Laney slides a glance at me, and I realize my knee’s bouncing.
I stop it.
Her lips wobble like she’s trying to send me agood boy, but she’s sad.
Dammit.
She’s sad because I told her I don’t want Emma to marry a fuckaroni and cheese. Shouldn’t have told her.
Shouldn’t have made her deal with carrying that.
“Such a beautiful day to join two souls who have been in love since their youth, who have overcome trials and challenges and hardships to reach this day, today, when they proclaim their love before you, their closest family and friends…” the minister drones.
I got a talker.
Of course I did.
Couldn’t have gotten a minister who’d just rip off the bandage and get it over with fast.
Had to pick the talker. One who doesn’t even know them, but who’s droning like he does.
Laney shifts another look at me.
I make my leg stop bouncing again.
But that’s when it happens.
I feel the tickle.
Not the tickle of my hand waking up.
The tickle ofI need to sneeze.
Nope. Nope nope nope. Not sneezing. Not doing it.
Emma hates it when I sneeze.
I sneeze loud.
Can’t help it. I’ve tried. Even went to see a doctor about it once.
Breathe, dumbass. Just breathe.
“Before we proceed, is there anyone who knows of any reason why this man and this woman should not be wed?”
I twist my nose this way and that to try to stop the tickle. Also sit on my fucking hands.
The minister peers at me.
Laney looks at me too.
I duck my head and keep twitching my nose.
Will not sneeze. Will not sneeze. Will not sneeze.
The minister starts talking again.
It’s getting stronger.
