Last night, Gina still wasn’t looking at me, which wasquite a feat, considering we had a whole rehearsal and a dinner to get through. I tried to go to her after we’d finished eating at their family restaurant, but she’d slipped out the back door.
My brow lowers, and I wonder if my sister had anything to do with this rearrangement. Maverick and Gigi walked together at the rehearsal, and they were saving a spot for their older cousin Austin, who I’ve never met.
He’s Kim’s step-brother, her stepmom Allie’s son from a previous marriage. I’ve only heard them talk about him briefly like some kind of celebrity-unicorn.
He’s also a star NFL quarterback, so it’s possible he is some kind of elusive creature. I know once hockey season starts, we’re all MIA for nine months.
“That’s your cue!” Knox gives me a push, and I realize the string quartet has begun playing.
Stepping out from behind the curtains, my breath catches when I see her waiting there. Her strawberry-blonde hair lifts in the soft breeze, and the skirt of her dusty rose dress ripples.
Her green eyes widen when she sees me, and she takes a hesitating step back. That’s when a hand appears from behind the curtain and pushes her forward.
“Oh!” Her lips form a circle as she stumbles to me, and I step forward to catch her.
“You okay?” My voice is low, and she feels so good in my arms.
Her sweet cherry scent surrounds me, and all I can think about is how many times I kissed those lips, how she moaned my name in ecstasy, thrusting…
I’ve got to stop.
“I’m fine.” Her soft voice is firm, and she straightens, cutting a look in the direction from where she was pushed.
“That’s our cue,” I say, giving her a confident smile.
She inhales deeply then puts her hand on the outside of my forearm. It’s the most platonic touch, almost like she’s concerned I have a contagious illness. I hate it.
We walk slowly down the aisle, and the warmth of her body burns like fire at my side.
I reach over and cover her slim hand with mine, pulling it into the crook of my arm. She takes a sharp breath, but I don’t let her pull away. I want to hold her hand.
At the front, center, I give it a little squeeze before letting her go. She turns away and doesn’t respond, going to the end of the line.
The rest of the bridal party follows us, until at last, it’s Haddy’s turn.
The music changes, and the audience stands. We strain our eyes to see her walking down the aisle with one hand in her dad’s arm, and her baby girl Lucy cradled in her other.
She and the baby are both wearing glittering white dresses, and the candles and the setting sun cast it all in a dreamy glow.
When they reach the front, Gavin steps down to kiss his daughter before they hand her off to Haddy’s mom. Holding hands, they walk up the steps to the minister and begin all the rituals of the wedding ceremony.
My mind drifts over these past few days. I met all the men in this family this weekend, and they arecharacters. Gavin’s dad is former military and just like his son, only with lighter hair.
Haddy’s dad is the youngest of four football-playing brothers, which makes him loud and outgoing. Their favorite story is how he wore a snorkel mask to change Haddy’s poopie diapers… Trust me. I understood completely.
Baby girls might be sugar and spice and all that, but their dirty diapers stink to high heaven.
Gigi’s oldest uncle, Jack, was a single dad for a long time, which gave us an immediate connection. I stood back with him and his brother Zane, watching as poor Gavin got a lap dance from Haddy’s dad, Gigi’s dad, and their uncle Craig.
It left me concerned they mightallbe crazy… which would fit in very well back home in Eureka. No judgment.
Now, listening as they say their vows, I do my best to distract my mind from my own wedding. It’s a painful knot in my throat when I remember that guy, and all the dreams and hopes and fairytale ideas he had. How young he was.
I’ve been to therapy, and I don’t want to let the brokenness and guilt creep into my heart again. I’ve dealt with those wounds.
Still, watching this couple I know, these kind people with so much love and anticipation in their eyes, I wonder how much you can trust anything.
Dropping my chin, I look down at my feet as I do my best to maintain an open mind and heart. I have to for my daughter’s sake.
