Page 227 of Bridesmaid Undercover
And I think I’ve held it together for the most part. I’ve kept my distance like I promised. I’ve stolen glances when she hasn’t been looking—well, she’s only caught me staring twice. But now, as I stand next to Ken, him reciting his vows to Polly, the clouds rolling in, ready to downpour any second, I can feel this ache so deep in my soul that I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through the reception.
“It is with the greatest pleasure…” the reverend says, but I tune him out as I glance over at Everly for the hundredth time since the ceremony started.
I catch the tears in her eyes, the joy in her expression.
Even with everything I put her through, she still can look past that and see the love between two people, really feel and celebrate it.
It makes me want her that much more.
The crowd cheers, knocking me out of my thoughts and reminding me that I need to participate, so I clap as well while Ken and Polly start heading down the aisle.
Thankfully I’m paired up with Maple, so we meet in the middle of the aisle, she loops her arm through mine, and we follow behind Ken and Polly all the way into the conservatory. When we stop in the middle of the dance floor, I grow confused, because from what the wedding planner said yesterday, we were supposed to branch off and take more pictures. Did plans change?
“Are we supposed to be doing something?” I ask, my back toward Everly. “I thought the wedding planner said we were taking family and bridal party photos?”
“No, we took enough,” Polly says. “We actually want to get into first dances.”
“Oh,” I say with a nod as the guests start to filter in as well. Isn’t there supposed to be a happy hour or something? This seems so…odd.
“Let’s get out of the way,” Maple says, tugging me to the edge of the dance floor as Ken wraps his arm around Polly. And then as if everyone was instructed, no one takes a seat. Instead, all the guests circle the dance floor, and the lights dim, thunder strikes in the distance, and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran starts playing through the speakers surrounding us.
I couldn’t have picked a better song for my friends.
Keeping my eyes on them, I catch the glimmer in Polly’s eyes as she stares up at her now husband. I see Ken’s tight grip as he holds her close. And as they slowly move over the dance floor, the group surrounding them is captured by the love they have for each other. It’s undeniable, and all I can think about is how much I wish I had that with Everly.
How I wish I never fucked things up with her.
How I wish that instead of us keeping our distance, her arm was looped through mine.
This evening would be so much better with her by my side, her hand in mine, safe in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be going home alone tonight, but instead, I’d be going home with my girl.
“You’re tensing up,” Maple says next to me.
“Am I?” I ask, not noticing.
“Yes, you’re squeezing my arm.”
“Oh, sorry,” I whisper back.
“Everything okay?”
“Yup,” I say, even though I’m the furthest thing from okay. “They look great, don’t they?”
Maple glances over at Polly and Ken and then back at me. “They are amazing. I’m…I’m proud of them for finding their way back to each other. When they broke up, I almost couldn’t believe it. I knew they were meant for each other, so being here,at their wedding and witnessing a start of a new chapter, it brings me a lot of joy.”
I smile at that. “Me too. They’re going to have a beautiful marriage.”
“To everyone out there, friends and family, the couple would like you to join them on the dance floor if you’re willing,” the DJ says into the microphone.
Of course, the older couples are first out on the dance floor, Ken and Polly’s parents not being shy in the slightest.
I turn toward Maple. “Do you want to dance?”
“No,” she answers flatly.
Okay. Wasn’t expecting that answer or an answer so abrupt.
“Not a problem,” I awkwardly say just as there is a tap on my arm. I look to the right and feel my entire body seize as my gaze locks in on Everly’s green eyes.
