Page 4 of The Final Straw

Me- I love you.

Van- I love you more.

God, he’s so perfectly cheesy!

I’m glad that Van decided to go to the party. He needs to hang out with his friends more. I know he doesn’t care for how flirty Barbi is and while I get it, she’s harmless. She just seeks attention differently. We met in high school, bonded over having either no or absentee parents, and have been friends ever since.

We were the Betty and Veronica of Havenwood High.

The meeting with the future Fornas went perfectly and we’re all set for the wedding tomorrow. I even got everything done in plenty of time for us to make it to the wedding rehearsal without being late. During the meeting, they requested photos from the practice run so they could add them to their wedding album.

Normally, I don’t provide that, but they offered to add another five hundred to the total price they’re paying me.

After I get back from the rehearsal, I stop at the hotel bar, grab some dinner and a margarita, and head to my room to prepare for tomorrow.

Pulling my sundress out of my bag, I hang it up, so it’s not so wrinkled. I would have done it earlier, but I was running late, and then shooting the rehearsal last minute threw a kink in my plans. Running through my bedtime routine, I wash my face and rub some lotion on before heading to lie down. Once in bed, I grab my book and text Van goodnight. I get through five chapters before I realize Van never messaged me back, but maybe he just didn’t want to wake me.

I shut my Kindle down and close my eyes, running through the shots I need for tomorrow. Before I know it, I’m out like a light.

The room phone rings, waking me with a startle. Rolling over, I pick up the receiver. “Hello?” I mumble, groggily.

“Hello, this is the seven AM wake-up call you requested,” a feminine voice on the other end responds.

“Thank you.” Hanging up, I wipe the sleep from my eyes.

I do a big stretch, reaching my arms over my head, before sitting up and getting out of bed. I head straight to the shower and turn it on, anxious to step under the hot spray, knowing it will help me wake up fully. The water rains down on me as I run my fingers through my brunette strands before reaching for the shampoo and washing it and my body. A quick look at my armpits and legs lets me know I need to do a little touch-up, especially since I’m wearing a dress.

Once I'm done, I step out and wrap a towel around my body and hair. Sitting down, I start on my makeup. Painting my lips in my favorite nude lipstick, I throw some highlighter on the inner corner of my eyes and the tip of my nose. Lastly, I coat my lashes in a layer of mascara and call it a day. Ready to tackle this mess of hair, I blow dry it and tie half of it up in a ballerina bun, letting the rest hang down my back.

Checking my watch, I see I only have twenty minutes before I need to be at the venue for pre-wedding shots. Hurrying, I dress in my tie-back daisy sundress and slide my feet into my brown flats. Spritzing perfume on, I grab my camera bag and head out the door, calling a cab as I head to the elevator and down to the lobby.

The drive to the venue is only ten minutes, but I need to get there, set up, and grab a coffee, so I’m ready for the long day ahead of me. I can feel my phone vibrating like crazy in my pocket, but since I’m short on time, I ignore it. Breezing into The Citrus Garden main building, I see the bride, Gloria, waiting for me.

“Hi, Gloria, I’m so sorry for cutting it so close. I slept like the dead. This isn’t how I normally work.” My stomach is tied up in knots, afraid of the impression I’m making on her and the potential bad review.

She wraps me in a quick hug. “No big deal, you’re here and we haven’t started yet, but let's get you set up and ready to go.”

I follow her to the bridal suite where her bridesmaids, her mom, and the groom’s mom are all unpacking their items. Immediately, I set my bag down, pull out my camera, and select the lens I want to shoot with.

The morning goes flawlessly, capturing all the ladies getting ready. I even snuck out without them noticing to go steal a few shots of the guys getting ready and some as they prepared to take their places. My favorites are the ones of the mother placing the veil on Gloria and the dad pinning the groom with the boutonniere.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!” the minister announces and everyone cheers as the newlyweds kiss.

I’m squatting down in the front row, getting the perfect shot while trying not to show anything. Scurrying from my position as the couple walks down the aisle, I slowly walk backward in front of them, snagging shot after shot of their first walk as a married couple.

Visions of Van and I doing this one day flood my thoughts.

We head out to take a few pictures of the bridal party and family together and then make our way to the reception barn where everyone is waiting. I take my assigned seat right by the DJ booth, so I have a clear shot when the couple walks in after they’re announced.

The reception flies by and before I know it, I’m saying my goodbyes and telling Gloria I’ll be emailing her the gallery in three to four weeks. She smiles, glowing from the inside out, and grabs me. Pulling me in for a hug, she thanks me over and over. When she lets me go, the groom catches her attention, pulling her away, and I wave as they disappear into the crowd.

Quickly packing my camera back in its case, I make my way through the cluster of people to the front, hailing my cab when I get there. Gloria told me I didn’t need to stay to the end as the family plans to party until the wee hours of the morning. Ten minutes later, it pulls up to the curb and I jump in.

When I get back to my room, I collapse onto my bed in exhaustion. After lying there for a bit, I get up and change into my pajamas. I’m ready to crash and head home first thing in the morning. I miss Van.

Shit! I haven’t checked my phone at all today. Van is probably worried sick about me.

Grabbing my phone from my pack, I tap the screen, bringing it to life, and see that I have dozens of missed calls and texts.

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