Page 9 of Feels Like the First Time
Not a one.
Until Bridget showed up and started telling people it was going to be the party of the year. The draw of seeing what happened to “the other Marshal sister” was too much to resist. Or maybe it was that Bridget was the only girl on her cheer team who didn’t have to stuff her bra. So while Bridget stunned and impressed childhood friends, Ali spent the night playing poker with the third-string hockey players.
Finally, and this was what had the oxygen leaving her lungs in a big whoosh, Ali didn’t want to spend her night watching Hawk watch Bridget. Sure, she said her mom and sister were on the invite list, but Ali had no intention of actually mailing out their invitations.
Normally Ali didn’t mind being compared to her sister, but if she was forced to attend a party in her honor, and perhaps wear a dress, she didn’t want to sit on the sidelines. Ali had polished a lot of steel over the years and finally it was her turn to shine. Only the brightest star in the Marshal family was on a direct collision course with her moment.
“I know, we originally thought seven hundred, but that number seemed a little indulgent,” Bridget said. “Jamie and I want a small wedding. Just close friends and family.”
And that was all it took for the disappointment of a lifetime to set in. “A wedding?”
“She’s getting married,” Gail proclaimed, that mother pride oozing out of every acid-treated pore. “Isn’t that exciting?”
“I’m getting married!” Bridget held up her hand and wiggled her finger and—holy shitballs—Ali didn’t understand how she had missed that boulder. In her defense, she’d been distracted by the copious amounts of glitter and flash Bridget had on, but still.
Whoa, a touch of heartburn pinched at her chest and suddenly Ali felt like she needed a seat.
Or a stronger drink. Her chest hurt and her head ached and—
Ali shook her head at her predictability. One small show of affection and it was as if Ali had been transported back to that eight-year-old girl, who thought that if she played the doting daughter just right, there was still that flicker of hope they could reclaim the relationship that had ended the day Gail walked out. But what if she put her best self out there and still couldn’t make her stay? Then what?
Sadly, Ali knew that ending. Had lived it—twice. And nearly fell for it again.
“It’s huge,” Marty said, pointing to the ring, but his gaze flickering to Ali, saying with his eyes what he couldn’t voice with the current company. That he was sorry, that he, too, had hoped for the best, that this was supposed to be her night.
“This Jamie is a…” Marty trailed off, his eyes big and imploring.
“Man, Dad,” Bridget sighed. “Jamie is a man. He’s Irish.”
“Well, that’s great.” Marty paused. “Not that there would be anything wrong if Jamie was a she.”
“She’s a he,” Bridget said. “And he is fabulous.”
“Well, then, is he coming here to talk to me tonight?” Marty said, and even though Ali knew he was concerned for her feelings, he was tickled that Bridget was including him. “I’ll be sure to go easy on him, while still making sure he knows my girl deserves to be treated right.”
“He isn’t coming to ask for my hand, Dad. I’ve already said yes,” Bridget said. “And the wedding is a month from Saturday!”
“A month from Saturday,” Marty said, his face going pale. “Well, that’s doable, I guess. I mean five hundred guests is a lot to plan for and a lot to shoulder, I don’t have much but—”
“I just need you to bring your dancing shoes, Dad. Jamie has everything else covered,” Bridget said with the confidence of a woman who could only be marrying up. With her first marriage ending in a seven-figure split, Ali could only imagine what this Jamie guy brought to the table.
“Well, what about the rehearsal dinner?”
“Covered.”
“Oh,” Marty said and so much was conveyed in that one word. That smile of his never faltered, even though Ali knew it took everything he had to keep it in place. “Well, I’m sure it will be a wonderful day.”
Unlike Ali, Marty still clung to the fantasy that his love could bridge the years of heartache and separation. He charged into things flashing that smile as if he wasn’t fighting a losing battle. And there was something about his unwavering belief in love and family that tugged at Ali’s heart.
“How about an engagement shower,” Ali asked, and when Bridget opened her mouth to probably say she’d already had sixteen different ones planned, she added, “Maybe a co-ed one.”
“A co-ed shower? Jamie is pretty traditional.”
“He’s marrying a two-time bride. How traditional can he be?” Ali laughed. When no one else saw the humor, she changed tactics. “One of the girls at the gym had a baby last month and they threw her and the father a co-ed shower. It was nice,” Ali lied.
It had given her hives. All the kissy poo love and baby talk made her nauseous. But everyone else had seemed to enjoy themselves. Plus, Marty looked about ready to book the Moose Lodge; he was just waiting for Bridget to give her blessing.
“Dad and Jamie can plan it together,” Ali suggested brightly, her eyes pleading,Let him feel like he is a part of this.
