Page 22 of Bridesmaid to Bride

“West, chin up. Eva, little to the left.” Hayes, who’s taking photos again, is a stickler for details.

Next to him, I can’t help but notice a small boy mimicking his every move with a plastic camera, his tiny fingers fumbling with the buttons.

When Hayes tells us we can relax, I say, “And who is your photograph partner?” I nod toward the kid, curious.

Hayes glances at the boy and then back at us, a proud smile on his face. “That’s my son, August. He wants to shoot pictures just like daddy.”

“Photography clearly runs in the family.” The corners of my mouth twitch upward. Kid’s got spunk, I’ll give him that. And he’s definitely inherited Hayes’s laser focus—he’s aiming that toy camera like it’s the last shot before deadline.

Hayes repositions us, and we have to freeze again.

“I feel like a glorified mannequin.” I adjust my stand-in rental tux, realizing I could’ve really used some coffee and breakfast.

“Maybe because we are.” Eva’s laughter’s a hit of something stronger than the caffeine I missed this morning. “If only we had the power to stand perfectly still.”

“Captain Statue.”

“Defender of the Still.” She holds her bouquet with the solemnity of a soldier, and I love to see her joking around—it really is the best.

“Cut!” Darren’s voice slices through our banter. “That’s a wrap on this part.”

“Come on, West.” She links her arm through mine as we move to our next spot.

“Lead the way, wife.” I feel a twist in my gut that’s got nothing to do with hunger. In these moments—us joking and jabbing—it’s like a glimpse of what could be in a parallel universe.

“Careful,” Eva smirks, “or I might just hold you to your upcoming vows.”

“That’s fine. I was planning on vowing to eat banana curry pizza—always.”

“Gross—scratch that.”

“Hey, I keep my promises, so that means forever.” The words are light but loaded. I follow her lead, pretending I’m not the best friend who pines hopelessly.

Skye’s timing is impeccable as our stand-in father figure. She darts toward us wearing an extra mustard-yellow bridesmaid gown and a shower cap. Nice.

“Ready for your big moment, kiddo?” Skye offers her arm to Eva.

“Let’s make some amazing deleted pictures.” Eva slips her hand through Skye’s elbow. The irony isn’t lost on either of us—Skye, the antithesis of Eva’s buttoned-up dad, stepping into his shoes. It’s like casting a unicorn in a courtroom drama.

“Places, everyone!” Darren’s voice is tinged with caffeine jitters.

I move to the edge of the water, taking my place at the makeshift altar.

When Skye and Eva start down the aisle, Skye tries not to step on the train of Eva’s dress. “Look natural,” Hayes calls out, which makes everything more awkward. When Eva gets next to me and turns around, Hayes yells, “And... hold!”

“Stop breathing, West,” Eva whispers, her smile a silent laugh as we pose in front of the water reflecting the early sun.

I shift my weight to relieve a cramp creeping up my calf. “I’ll be Statue-Man, my villain, the nefarious Dr. Twitch, who’s causing a real muscle spasm.”

“We must take down Dr. Twitch.”

“Go forth, Lady Limbo. My sidekick.”

“Lady Limbo,” she whispers. “Why did I get the cheesy name?”

“You kidding? Lady Limbo rocks the still superhero scene.”

The corner of her mouth quirks as she fights a grin. The air between us crackles, charged with something I can’t quite name.

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