Marco gave me a thumbs-up, then went back to work. IfNana hadn’t been physically pushing me out of the room, I might’ve asked for his number so we could keep in better touch. I’d only been a sophomore during his senior year; his popularity had intimidated me.
It didn’t now.
***
The party, Da joked, was popping. There were peopleeverywhere.My family, Katie’s family, my parents’ friends, Katie’s parents’ friends, and friends of the bride and groom. Ember & Ash servers skillfully weaved in between everyone, offering hors d’oeuvres.
My stomach growled. I’d gotten a sneak peek at the menu last week and had been looking forward to it since then. The stuffed portobello mushrooms could be skipped, but the beef tenderloin bites with caramelized onions and blue cheese?
Even with Nana at my side, I felt like I was approaching my high school’s tightest clique as I made my way to the bridal party. They had staked out a spot by the keeping room’s crackling fire. “Can we get a drink first?” I whispered to my grandmother. “I don’t know what to do with my hands.” They flopped lifelessly at my sides.
In response, my grandmother rerouted us to the bar in the library, where she ordered a chardonnay for herself and a Coke for me. I inwardly sighed, having pictured myself drinking clubsoda and cranberry juice with a slice of lime; it would look more cosmopolitan.
But Nana knew me too well. I loved an ice-cold Coca-Cola and would definitely need a serious sugar rush for this.
Armed with my emotional-support beverage, I let Nana lead me into Katie’s clutches. “You have nothing to worry about,” she whispered. “I introduced myself to them earlier—we know Katie’s horrible at that—and they seem like nice women.”
Women.
I was agirl.
Austin,where are you?I thought. He was so good at this stuff.
By the time we reached the bridal circle, my pulse was pounding so hard that I barely heard myself say, “Hey, Katie.”
Then I immediately noticed Nana had ghosted me.
Katie, wearing a white halter dress and wineglass in hand, opened her mouth, but someone beat her to the punch. “Oh my god!” a woman exclaimed. “We were just talking about you! You’re Mads, right? The sister Austin never shuts up about?”
“Well, to be fair, I’m his only one,” I replied.
The bridesmaid laughed. She smiled and stuck out her hand, the gold knot bracelet on her wrist shining as we shook. “I’m Amanda. Katie’soldersister.”
Katie rolled her eyes, like this was an inside and reoccurring joke. “Only by a year.”
“Still.” Amanda lovingly patted Katie’s cheek. “Older, wiser,and whatever else it is they say.” She looked back at me. “I’m also the MOH.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “The MOH?”
“The maid of honor,” another bridesmaid translated. “I’m Reese, and I believe my title ischildhood best friend.”
Then there was Courtney, a cousin.
Paige, another cousin.
Yasmin, a college friend.
“And my college roommate…” Katie began.
“Is finally here,” Yasmin finished, waving her arm in the air. “Mer!”
“Hey, guys!” A seventh bridesmaid joined our group. She had bright green eyes and honey-colored hair that cascaded down her back. I was instantly obsessed with her one-shoulder black jumpsuit and chunky gold heels. “I’m so sorry we’re late,” she said, hugging Katie. “Our flight was delayed, and then we sat forever at the gate in Philly. Stephen also forgot to book our Uber in advance…”
“My oh my, where in the world did the Witrys come from this time?” Reese asked dryly.
“We just did three months in St. Croix,” the new bridesmaid answered. “One of the many wonders of remote jobs, Reese.” They hugged. “But I know you are married to Manhattan.”
“’Til death do us part,” Reese quipped, then gestured to me. “This is Mads, Katie’s soon-to-be sister-in-law.”
