Page 57 of The Jellybean Dilemma

When we got back, Mandy begged me to go with her to the hotel while she got ready. “You’ve been my good luck charm so far, and it wouldn’t feel right without you there.”

I couldn’t say no, so I grabbed my dress, my shoes, my makeup and kissed Greg goodbye. When we arrived at the hotel, Simone escorted us to the room where we could get ready. Erin and Lauren joined us a few minutes later.

Mandy hated her first hairstyle but couldn’t say why. At last, I dragged it out of her that it was too poufy in front, and the stylist toned it down. The end result was intricate and beautiful, a sweeping updo with looping braids, twists and curls befitting a princess. When Mandy put on her dress and tiara, her veil flowing down behind her, that was exactly what she looked like.

Erin and Lauren had their hair done in simpler updos that were also elegant. Their dresses were black, not a traditional bridesmaid color, but, being New Year’s Eve, Mandy had thought black, silver and gold would be perfect. Erin, as the maid of honor, had gold accents. Lauren had silver, and their groomsmen would match.

About half an hour before the wedding was supposed to start, Greg texted me that he had arrived. I glanced over once more at the full-length mirror, making sure I was ready to go. I’d gone with part of my hair pulled back, keeping it out of my face to show off my dangling, swirly earrings. The rest of my hair cascaded over my shoulders in large curls.

My dress was a dark teal. Its simple fitted bodice had one shoulder strap on the left side and the flowing skirt reached to the floor. A slit opened to my right thigh, and I wore a silver tennis bracelet on my right wrist.

“You look great, Rhonda. As always.” Mandy swallowed. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you this week. Thanks so much for being here.” Her voice cracked on the last word.

I scowled as I admonished her. “Don’t you even think about crying! You’ll ruin your makeup.” We both laughed, and I pulled her in for a hug, squeezing tightly. “Thanks for letting me be a part of all this.” We shared a shaky laugh before I left.

In the hallway, I took a moment to compose myself before going to find Greg. The elevator opened at the lobby of the main floor to a bustling crowd of people. I had to push my way through them, fighting the flow of traffic to reach the hallway outside of the ballroom where Mandy’s wedding would be held. Greg’s voice found my ears before I saw him. Then I found him, and he stole my breath.

The dark gray pinstriped suit was tailor-made for him. He could have walked straight out of a magazine, and I had to tell my heart to slow down for surely I would die if it kept up this pace. As I made my way toward him, I saw he was talking to three guys and some of his words reached me.

“Oh, she’s a handful all right.” He chuckled as all the guys exchanged grins. “A real diva.”

I paused for a split second as doubt spiraled through me. Does he mean me? I nibbled at my lip, waiting to see if he said more, but I caught his attention and he turned.

His eyes widened as he took me in. “Rhonda, wow, you look absolutely amazing,” he said with a full smile as he scanned my length. “Guys, this is my girlfriend, Rhonda Elgin.”

He introduced me, but I tuned out their names, even as I robotically grinned and shook their hands. Had his eyes widened because he had been talking about me? Or because of my appearance?

No, Greg wouldn’t talk about me like that. Right? I waited for my resounding, confident self to answer back, but only silence greeted me. The seedling of doubt sprouted in my upper abdomen, just below my rib cage, and I didn’t have the ability to squash it.

The ushers led us to our seats, in the second row from the front on the bride’s side. A black swath of fabric ran up the aisle between the myriad of white chairs, leading to a flower crested archway at the front of the ballroom. The white and peach roses would complement the silver and gold accents of the bridesmaids’ outfits. Dull afternoon light filtered in through the many large windows spaced around, the whited-out view another reminder the blizzard was now in full swing.

“How’d the afternoon go?” Greg asked.

“Fine,” I said, trying not to sound too stilted. I needed to just let it go, and I tried to shove his words aside, but they hovered in my mind as I described the issue with Mandy’s hair and how profusely she thanked me.

Greg started to respond, but the music changed. We all turned to watch Peter lead his grandmothers then his mom in. Mandy’s mom was next. Julie gave me a happy smile and a little finger wave. Then Peter took his place at the front of the room, puffing his cheeks as he blew out a nervous breath.

An instrumental song started, and Lauren walked by with her husband, taking their places at the front of the room. Next came Erin and Dale, walking along in perfect time with the beat, though Erin held Dale’s arm a bit stiffly. There was an awkward tension between them, making me wonder just what had happened after we’d left last night.

Pachelbel’s Canon in D started up as the minister signaled us to stand. We turned as one toward the back of the room where Mandy appeared on her father’s arm. She was gorgeous in her floor-length strapless gown, beaming behind her gauzy veil. Her sweeping train trailed behind her—every step placed in complete and utter confidence, as if certain she were doing the right thing.

What would that feel like?

I couldn’t help glancing at Greg. He had his hands clasped in front of him while he intently watched his sister walk down the aisle. I scanned the room. So many other couples were holding hands, with fond smiles on their faces as they leaned into one another. Yeah, we’re new, but couldn’t Greg give me something?

The seedling of doubt sprouted roots that threaded through my stomach.

When Mr. Peterson gave away his daughter, a pang hit me, right in my gut, as I realized I’d been so close to doing this with Kevin. When Mr. Peterson lifted his daughter’s veil and kissed her cheek, I imagined my father doing it for me.

Not that I’d wanted to marry Kevin.

No, that ship had long since sailed, but the idea of my father giving me away to a man I loved was so poignant and beautiful that I sniffed. Then I dug into my clutch for the emergency pack of tissues I’d thrown in there. Just in case.

The ceremony was short and sweet, a few readings, a few songs, “I do”s and a kiss. Then we were cheering for the first-time-ever-Mr.-and-Mrs. Peter Harris. Being in the second row, we didn’t have to wait long for the reception line. But we did have to hang around before going to the reception itself because Mandy wanted Greg in some of her pictures. She insisted I be included, too, which felt weird. It made her happy, though.

Finally, we were dismissed along with the rest of the family to make our way to the reception. Greg reached to hold my hand for the first time that night. I must have made an odd face because he asked, “What?”

I didn’t want to explain, to start anything at his sister’s wedding so I shook my head. Seats at the reception were assigned, and we sat with Greg’s parents. His uncle Harry was at our table too, along with his wife Pamela and their three children, all about my age. Their youngest boy, Trevor, had just graduated high school earlier this year and just about drooled over me, until Greg put his arm around my shoulders.

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