Thankfully, Aiden found it in the bathroom and all was well. We piled into two separate trucks—Brock’s and Travis’—and headed over to the Armstrong’s farm with twenty-minutes to spare before the ceremony was supposed to start.
The girls were still up at the farmhouse, doing whatever it is the bride and bridesmaids do before the wedding. Brock went to stand beneath the birch arbor with Pastor Bruce while Travis, Gordon, Grady and I set to the task of ushering guests to their seats.
Elle’s boyfriend showed up, scanning the wedding guests until his eyes fell on me. He nodded once, his jaw tense as Gordon led him to a spot near the front. He’d be sitting beside Sue Thompson.
My first reaction was to hate the guy, but I was surprised to find that I couldn’t; not after the moment Elle and I had shared. Now I just felt bad for him. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and maybe if I weren’t so selfish…I would have seen that sooner and I would have backed away.
It was too late now. I couldn’t stop it even if I tried. I didn’t have the strength to do the right thing, and I wasn’t even entirely sure if giving upwasthe right thing. All I knew was that every time I was around her, I could breathe without pain. Everything was clearer. If Elle walked up to me and told me she wanted to be with me again, there would be absolutelynohesitation on my part, and I couldn’t even feel guilty about it.
Elle
Tessa, the other bridesmaids and I had slept over at the farm to make it easier to go about getting ready the next day. Cheyenne was a hairstylist and a makeup artist, and she’d offered to do everyone’s hair and makeup but needed to get an early start. We awoke at the crack of dawn, ate a hearty breakfast that my mom had made in Bill’s kitchen, and took turns sitting down in the designated chair. Cheyenne had done everyone’s hair first, then set to doing makeup.
Thankfully, she had brought her airbrush kit and managed to hide the massive bags under my eyes. I hadn’t slept at all the night before, my mind stuck on that almost-kiss in the alley and Braden’s words—not to mention the guilt. I had no idea what I was going to say to Alex when he arrived. It was bad enough that I didn’t feel for him in the same capacity that he felt for me, now I was going to have to tell him that I had almost cheated on him.
I closed my eyes, breathing deep and slow in an attempt to relax myself. Any minute, we’d get the signal to walk down the aisle together.
“God Elle…you’re stunning,” Braden whispered into my ear, his warm breath igniting the butterflies in my stomach.
I opened my eyes slowly, taking him in. I never thought I’d be attracted to a guy in a suit before. I preferred causal plaids and work boots, but Braden wore that wedding suitsowell. My mouth was dry as my eyes finally made it to his face. He’d shaved the stubble, and the dimple on the right side of his cheek was visible again. His deep blue eyes were aglow with emotion, emotion that made my heart stutter.
“Yeah well, you clean up pretty well yourself,” I finally managed, forcing a smile and tearing my gaze away from him. Braden’s arm was linked through mine. I could feel him shaking a little as he chuckled.
The music cued, and we began our descent down the aisle to the beautiful piano and cello instrumental ofA Thousand Yearsby Christina Perri. So many faces turned to stare at us. Braden was steady in leading, his body radiating warmth and strength. I glanced up, seeing Brock standing beneath the arbor with Pastor Bruce, a smile on his handsome face.
Alex was sitting beside my mom. He was dressed in a suit and holding an itinerary, a smile of adoration on his face. He mouthed that I looked gorgeous and I smiled, feeling transparent. The man I was with didn’t ignite the same sensations in me as the man on my right, the man I’d tried unsuccessfully to move past.
Braden’s hand gently squeezed my arm before we separated. I stood on the bride’s side and Braden stood beside Brock underneath the birch arbor. The rest of the wedding party approached. Becky with Travis, Katie with Gordon, and Krista with Grady. After Krista and Grady came Tessa’s beautiful niece, Alyssa, and Aiden. Alyssa tossed rose petals as she practically danced, and Aiden walked straight and tall with importance as he carried the rings.
Tears welled up in my eyes as my best friend started walking down the aisle with her father. She looked stunning. Her long, honey blonde hair was styled in a thick French braid, with flowers through it. The gown she wore was the same elegant lace gown her mother had worn on her wedding day, with a few alterations to make it more Tessa, such as the knee high slit that showcased the dressy cowgirl boots she wore.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Pastor Bruce asked, looking at Bill.
“I do,” Bill answered, his voice thick with emotion. He looked at his daughter once more and kissed her on the cheek before releasing his grip on her. Brock held out his hand and Tessa accepted it. She held out her bouquet, and I quickly took it for her.
Tessa trembled throughout the ceremony. She and Brock had decided to write their own vows, and I was eternally grateful for waterproof makeup.
“Throughout this ceremony, Tessa and Brock have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words and with the giving and receiving of rings. It is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride!” Pastor Bruce declared, a proud smile on his face.
The guests clapped as Brock stepped closer to Tessa, gently cupping her face and kissing her. The kiss with sweet, yet passionate…full of love and promise and happiness. I brushed away another tear, smiling widely as we all clapped and cheered.
* * *
Dinner was served, and after that, it was time for the speeches. As the maid of honor, I went first, clenching my cue cards as I walked up to the podium. Tessa’s older brother, Tommy, was the MC. He winked at me as he made introductions, then adjusted the microphone to my height.
I glanced around at the tables, recognizing all the faces there to celebrate Tessa and Brock’s happiness, and my eyes settled on Alex. He nodded at me, offering a sweet smile. “Gosh, full house tonight, huh? Everybody here for the open bar?” I joked, taking a shaky breath. The guests chuckled as I adjusted my cards, my eyes barely seeing the words. I’d basically memorized everything I’d wanted to say. “Tessa and I have been best friends since the day I was born. I haven’t known a life without her, nor would I want to. She’s always been there for me, she’s always been my best friend. Nobody gets me the way she does, and she’ll be the first one to tell you that. We shared everything—our toys, our clothes, hell, even our parents. My dad left when I was little, and Tessa’s mama died. Tessa’s dad has always been like a father to me, and my mom has always treated Tessa like another daughter. So we really are sisters, more or less,” I smiled, my eyes finding Bill and my mom. They were sitting side by side, and Bill reached over to hold her hand and smile at her.
“Growing up, I was the hopeless romantic and Tessa was the pessimistic one. I believed in happily ever afters, while she was cautious. Then she met Brock. I got to watch her protective walls fall away, I got to witness my best friend fall in love, and it was the coolest thing. I don’t think anyone deserves this kind of love as much as she does.”
I looked towards the head table, seeing Tessa sitting with Brock’s arm around her, and smiled through the tears that had welled up in my eyes. “Tessa, I am so,sohappy for you and Brock. I can’t wait to be an aunt, so. Get on that, okay?” I laughed, brushing the tears from my cheeks. Tessa was laughing as she clapped her hands. “But finish school first,” I added, mostly for Bill’s benefit.
I stepped away from the podium, returning to the head table to take my place beside Tessa. I had to pass Braden as he made his way to the podium. Our bodies brushed against each other, and my eyes darted over to meet his. He had a look of regret on his face. I slid into my seat and hugged Tessa, kissing her on her cheek.
“Hey everyone,” Braden said, flashing a charming smile at the crowd. “There’s no way I can come close to topping Elle’s speech…but I’m going to give this my best shot—because it’s what Brock wants, and he’s done so much for me. He’s gone above and beyond just being a big brother. He’s our defender, our protector. He’s the head of the family and he’s been so since a very young age. It’s no secret, we didn’t exactly have the best upbringing. But I am who I am todaybecauseof that, because of Brock and Becky and our mom. I’ve always looked up to my big brother, even if I’ve never really shown it. He’s a hell of a guy, and I know he’s going to treat Tessa like she’s a queen. If anyone deserves a girl like Tessa, it’s Brock. Congratulations, bro.”
Braden left the podium to the sound of applause, and before he sat down, he looked at me. It was a fleeting glance, a glance that said a thousand unspoken words. A glance that undid all my resolve and made me want to know what truly put that hollow ache behind those blue eyes.
Next, Bill gave his speech. It was short and to the point, welcoming Brock into his family and giving some helpful tips on marriage (like the wife is always right. Even when she’s wrong, she’s right). My mom stepped up to share a story of when Tessa and I were little, and then it was finally time for the first dance.
