Page 45 of The Summer Dare
Every bride should only dream of looking this good on their wedding day. Her smile is infectious as she sees her groom waiting for her. You can feel their love from across the yard as she glides to him.
To my surprise, before Vince can give her away, the officiant who looks like he could be my grandpa has a few pointed words to say to the groom. “Now, Damien, Vanessa is a precious girl.”
Damien nods in agreement, but the officiant continues. “Now her brother Vince may be giving her away, but if you pull any funny business,I’llbe the one takin’ care of things. Remember, I grew up in the South and Iknowhow to hide a body.”
Oh my god, did he really just say that? The entire yard waits on bated breath for Damien’s response.
But the little flower girl pipes up for all of us to hear, “Really? Will you teach me that trick? Ialwaysget caught in hide and seek.”
Holy shit. That is priceless. I’m not sure where to look first. Everyone’s shocked expression feeds off one another. Once the groom laughs, the entire yard roars with laughter. Some are doubled over; others wipe tears from their cheeks.
That girl is a riot. When everyone calms down, she punches her fist to her waist irritated that everyone was laughing I’m sure. “Well, Jack, will ya teach me how to hide ‘em?”
Bless that man’s heart, he schools his features and nods. “When you’re older, darling, I’ll show you just where to go.”
After the crowd settles again, the rest of the wedding goes by in a blur. That officiant kept this bridal party on their toes as he zipped off one-liners when you least expected it. By the time the bride and groom kissed, and everyone walked back down the aisle, my side hurt form laughing so much.
Ryan and I helped move chairs from the ceremony to the tables on the other side of the yard for the reception. Correct that, I moved my chair, and the groomsmen and a few of the guys I recognize from the basketball team had them all moved before the rest of us could think about it.
Before I know it, the reception’s in full swing. There’s dancing, lots of food and drinks. Ryan’s talking with a group of guys near the bar and I’m sitting at a table with Sydney, Margo, the bride’s best friend, and a girl by name of Chloe. Vanessa’s dancing with her father-in-law and Jules and we’re just enjoying the show.
Sydney looks to me and grins. “I’m so glad you’re here with Ryan. It’s great to see himfinallydating.”
Margo pipes in, “I’m glad you’re here to help him through it all.”
Repeating their words in my head, I finally have to ask, “What do you mean?”
Margo laughs once, then says, “For the longest time he’s had a crush on Vanessa.” Then she adds conspiratorially, “Of course, she was none the wiser.”
I look to Ryan who’s talking with Vince, Damien, and the other groomsmen.
“Ryan’s always been the sweetest guy,” Sydney chimes in.
Chloe looks to the group of guys, one in particular she’s been staring at all night long and sighs, “I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to go to the wedding of my longest crush.”
“No kidding.” Margo laughs, then glances at the group of guys. There’s one in particular that’s had her attention tonight, but I can’t remember if his name is Tre or DeShawn. All I know is he’s a basketball player, going to Boston Law next fall.
When Vanessa joins the group of guys, I watch as Ryan pulls her in for a hug. He says something to her and she laughs. Then she says something in return to him. When she turns her attention to Damien, I watch as Ryan shakes his head and looks away.
Holy shit. It’s Vanessa.
She’s the girl who’s held his heart since freshman year.
Words he said to convince me to come tonight flood my mind.
There’s nothing I won’t do for either of them.
Holy shit, he brought me here to be his buffer.
When Ryan steps inside, I say to the table, “Will you excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
They pay me no attention, as they’ve moved on to Margo’s date for the night.
Thankfully, I don’t run into Ryan as I slip into the house and grab my purse from the room I’d left it in.
Needing air, and to think, I slip out the front door.
Pulling up the app on my phone, I think of calling a car, but I don’t want to stick around in case Ryan decides to lookfor me. Instead, I make the hasty decision to walk the two miles back to my car.
