Page 121 of Always a Bridesmaid
Lexi and Will did the telepathic-couple thing, and he pulled Ford aside while Lexi reached for the bouquets she’d kept in a cooler by the door.
The golden sunflowers, white daisies, and seeded eucalyptus contrasted the chiffon fabric of the yellow bridesmaid’s dresses. The ruched tops were practically identical to Addie’s strapless, sweetheart neckline, and the flirty skirts flared at the knees.
Addie’s father and grandmother arrived, and while seeing Ford had sucked every ounce of joy out of the air for Violet, Lucia managed to bring the happy vibes.
The older woman completed a twirl. The yellow tulle of her ankle-length skirt flared to reveal her pair of matching Converse sneakers. A sunflower adorned the white lace top, and the sunflower crown on her head contrasted her white curls. “Where is my basket? I ready to throw petals at everybody!”
“On the aisle, you mean,” Lexi said.
Lucia snatched the basket of petals, and Violet bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at how adeptly she’d avoided agreeing.
The woman did whatever she wanted, and Violet respected her spirit. When they’d discussed her outfit, Lucia insisted on a flower girl dress, scoffing at the conservative styles her daughter-in-law had shown her. In the end, they’d asked Lottie to tailor one.
Considering the way Lucia beamed and twirled, Violet was of the opinion more people should wear whatever they wanted. Who’d decided only little girls could enjoy tulle skirts and flower crowns?
Violet’s gaze snagged on Ford’s, and anguish sledgehammered her chest.
Another hit like that and she feared her heart might cease beating altogether.
“It’s time.” Lexi shooed Lucia to the front and then hooked her arm through Will’s. Violet settled her hand in the crook of Easton’s elbow, thankful Ford had moved behind her, where her eyes couldn’t as easily stray.
Mr. Murphy stepped up to the bride-to-be’s other side, he and Ford each taking one of her arms.
This setup had been settled on to counteract the uneven numbers, even before Violet had taken Alexandria’s place.
Still, the idea of being on the same aisle as Ford was excruciating.
Since her brain hated her, it drifted to the night when Ford had said he’d never play bridesmaid again, and she’d teasingly inquiredWhat if I asked?
And he’d told her no, because it would mean she’d be marrying someone else and he could never watch her do that.
Stupid charming jerk, and even stupider me for thinking it was romantic at the time.Her idealized hopes and dreams had been exposed and on display, like the fool for love she’d always been.
In order to survive the rest of the evening, the walls around her heart needed to be reinforced. As in extra bricks, a layer of steel spikes, and a moat with a giant, man-eating alligator.
Think porcupine. Prickly, and if Ford dares to get close, I’ll make sure he ends up with a face full of quills.
In a non-dramatic way, of course, since I refuse to be accused of ruining another person’s wedding with my relationship fails.
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…
Summoning every last drop of her willpower, Violet plastered on a crowd-pleasing smile and began her very last march down an aisle.
…
Razor-edged desperation seized Ford as he watched Violet head away from him on one of his best friend’s arms.
While he had no one but himself to blame, it felt as though Easton had ripped her away, and the farther and farther she got, the stronger his sense of urgency became.
She was slipping through his fingers, and not just physically. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes, quickly replaced by scorn.
Last night, by the time they’d gotten Mr. Wagner settled at the hospital in Alexander City, it’d been nearly eleven. Then a nurse insisted Ford get the scrapes and cuts on his leg tended to, ignoring his many attempts at insisting he was fine.
By the time all was said and done, he got home at one thirty in the morning. Exhausted, he fell into bed without setting an alarm and woke late. After walking the dogs, he raced to Maisy’s house to try to make things right.
Only Maisy had informed him Violet wasn’t there and refused to tell him where he could find her. While he was sure he’d see her at the wedding, he’d wanted to fix things before the ceremony.
Her phone had gone straight to voicemail, though, and now he realized she’d been with Murph and Lexi, getting ready.
