I take a breath, trying to figure out how to let him down easy. “I don’t want to intrude. I barely know your sister."
Michael laughs, “You don't have to know Kandice. You’re coming as a favor to me. My family already knows you, and they like you. It will take a ton of pressure off me. I don't have time to come up with a date on my own.”
The word date has me tongue–tied. “But the rehearsal dinner...isn’t that usually a family thing? Or an attendant thing.”
“I actually tried to get them to let you be a bridesmaid. Mom wasn’t going for it. I’d much rather walk down the aisle with you than with my cousin.”
I can feel things moving in a direction I'm not comfortable with. I struggle to put on the brakes. “I have to work on the day of the rehearsal. And it’s in Seattle. That's a long drive. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”
“Can’t you get it off?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It's okay if you just come to the wedding and reception. It's at the most exclusive country club in Seattle, one my grandparents have belonged to for years. The gardens are beautiful, and the food will be fantastic. I promise it will be fun.”
“I don't know Michael.”
“Please, Jess. I'll owe you. Whatever you need. Anything, anytime."
But it's what I owe him that gets to me. He paid for me to go skydiving and he's still talking to me even though I told him I didn't like him that way. "Okay, I'll be there. I’m excited to see this place.”
"Just the place?" he asks.
"It will be fun to see your family again too," I add.
"Not exactly what I was fishing for, but I'll take it. See you soon, Jess, and thank you."
When I hang up the phone, I sit for a long time, trying to analyze my feelings for Michael—realizing Ihavefeelings for Michael. I’m working to convince myself that I'm only going to the wedding as a favor for a friend. I can still keep him at arm's length.
I can't tell him I'm excited to see him too.
twenty-three
Tow Trucks and Lace
We’re in the middle of the dance floor after the wedding. Michael leans back and looks in my eyes. “Did I mention you look incredible?”
“Thanks, I thought you’d be impressed that I picked out a dress by myself.”By myselfis a bit of a stretch. I borrowed the dress from my roommate Nichole. It's a great dress, light blue, form-fitting, but also flowy. As Nichole put it—elegant, but not too formal, sophisticated yet flirty, sexy yet conservative.
Michael ducks his head. “Sorry about that.”
“You look pretty good yourself.” I answer as he spins me in an easy arch. He’s a great dancer, and he looks incredible in his dress uniform.
The next song is slower. He pulls me against his chest and sings in my ear. I’ve had guys do that before. It always bothered me. This time I find it incredibly romantic and sexy. Too romantic, too sexy. I pullaway, establishing a morefriendlydistance and focus on the crowd around us.
The bride, Michael's sister Kandice, is in one corner, dancing with her new husband. They aren’t cuddled up like most newlyweds would be. Her eyes are alive with mischief, and they’re talking in conspiratorial whispers.
Michael notices them too. He shakes his head. “Here it comes. She’s been too good this whole time. Kandice loves to make my mom crazy. This is her wedding, and she’s got something in mind to prove that.”
I watch the couple with more interest. When the song ends, they leave the dance floor and go to a corner by themselves.
Michael watches them go. “That reminds me, I have some groomsman, brother of the bride duties to attend to. Are you okay if I leave for a little while?”
“I’ll manage.”
Michael steers me to a table populated by one of his aunts and a couple of his cousins. As soon as he’s gone, they start in on a sales pitch of Michael, almost like they’ve been coached. I listen politely and keep one eye on Kandice. So far, nothing interesting has happened.
The cake cutting and the bouquet toss go off without incident. Michael comes back in, rubbing his hands with a paper towel. He stands between me and his dad.
