, Avery caught her in his peripheral and turned to see her. The smile on his face knocked the air out of her lungs for a second and she had to remind herself to breathe. He wore the shit out of that suit.
“Hey there, stranger!” Stranger? Crap, she was already flustered. “I got your usual for you.”
Please don’t trip. Please don’t trip. Please don’t trip.
This is where the alcohol came in handy and she started sipping her drink while handing the beer over to Avery. The friend he was talking to got distracted by the seafood station (totally understandable) so she had his full attention.
“Hailey! There you are! Thanks for the drink.” Once he relieved her of his drink, he gave her a friendly hug hello.
When they separated, she saw Avery’s eyes trail over her body and she was hoping she wasn’t blushing too hard.
When his gaze got back to her eyes, he seemed lost for words. He opened and closed his mouth like he wasn’t sure what to say. Shaking his head, he finally remarked, “You look incredible,” as his eyes droppedback down to her dress for just a moment.
That was it. She was melting. She needed to finish this drink and then get four more to relax.
