Page 70 of Faking the Pass
“Wow. You look like a fairy queen.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the remark in the way it was meant, as the highest of compliments.
“You look wonderful, too,” I said. “You must be Lily.”
“Yes. And Uncle Presley says I’m his favorite niece, but really I’m his only niece. He’s waiting for you, and he looks fancy, too. My daddy’s the bestest man, and Uncle Wilder and Uncle Merc are also bestest mans.”
Olivia squatted down to speak on the little girl’s level. “Okay, it’s time to do your job. Remember what to do?”
Lily nodded eagerly. “Yes. Walk real slow and throw petals all over the island.”
“The aisle. Yes. When you get to the front, you can go and sit with your grandmother and grandfather.”
Before she began her walk, Lily looked back over her shoulder at me.
“This is the best day of my whole life,” she said with all the solemnity a six year old could possibly display.
My stomach sank. I felt so guilty. I couldn’t believe Presley had involved his whole family in this parody of a wedding.
What was poor little Lily going to think when we got divorced a few months from now? Would it destroy her earliest impressions of what love and marriage were supposed to be?
After a minute, Olivia addressed Danielle. “Your turn.”
My friend gave me a quick side hug then walked toward the chapel’s open door. It was a little dark inside, but I could see the glow of candlelight.
Electricity hadn’t existed back when the ancient chapel was constructed. As its windows were stained glass, I assumed the candlelight was necessary to see by.
Then it was my turn to go. My knees were wobbling like Jello, and my hands were about to shake the petals off the bouquet that Olivia had handed me.
She gave me a huge grin, wrinkling her nose. “You’re gorgeous. His eyes are going to pop right out of his head when he sees you.”
And then I was walking into the chapel and down the center aisle. Each of the benches lining it was marked by a stand of colorful mixed blooms and a flickering gas lantern.
There were only eight pews, but even then, they were not all filled. I was too freaked out to look around and see who was there, but I couldn’t help but see Presley and his three enormous brothers standing to one side of the minister.
And he did appear to be an actual minister instead of a justice of the peace. He was wearing a long white robe and stole.
Great. Now I wouldn’t be just lying in front of Presley’s family, I’d be lying to God as well.
On his other side stood Danielle, who looked like she was fighting tears, despite knowing full well this was all just an act.
I was feeling the threat of impending tears myself for some reason.
Especially when Presley lifted his eyes.
When he saw me approaching, his face changed, going from all smiles to a serious, almost stricken expression.
Was he realizing at the last minute he couldn’t go through with this? I wouldn’t blame him.
The thought caused me to stop mid-stride.
Then his chest rose and fell, and he blinked several times before bursting into a huge smile and shaking his head as if in awe.
Wow.
I’d always thought he was gorgeous, but seeing Presley smile like that, I was ready to cut the aggressive gridiron groupies some slack.
He had to be the most handsome groom ever in the history of groomdom.
