Page 19 of Wishes on Wildflowers
“I used to wait tables through college.”
Nathan’s words hung in the air. Why on earth had he said that? Sounded like he was volunteering to help out. But why not? He’d lost touch with Eden years ago and never met her fiancé, a newcomer to Bridgeview. He had no skin in this wedding.
“You worked at Morley’s.” Hailey looked thoughtful.
He nodded. “And in a couple of places in L.A. before I got my marketing internship. I have experience.” He took a deep breath. He was in for it now. “I could help out.”
Kass’s face lit up. “You could?”
“I bet you’d clean up real nice.” Hailey smirked. “Black pants, black shirt?”
“I have both. What day is the wedding?”
“Easter Saturday, if you can imagine.” Hailey shook her head. “If your offer is serious, we’d love to have you on board.”
“Sure, why not?” At the very least, he’d be visible to many Bridgeview residents. Helping out would be good for his reputation and be an ice-breaker when he met business owners.
Nathan couldn’t help but wonder what Jasmine looked like all dolled up. Was that the real reason he’d volunteered?
The two cousins rapid-fired questions and replies at each other before turning back to him with the details, including the pay.
Strangely, those didn’t really matter. He’d do a good turn for the neighborhood and see Jasmine in a pretty dress. What more did he need out of a Saturday?
8
Eden and Jacob’swedding was so beautiful it brought tears to Jasmine’s eyes. Man, she’d thought she was used to weddings after all this. This was going to be a long bridal season, from what she could tell. Her cousin Rob had gotten married just a couple of months back in Helena, Montana, and next would be Linnea and Logan, and then Jasmine would be back to a quiet apartment. Rumor had it that Adriana and Myles were pretty serious, too, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone, after all they’d been through.
The only saving grace was that she didn’t have to look at Nathan today. Why had she let her high school sweetheart — she hated to even think the word sweetheart around him — rule her life for so long? Daria had had a good question last Sunday afternoon when she asked if Jasmine really hadn’t been able to get over Nathan. Hadn’t shoving him into the far recesses of her mind beengetting overhim?
Apparently not. Not when the mere sight of him and the sound of his voice could stir up such resentment in her. Nowshe knew. Ignoring something was not the same as getting over it.
Jasmine’s cousin Francesca began to play the recessional, and Eden tucked her hand in the crook of Jacob’s arm. The two of them shared a look of such adoration that Jasmine’s heart squeezed.
Beside her, Linnea sniffled and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Wasn’t that just the most beautiful wedding ever?”
Jasmine took a deep breath. “It was pretty nice. Did you get some ideas for how you and Logan want to do things?”
Behind Eden and Jacob, Hailey slid her hand around Logan’s arm and batted her eyelashes up at him. The two of them strolled down the aisle behind Eden and Jacob, with Kass and the other groomsman at their heels.
“That Hailey,” muttered Linnea.
Jasmine pushed out a chuckle. “She didn’t win, you know. Logan is just being a gentleman the way he should be for a wedding. Hailey’s lash extensions are not going to change his mind and make him decide he’d rather marry her than you.”
Linnea sighed. “I know you’re right, but does she need to keep pretending she’s the winner?”
Jasmine poked her friend lightly in the ribs. “Just ignore her. In three months it’s going to be you walking down the aisle with Logan waiting at the front. You do know there’s no need to give Hailey a second thought.”
Pastor Tomas asked everyone to rise as the ushers allowed the families in the front rows to follow the wedding party. Myles, Adriana, and her two kids had sat in the place of Eden’s parents, representing the family she no longer had. When they passed the row where Jasmine and Linnea waited, Jasmine caught a glimpse of a sparkling diamond onAdriana’s left hand, tucked in the crook of Myles’s arm. She jammed her elbow into Linnea’s side. “They’re engaged!” she squealed.
Linnea’s eyes widened as her gaze landed on the ring. Adriana beamed at them and wiggled her fingers.
How had that news not spread all over Bridgeview already? Unless it had only happened yesterday. Even then, though, Jasmine felt so behind.
“Oh, wow,” Linnea breathed.
Jasmine’s sentiments exactly. She could only be happy for the widowed mom who’d found love with her daughter’s second-grade teacher, but it did nothing to make her feel any more wanted.
The ushers, Jacob’s two brothers-in-law, held out their hands to indicate Jasmine’s row could go next. She smoothed the lacy overlay of skirt as she stepped into the aisle, feet wobbling in heels she rarely wore. “What’s the plan? Are they going for photos now?”
