Page 91 of Kissing for Keeps
The blush-colored, one-shoulder dress she’s wearing is beaded across the top while the same sleek material from Madi’s dress hugs her waist, hips, and legs, ending in a pair of heels. I’ve never seen her look so beautiful, and that’s saying something.
“Okay,” Madi says. “Thank you, Siena. Be right there.”
Siena smiles and, without even glancing at me, she walks away, partially visible as she heads toward the ceremony. Her dress hugs her hips with each step.
Madi clears her throat. “Will you stop checking out my best friend and walk me down the aisle already?”
My cheeks heat, and I take her hand, pulling it through my bent arm, still not sure how she feels about what’s happened today. But she made a joke, which gives me some hope. “I’ll do my best, but no promises.”
She rolls her eyes, and I take a moment to admire her. Technically, she’s married already, but this ceremony and everything that follows will make it feel more real. “I wish Dad could be here.”
“Me too,” she says, squeezing my arm.
“I’m sorry I’ve been a crappy stand-in for him.”
Her brows draw together. “I never expected that of you, Jack.”
“But other people did.” I blow out a breath. “I’m never going to be even half the man Dad was, Mads.”
She grimaces, searching my face. “I think you’ve idealized him, Jack. Dad was amazing, and I miss him every day, even after all these years. But he was still human.”
I chew my lip. “You know Mom’s photo album?”
She nods.
“I’ve looked at that thing a hundred times, memorizing every picture of him. But there’s one photo in particular that’s ingrained in my brain. I’m on Dad’s shoulders, you’re hanging onto his legs, and Mom’s watching from a few feet away.”
“I know the photo.”
Of course she does. Photos are Madi’s life. I narrow my eyes, picturing the image in my mind, faded colors and all. “We’re all looking at him like—”
“He’s the sun, and we’re revolving around him?”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“It’s a great photo,” she says with a hint of nostalgia. She chuckles. “Do you remember what happened after?”
I shake my head. If I had any sketching skills, I could reproduce that photo right now, but I don’t remember anything else about the day.
“He bought us cotton candy and a slushy drink. You spilled the slushy all over his head, and he yelled at you, so you started crying. Then my hands got so sticky from the cotton candy that I freaked out. Anyway, he made us all go home.” She bumps me with her shoulder. “Thanks a lot.”
I smile, vaguely remembering the day now that she’s mentioned it.
“He was just a dad doing his best, Jack. Besides, who cares about other people and what they expected? They don’t matter. AllI’veever wanted was an older brother.”
I let out a breath, and with it, the guilt and the expectations I’ve been carrying with me—apparently unnecessarily—for so many years. Maybe Ihaveidealized Dad. Those photos I’ve stared at so many times are just a handful of moments. Good moments. No one’s reaching for the camera when things are a mess, after all.
Knowing Dad wasn’t perfect doesn’t make me admire him any less. It just helps me give myself a little more grace.
“I think I can manage the brother thing.” I kiss her on the cheek. “You ready?”
She plants a kiss on mine. “I’m ready.”
34
SIENA
Madi isan absolute and utter vision in her dress, and anyone would know it just from watching Rémy’s face as she walks down the aisle toward him. I can’t take credit, despite helping with her hair and makeup. Half of it is the look of pure joy on her face as she draws closer to her husband.
