Page 24 of Deal Breaker
Had the wedding been during the summer, an outdoor wedding ceremony at Holiday Springs would have been absolutely glorious. The tranquil area—surrounded by nature, with perfectly manicured lawns, a babbling mountain brook, and apple and oak trees—provided the much-needed intimacy and privacy for such an occasion.
Because it was freezing, Joshua and Brianna had opted for the warmer but less picturesque indoor area instead. The seats, with their gold backs and cream-colored cushions, were adorned with deep, dark red ribbons, the same color as the bridesmaids’ dresses and the groomsmen’s cravats. There was a flowered arch where the couple would exchange vows and a piano to one side.
If I weren’t so damn hungover and wracked with guilt, I would have been able to appreciate the beauty much more.
Joshua beckoned Evan, Trent, and me over.
“You two know what you’re doing?” Joshua wagged his finger between Trent and me.
“Yeah, we’re making sure everyone gets to their seats in good time before the ceremony starts,” cited Trent.
“They should start arriving any minute now.” Joshua glanced over the doorway, where a couple of older guests stood. “Geez, trust Aunt Bonnie to be first.”
“Would you expect anything less? She’ll be the first at her own funeral,” joked Evan. “Max, make sure you get her a good seat in the front? We’ll never hear the end of it otherwise.”
I saluted. “Got it.”
Joshua shifted from foot to foot, fidgeting with his cravat. He kept glancing towards the doorway.
“She’ll be here,” said Evan, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Brianna wants to marry you more than anything in the world. There’s no way she’d back out.”
The groom exhaled a hard breath. “I know, man. But this is the first time I’ve felt it for real.” He put a hand over his heart, suddenly serious. “Felt it here. This is the rest of my life, and it won’t be the same after today. I love Brianna more than anything, and I can’t believe that today, after all these years, I’m going to be marrying her. From childhood crush to wife.” Joshua shook his head, swiping a hand across his face, brushing away tears I knew he wouldn’t want us to see. “It’s gotten to me.”
Instantly, Sophie’s face came into my head as I understood exactly what Joshua was saying. But her expression when I’d suggested she shimmy out of the window this morning would haunt me for eternity. Why was I such an idiot?
Evan gathered his younger brother into a bear hug. “You big softie.”
“I know you guys can’t see it, because you don’t have it yet.” Joshua looked at the three of us. “It’s everything,she’severything. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.”
I could have had it, but I blew it. Big time.
Regret seeped out of my pores. This weekend could have been the opportunity to tell Sophie how I really felt, but I had to blow it by drinking too much with my buddies.
A chorus of chatter from the door signaled time for us to begin our duties. Trent and I turned, and we walked towards the guests, getting ready to seat them.
Although we’d done some practice at the rehearsal dinner the previous evening, suddenly doing it for real felt different.
Trent and I escorted the guests to their seats, linking arms with the aunts and female cousins, and the children, chatting and joking with the uncles and the other male guests. There was much laughter, and smiling, and happiness. For the most part it was genuine, but at times it seemed hollow to me.
As if nothing meant anything if it wasn’t Sophie.
Shortly before the ceremony was due to start, I spotted her. Flanked either side by Autumn and Jodie, she looked… I couldn’t even begin to describe it.
The rest of the congregation melted away, and it was only Sophie and I in the room.
Exquisite. Elegant. Beautiful.Perfect.
Her blonde hair was fastened in some kind of half-up, half-down style, blonde waves cascading over her shoulders. She reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear, and I instantly wished I could do it for her instead. The dress she wore matched the color of my cravat identically, almost as if she had planned it. Of course, Brianna would probably have shared her ideas for a color scheme. It was typical Sophie that she would have picked up on it. The neckline emphasized her creamy neck and skin; I wanted to feather kisses along that line.
She was so refined. So sophisticated. Classy.
Why would she even want to be with me?
After this morning, it was less of a possibility than I could ever have thought.
I couldn’t help but stare at her, until Trent slapped me on the shoulder.
“You okay, buddy? Lost you there for a minute.”
