Page 79 of Just the Tipsy
“Don’t smile, then,” JD says as he passes by. Waylon laughs, but JD is dead serious.
“I’ve never had to get so many photos taken in my life,” Waylon continues to me. “I don’t think I could cut it as a model, aside from the obvious reasons.”
“You’d actually be good at it,” I say, pulling a hair off his sleeve. “You’re really photogenic.”
“I am?” He looks genuinely surprised.
“You’ve never looked at yourself in a photo?”
“I mean, not very hard.” He shrugs. “I just kind of assumed I looked decent enough most of the time.”
“That’s a very guy answer.” I smile and put my drink down on one of the high-top tables.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” a photographer says. “But I’d love to get a photo of you two if you’re up to it.”
“Sure.” Waylon slides an arm around my waist and pulls me close. My immediate urge is to pose and not smile, but I decide to be a normal person and just…smile. My normal smile instead of the one I’ve perfected for photoshoots.
“Excellent, thank you so much.” The photographer leaves us alone.
Waylon grabs a drink off a tray as a waiter passes by. The DJ starts up some music and a few people start dancing already.
“Just a warning, I’m a terrible dancer,” he says as he looks around at his family.
“Like how bad? Funny bad, or just tragic?” I ask.
“Depends on who you ask and when.” He scans the crowd. “It’ll probably be funny later tonight.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” And it’s been so long since I’ve actually danced at an event rather than sitting around, looking at everyone else.
We don’t have much time to linger, though — the attendants whisk us over into the barn for dinner. Circular tables span half of the space, with the other half being a dance floor with the DJ booth.
We find our names on one of the first tables, alongside John David, Ash, and his parents. I swallow and sit down in between Ash and Waylon. Ash already looks a little drunk, and I can’t tell if John David was or not — his face is just as stoic as always.
“Such a lovely ceremony, wasn’t it?” Delia says when we sit down. She looks pretty in a light blue dress, her dark hair in a chignon.
“It was,” I say. Each plate has a menu on top with various courses, and my spot has a little circle indicating I’m dairy free. I completely forgot to tell Rose, so I’m guessing Waylon is the one who did it.
“I love weddings. This turned out so well too. All the planning Rose and I did really paid off.” Delia smooths her napkin into her lap.
Mr. Stryker just grunts in agreement, throwing back his drink. Ash sighs through his nose.
“What’s wrong already?” Mr. Stryker asks Ash, his tone sharp.
“It’s nothing. Why does it always have to be something?” Ash asks. “I just sighed, for fuck’s sake.”
“We have a guest, Ashley,” Delia says, glancing at me. “Watch your language.”
“You’re an adult, aren’t you?” Ash asks me. I just nod. “She’ll live with me saying a few four letter words, Mom.”
“It’s still impolite.” Delia sips her drink, leaving a light lipstick print on the rim. “Anyway, hopefully we can plan another wedding soon.”
She gives us a not-so-subtle look.
“Mom, do we have to do this?” Waylon asks, clearly uncomfortable rather than flat out annoyed. “We should just focus on Rose and Wes.”
“Fine, fine. Later.” Delia smiles at me. “Plus, you haven’t properly been brought into Jepsen. There are so many ways to get involved. You can fill up all your time and then some.”
I nod, even though the idea of stuffing every minute of my day with activities sounds like a nightmare, especially social stuff. I can sense Waylon’s slight annoyance but he doesn’t speak. But Delia picks up on it anyway.
