Page 109 of Friendshipped
Felicia appears from around the trellis on Dad’s arm. Mom starts crying. Not loud, but not so quietly either. I look over at Gregg. He’s tearing up too. Felicia beams as Dad walks her toward the man who won her heart.
I suddenly have this strange aha moment. I can’t keep chasing love with other men. The only man I want to see at the end of my aisle is Trevor. There’s no one else for me and there never will be—not even TJ.
After he holds her in a hug, Dad hands Felicia to Gregg. My sister and her fiancé share a look that says a thousand things. Mostly, it’s the look of two people who are about to promise everything to one another.
I tear my eyes away from them and look at Trevor again. His thoughts seem transparent to me. It’s like he’s thinking,that could be us. If I’m wrong, I’m going to be wrecked. But I realize I’d rather be wrecked by Trevor than go one more day living in the friend zone.
The ceremony proceeds all the way to the point when the pastor says, “You may kiss the bride.”
Gregg pulls Felicia toward him, his hand splayed on her lower back. He runs his thumb along her chin and cups her face, and then he leans in and gives her a kiss that has the whole crowd whistling and clapping.
They hold hands and look out at all the guests asThis Will Be an Everlasting Loveby Natalie Cole starts to play. By the time the tempo of the music picks up, Gregg and Felicia are holding hands and dancing down the aisle. The rest of the bridal party follows suit, boogying our way out of the ceremony. We could be in a music video with our impromptu conga line.
It’s so unlike Felicia, who plans everything and executes all details according to said plan. I have to smile. Gregg is going to be very, very good for my sister. I guess the right person always is.
As soon as we’re past the trellises and the guests start to file out and mingle, we’re snagged by the photographer and told to head over to a spot by the main house for photos. I catch Laura’s eye in the dispersing crowd and mouth, “I need to talk to you.”
She nods.
We take no less than a thousand photos. With the family, the couple alone, the bridesmaids and Felicia, the groomsmen all holding Felicia while she’s lying across their outstretched arms, Felicia with our parents, Gregg with his. I start to feel like I’m in that old movie,The Neverending Story, but it’s the never-ending photo shoot.
Trevor has made his way over to where we’re taking pictures. He’s studying me, sometimes making silly faces when no one else is looking, and being way more patient than I would be if I were in his shoes. The look of desire and intensity in his eyes hasn’t diminished.
We take the last shot and I wonder if the guests have eaten their meal and started dancing without us. I walk over to Trevor.
“I’m not sure the royal couple took as many photos,” he says, putting his hand behind my elbow to lead me away from my family and the rest of the wedding party.
“Seriously. I thought it was just me. That took an eternity, right?”
Trevor laughs and looks at me with a gaze that makes everything in me feel like I’m plugged in. A light buzz travels through my arms and into my stomach. I feel like there’s a little light show going off inside me.
“I have to find Laura for a minute,” I tell Trevor. “Is it okay if I meet you at our table? I know you already stood around waiting for me forever.”
“You’re worth the wait.”
Huh. That’s what TJ said.
I hope I’m not conjuring the meaning I see in Trevor’s eyes. It’s like he’s trying to tell me I’ve been worth the wait—a virtual lifetime of waiting to cross this invisible line together into something more.
Feeling suddenly shy, I look up at Trevor through my lashes and flash him a small smile.
“Okay, then. I’ll see you at our table.”
“I’ll be waiting for you,” he says.
I walk away, looking for Laura. Nerves zing off inside me. Am I really going to do this? Could this all be due to the magical feelings of being at a wedding? Letting Trevor see my heart means risking our friendship. I’ve always known the cost of exposing my feelings. What if his attraction to Meg has increased?
I extend my hand level in front of me and confirm that I’m shaking. What I’m about to do will change everything. Even if I’m right, Trevor and I will lose something to gain more. And if I’m wrong … well, I can’t even afford to go there.
Laura’s laughing with some of Rob’s friends—and Rob. The two of them are at what I’d call a safe distance from one another, but it’s obvious from my vantage point they can’t fully avoid one another. Despite Laura being so bold and open about everything, Rob has been a subject where she’s tight-lipped and unwilling to spill details.
When I get closer, Laura sees me.
I hear her say, “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
Every eye in the group watches her as she turns and walks toward me. She’s that woman—the one men can’t help but watch.
“What’s up, buttercup?” she asks as she approaches.
