Page 172 of Forever

The photographer snapped a picture of us standing there. That definitely wouldn’t be a good one. We all just looked cold and worried.

I knew Brooklyn wanted to marry me. But I also knew how hard it was for her to break a promise. She probably felt like she was breaking a promise to Miller today. And I understood that better than anyone. I cleared my throat. “I’ll be right back.” I walked toward the restaurant before any of my friends could stop me. The blast of warm air when I opened the door didn’t feel like a relief. I needed to know that Brooklyn was okay.

I made my way through the empty restaurant to the back room where I knew she’d be. “Brooklyn?” I knocked on the door.

Kennedy opened it. “Thank God you’re here. We don’t know what to do. She won’t come out of the restroom and she won’t tell us why.” Kennedy grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the closed door.

“Can you give us a moment?” I asked.

She nodded and got all the bridesmaids and the kids to leave the room.

“Brooklyn?” I tried to open the door but it was locked. “Baby.” I pressed my palm against the door. “Let me in.”

“You can’t see me in my dress. It’s bad luck.”

“Don’t make me knock the door down again.”

She laughed.

That seemed like a good sign. “I swear I’ll do it.”

“It’s bad luck,” she said again.

Is that what this was about? Luck? “Remember what I told you when I proposed? I’m not scared of bad luck. The only thing that scares me is living one more second without you.”

“I know.” She didn’t sound upset. She sounded sure of herself.

I was so confused about what was wrong. Because from her voice, it didn’t seem like anything was. “Baby, tell me what’s going through that head of yours.”Even if it hurts me.Because this had to be about Miller. I rested my forehead against the door. I just wanted her in my arms. But this was as close as I could get.

“I just want to wait a few more minutes. And everyone is rushing me.”

“I’m not trying to rush you. But it’s kind of cold outside.”

She laughed again.

The sound made me smile. “Tell me why you want to wait. Because I’ve been waiting for 16 years. I don’t mind waiting a little longer. But I want to understand why.”

“It’s not about that.”

“Then what is it about?”

She sighed and I could tell she was right next to the door. Maybe she’d pressed her hand against the wood to get closer to me too. “I am one thousand percent in,” she said. “I love you with all my heart, Matt.”

“And I love you.” If she wasn’t thinking about Miller then…

“I just need to wait a few more minutes.”

“Okay,” I said. I didn’t understand, but maybe I didn’t need to. Maybe she just needed me here beside her. “Then I’ll wait with you.”

Silence stretched between us.

I so badly wanted to break down the door. But I didn’t want her to ever think she was bad luck.

“I just thought…” her voice trailed off.

I didn’t respond. I just waited for her to keep going.

“That maybe if I waited just a few more minutes my father would show up. I wanted today to be a fresh start. A clean slate. I know I don’t need him. I can walk down the aisle to you all by myself. But I wanted him here.” Her voice cracked.

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