Page 4 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
“The 401 was even worse than usual, which is saying something.”
Since I’m in the bridal party, I drove in last night, and I managed to time it such that the traffic was only moderately terrible.This is the farthest I’m traveling for a wedding this year, thankfully.
I grew up in the Toronto area, as did Iris.To be honest, I’m glad I didn’t grow up in a place like this.The city is more my style—and I suspect this town doesn’t have any good dim sum.
“He’s looking at you again,” Iris says.“Maybe you’ll hit it off, and next year, I’ll be going to your wedding.”
“Oh, please.”
“Once upon a time, I was like you.”She smiles.“But not everyone changes their mind.I know that, don’t worry.I won’t tell Tessa to throw the bouquet straight to you.”
I give her a look.“You better not.”
The reception proceeds as planned, more or less.The food is good but ultimately forgettable—I requested steak, and we’re all served a salad before our main course.Speeches are made.The emcee attempts a few terrible jokes.
I’m not sure anyone planned on Tessa’s mom speaking for a full twenty-five minutes, but it’s a moving speech.It also has a few moments that make everyone laugh.Tessa embraces her mom afterward, and I think they both shed a few tears—they’re closer than me and my mother.
That’s another reason I don’t want to get married: I hate to imagine what my mother would be like with a wedding on the horizon.Just the thought of her making a speech sends shivers down my spine.
I’m seated at the head table, and Max is at a table with a few of Malcolm’s friends from university, as well as a few of Tessa’s friends.He’s next to a white guy whom he clearly finds annoying.At one point, he glances in my direction, and when I smile at him, he quickly turns away.I doubt this guy will make the first move, but that’s fine.I’m happy to make the moves.
After dinner is finished and the bride and groom have their first dance as a married couple, I saunter his way.He’s standing by the edge of the tent, beside the guy who was sitting with him earlier.
“Hey!”I say.“You’re Malcolm’s friends, right?I’m Kim.”
“I’m Bryce.”Bryce gestures to the man next to him.“This is Max.”
“You’re here alone, Max, aren’t you?”I hold out my hand.“Wanna dance?”
Bryce walks away, thankfully, leaving us alone.
Rather than answering my question, Max says, “How’s your leg?”He has a low, pleasing voice.
“Scraped my knee, but that’s covered by the dress.I’m just glad I didn’t rip the fabric.”I step closer.“I saw you looking at me earlier.”
“Did you?”There’s not much inflection in his voice, nor much change to his expression, but I sense that he’s slightly alarmed by my observation.
“Yep!”I say cheerfully.“Don’t worry, I liked it.You look like the star in the drama I’m watching.”
Once again, he looks slightly alarmed.
“Except you have short hair,” I say, “and you’re not, like, the biggest villain in the universe and thirty thousand years old.”I pause.“At least, I don’t think you are.”
Hmm.Maybe I shouldn’t have made that silly comparison.
But then he smiles.There we go.
“So, you wanna dance?”I ask.“You don’t have to move much.Just hold my hand, put your other hand on my waist, and let me do the moving, if that’s acceptable to you.”
If he rejects my advances, I’ll walk away.It’s fine.I’m sure I can find someone else—one of Malcolm’s cousins was flirting with me earlier, for example.
But as it turns out, that isn’t necessary.
He takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor, beneath the twinkling fairy lights, and excitement sizzles through my veins.He’s much taller than me; even though I’m wearing heels, I only go up to his chin.His other hand moves to my waist, and I can feel the warmth of his big hand through the thin material of my dress.
Mmm.That’s nice.
I haven’t felt anything quite like this in a long time, and the fact that I’m enjoying such a simple touch seems like a good sign for the rest of the night.
