Mira
“I think we’re ready,” Markie says, handing me a bouquet of wildflowers. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Adler?”
I roll my eyes, but that doesn’t stop the smile on my face. My brain can’t quite compute this situation. It should sound goofy for my sister to say this, considering the circumstances with which I’m becoming Mrs. Adler. And it does … kind of. It also sounds inexplicably exciting, a feeling I’m attributing to everyone’s positive energy rubbing off on me.
One day, I’ll be able to look back on this moment as a story from my wild youth, the best decision I ever made, or the day that I broke my own damn heart.Which one will it be?Time will tell.
“There you are,” Gray says, walking toward us. A piano begins to play, the music echoing through the halls of the small church. We’re tucked into a hallway out of sight from the guests who have already taken their seats. “I heard I’m escorting you down the aisle, Markie.”
“You heard right,” Markie answers him. “Okay, everyone. Listen up. The doors leading into the sanctuary are closed rightnow and will open in a few minutes. Once that happens, Gray and I will walk out slowly.” She turns to Jessica, the mom of the ring bearer. “Once we make it to the front, Lilly can make her way to us.” She smiles at the cute little blonde. “Okay, Lilly?”
“I’m gonna be great at this,” Lilly says, holding the darling pillow with our rings as if it holds the key to world peace.
We all smile.
“Then, when the bridal chorus begins, you’ll do your thing, Mira,” Markie says. “And remember to take your time. This is your moment.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I say, grinning at her.
Jessica has a question, and Markie steps to the side to answer her. Gray turns to me.
“You look beautiful, Mira,” he says.
I blush, not expecting a compliment from my almost-brother-in-law. “Thanks, Gray.”
“You know,” he says, fixing his tie, “I always wondered if this day would come. Or if you two would be so fucking hardheaded that you’d rather be miserable your whole lives.”
My blush deepens, and I’m not sure how to answer him.He really thought his brother and I would end up married?
“You really shouldn’t cuss in church, you know,” I tease instead of directly answering his non-question.
He snorts. “Trust me. God doesn’t have time to worry about me. He’s too busy making sure Brooks’s bullshit doesn’t catch this place on fire.”
I laugh.He’s probably onto something there.
“No, but seriously … welcome to the family,” Gray says.
“I appreciate that very much.”
He gives his arm to Markie as she returns and takes a breath. “It’s go time.” They step into the foyer and face the doors, sealing the entryway from the sanctuary. The music changes, growing slower, as the doors creak open.
My heart begins to pound so hard that I’m woozy on my feet. I clutch my flowers, watching Lilly’s reaction to the number of people in attendance. Her wide eyes and hushed whispers to her mother make my stomach flip.
Suddenly, I wish I weren’t alone. I knew Miles wouldn’t attend well before he told me that, and I didn’t think it would matter. But I just wish there was someone here to make this journey with me, someone who I could call in a moment like this.
When did my life become so solitary? Is it just because I’m surrounded by all of these people who obviously care deeply about each other? Does that make my loneliness feel bigger than it really is?
I’m wearing my mother’s wedding dress in an impromptu wedding with the only man I could ever fathom marrying. That could be the cause. Well, that or my nomadic lifestyle has been a little too effective at making me a loner.
Do not cry, Mira. You’ll ruin your makeup.My chest shakes as I breathe, and I know tears are a moment away.
I take the blue handkerchief that Lolly gave me and dab my eyes. Just as Markie and Gray take their first step toward the aisle, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
Miles?
I gasp a breath and look over my shoulder to find Brooks watching me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him. “Shouldn’t you have taken your seat?”
