Page 48 of This Means War

I’m not sure why these words are standing out to me, but they leave me feeling restless, as if I haven’t done something I should’ve done. Again, my eyes find Lydia. She’s dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, but beaming at Jamie and Luke at the same time. I wonder if she really believes everything this pastor is saying. If so, our marriage must be even more of a disappointment than I thought.

The pastor announces that Luke may kiss his bride, and everyone around me erupts in cheers. I join in even though I’m still feeling unsettled.I want to be a good husband to Lydia. The thought strikes my heart, and I have to swallow against the lump of emotion that forms in my throat. I’ve never cried at a wedding before. Who would’ve thought my first time would be at the wedding of a woman who yelled at me for having peanut butter in my kitchen?

Chapter 33

Lydia

My eyes automaticallysearch out Cole as I follow Jamie and Luke down the aisle, and a shiver runs down my spine as I note the moisture gathering in his eyes. Despite his tears he grins at me and sends me a thumbs up.

“Match my pace,” he mouths, and I bite back a laugh at this reference to our own walk down the aisle at Josh and Delia’s wedding.

I should be mad at him for cutting it so close with his arrival, but I’m too relieved that he actually came. I may have told Jamie that I didn’t care that he was at work with Ashley all morning, but the truth is I hate that he works with her. I hate that he sees her every day. I hate that she’s gorgeous and still has a waistline. I hate that she is a successful lawyer, and I’m just a middle school running coach who got herself knocked up. I hate that ten years ago he chose to kiss her instead of me, and now I’m just waiting for him to make that same choice again.

Still, today he chose me. Or at least he partiallychose me. I get him for half the day anyway.

When we reach the end of the aisle, I station myself at Jamie’s side as she and Luke accept felicitations from her guests. Those who know me say hello to me as well, quite a few eyeing my stomach with puzzled expressions.

“I didn’t know you were pregnant,” Izzy, the wife of one of the math teachers at Faith, comments after she greets me. “Didn’t even know you were married actually.”

“It was a small wedding,” I tell her. “Jamie wasn’t even there.”

“Oh,” she eyes my stomach again, “I see.” I can read between the lines of her words, and I feel myself blush scarlet at her correct conclusion.

“Yes, I just couldn’t wait to marry her, so we decided to elope.” Cole sneaks up behind me, encircling me with his arms so that his hands rest on my bump. I’m at once embarrassed that he is touching my ginormous midsection and hugely relieved that he’s here, backing me up. “I’m Cole Jacobson,” he continues, releasing me to offer his hand to Izzy, “Lydia’s husband.”

“Oh hello.” Izzy looks taken aback by his bluntness, but accepts his hand nonetheless. “Nice to meet you.”

“Wow, look at you two,” someone else pipes up, and I turn to see my friend Charlotte approaching. “You’re even cuter in person.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I’ve been following your story, of course, whirlwind romance and all that,” she says as shereleases me and offers her hand to Cole. “I’m Charlotte Logan; I teach at Faith. I’m also a resident of Holland, and I like what I’ve read about you Cole. I’m looking forward to giving you my vote in November.”

“Vote?” Izzy cocks her head. “Are you running for something?”

“Yes,” Cole offers her his dazzling smile, “I should’ve said. I’m Cole Jacobson, Lydia’s husband, and also a mayoral candidate for the city of Holland. I’d appreciate your vote.”

To my great surprise, Izzy giggles. He’s charmed her just like that.

“Well, we don’t live in Holland,” she apologizes, “but happy to spread the word to friends who do.”

She moves on down the line, and I breathe out in relief. I hadn’t really thought about the awkwardness of showing up pregnant to this wedding filled with my colleagues who haven’t seen me in a few weeks. I was fifteen weeks pregnant on the last day of school and still being very careful to hide it. Now I’m twenty-four weeks, and there’s no hiding it.

“Lydia,” a familiar voice pulls me from my reflections and panic strums through me. Elliot. I hadn’t realized Jamie had invited him. Then again, he’s good friends with Luke, so of course she did. I force myself to meet his gaze and see him glancing between my stomach and Cole. “Wow, I guess congratulations are in order.” His voice comes out a little strangled. Next to me Cole’s body tenses andhis arm shoots up and around my shoulders.

“Thanks,” Cole’s voice lacks warmth, and I look up at him in surprise. There’s not even a hint of a smile there.

“Uh, yes, thank you. It was unexpected, but we’re excited.” I smile at Elliot, hoping to make up for Cole’s coldness. “It’s nice to see you, Elliot. How has your summer been?”

“It’s been fine.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets. “I’m training for the Grand Rapids marathon, so I’ve been doing a lot of running.” He grins at me. “I was actually hoping you might do it with me, but I can see that won’t be an option.”

I laugh. “Yeah, no marathons for me any time soon.”

“That’s too bad,” his voice is quiet, but then he shakes his head as if clearing it. “Well, nice to see you. I’m holding up the line though, so I’m going to go grab a drink.” He nods at Cole, then sets off.

The next couple in line just nods and smiles at us though, since we don’t know them. In the beat of silence that follows, I turn to thank Cole for his help with Izzy, but his eyes are following Elliot’s retreat, and a glower has settled across his face.

“Cole,” I poke him in the chest, “you look like you want to punch someone. This is a wedding, smile.”

Cole’s scowl only deepens. “I do want to punch someone. Can you believe the nerve of that guy hitting on you when your husband is standing right here?”

“What are you talking about?” I let out a laugh. “Elliot was not hitting on me. He was just being nice.”

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