“I need a distraction. Let’s talk about something other than the wedding. Let’s see what can we talk about?” He taps a finger to his lips, pretending to think. “Oh, I know. The photos I found in my truck.”
I groan. Earlier, I faked an errand to escape his teasing. He’d shown all the groomsmen, Emma, even Mema. And I’m sure Ava confronted Morgan after Emma sent her the photos. Who knows howthatconversation went.
“Don’t start. You’ve embarrassed me enough for one day.”
“Okay, okay. But just between you and me. How was it? The kiss, I mean.”
I draw in a slow breath, waiting for his taunts to continue, but then let it out when they don’t. “It was…good.”
He slides his phone from his suit jacket’s inner pocket, locates the photo, and then waves it in front of my face.
“Okay, fine. It was really good. There. Are you happy? I said it.”
He tucks his phone away. “Yes, actually. I’m happy for many reasons.” He peeks into the sanctuary, and I follow his gaze. “You need to ask her out, but we’ll circle back to this conversation in a week or so.”
He returns to pacing, and I roll my eyes. He’ll never give up. I continue to scan the room until I scowl at a tall boy with an annoyingly charming smile.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“There he is. This is why there’s no need to revisit the Morgan conversation. I can’t ask her out. She’s still hung up on what’s his name. The pretty boy.” I gesture toward Leo chatting up guests.
Hudson scowls. “What’s he doing here?”
“Sheinvited him. Why else would he be here?”
“I don’t know. The last I heard, she’s not a big fan of the guy. Maybe he just showed up. And if I’m right, you have to stay and see how things play out. You’re not still planning to leave after the reception, are you?”
“We’ll see.” I trail off, not quite believing his theory. She had to have invited him.
The music crescendos, and the other groomsmen join us.
We take our places next to Hudson on our side of the archway, facing a chapel of friends and family and breathing in the white roses’ scent.
The photographer must’ve arrived because a man I don’t recognize snaps away on a fancy black camera.
My mind wanders while the song comes to a close. Maybe Ishouldtalk to Morgan. Find out for sure what’s going on with Pretty Boy.
When the guests stand and pivot toward the back of the sanctuary, Leo smiles and winks at someone I can’t see, though I know who it is.
Maybe not.
The music changes, and my chest tightens when Morgan appears between the open doors. The evening sunlight streams around her as she leads the bridesmaids on their slow procession. Her silvery blue dress flows around her, and her bouquet of white and blue flowers perfectly matches the room. Her long, golden-brown hair, though partially pinned back, still cascades over her shoulders. Her warm brown eyes peer over her pink cheeks. She ducks her chin as everyone stares.
She’s breathtaking.
Those cheeks lift into a smile, and I return the gesture before she takes her spot on the archway’s other side.
The other bridesmaids and Ava make their way down the aisle, and the minister begins.
The ceremony flies by in a blur of vows and rings. The bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife, and we file out to congratulate the happy couple. Once the sanctuary clears, we return for photos and then follow the guests to the reception.
The lake glitters. The sun is low, promising a fantastic Oklahoma sunset. The strung lights are already twinkling around the pavilion, showcasing our hard work over the last two days.
I’m seated at a table with various family members while Morgan dines with her parents and an assortment of other guests. Leo’s at another table with his mother. Good. He cranes his neck to glimpse Morgan. Of course, so do I, so I turn around to my dinner.
After a while, Emma saunters over and captures clips for her send-off video from my family. I’m not ready to deliver mine, so I tell her I’ll do it in a little while.
“Will, I just heard about the wedding planner fiasco,” my mom says from across the table as she cuts the last bit of her chicken. “You didn’t tell me you had to work so much this weekend. I’d hoped the lake time would be fun since you had to miss part of your senior trip. Has it been terrible?”
