Page 2 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
“Max Mok!”Bryce slaps me on the arm with too much force.“I thought it was you.”
Bryce has always delighted in saying my full name.He’s one of Malcolm’s friends from university, like me, but the two of us aren’t friends, not even on Facebook—I deleted his request—and I haven’t seen him in years.
“Hello, Bryce.”I hope if I don’t say anything more, he’ll leave me alone, even though I’m fairly sure that hope is in vain.
“You here alone?”he asks.
“Yes.”
He introduces me to his girlfriend just as a string quartet starts playing an Elton John song.“Don’t worry, we’ll find someone for you tonight.”
The last thing I need is Bryce’s help, but rather than expressing my thoughts on the matter, I simply thin my lips.
“Tessa has a friend who’s also a structural engineer,” he says.
“Mm-hmm.”I suppose he imagines us bonding over concrete, rebar, or similar.
I take a seat.Bryce, unfortunately, sits beside me, his date on his other side.
I’m pleased when the ceremony starts right on time.The groom and the groomsmen enter first, followed by the bridesmaids.The first bridesmaid bears a strong resemblance to Tessa, and I assume it’s her sister.
The second bridesmaid isher.The woman I met in front of the hotel.
Unlike earlier, she’s not swearing and glaring at her shoes; no, she’s walking regally down the aisle, pink and white bouquet held in both hands, a smile on her face.I’m next to the aisle, and when she walks by, I swear the air changes a little, though that might just be the breeze off the lake.
Her skin is pebbled with goose bumps; indeed, it’s not a very warm day for early June, and while the bridesmaid’s dress isn’t what I’d call skimpy, it has significantly less fabric than my suit.The sunlight brings out the brown highlights in her dark hair, which is in an updo.Her expression is determined, focused.I rather wish she’d glance my way, but she’s looking straight ahead, chin up.
“Max,” Bryce hisses, and I cringe when a few people turn in our direction before looking back at the bride.
Right.I get to my feet.I’m supposed to be standing because Tessa has made her entrance with her father and mother.
I was just too focused on the bridesmaid.
I wish I knew her name.I could ask Bryce later—he tends to know everyone—but the thought of having to ask him anything makes me shudder, so I nix that possibility.Besides, it’s not like I’m going to approach her.God, no.Say a cheesy line, ask if she wants to dance, stammer when she mentions a husband or wife?Nah, not my thing.
Yes, I’m a little shy.I might not show my anxiety on the outside, but I feel it nonetheless, and I’m not at my best when I’m surrounded by a hundred or so people, most of them strangers.
I turn my attention toward Malcolm and Tessa, who are staring adoringly into each other’s eyes.They met on a dating app seven years ago and got engaged five years later.
For a brief moment, I consider talking to the pretty bridesmaid at the reception.I do want what Malcolm and Tessa have, even if it’s something I rarely admit out loud.
“Ahhhhh!”
My thoughts are interrupted as the flower girl lets out an ear-piercing scream for no discernible reason and races back up the aisle.
See what I mean?Weddings are full of chaos.
Chapter 2
Kim
Itwasahecticday preparing for the wedding, especially since the flower girl was a bit of an escape artist, but aside from her scream, the ceremony went well.I didn’t even mind the personalized vows.
If I ever get married—I won’t, but let’s pretend for a moment—I will not be writing my own vows.They’re usually cringeworthy, though these were better than average and mercifully short.
And now, my friend is married, the bridal party pictures are complete, and Tessa and Malcolm are taking couple’s photos in the picturesque garden by the lake.I wrap myself in a shawl and grab a fruity cocktail from a passing server.
“Thank you,” I murmur before going to huddle by one of the heaters.It’s fucking freezing today, and the ceremony and cocktails are outdoors; dinner is under a big white tent.I thought early June was supposed to be warmer than this.
