Page 109 of Olivia's Only Pretending
Lucy caught my eye, waving her hand in the air. I nodded to her and made my way to the seat they’d saved for me.
I smiled at my mom when I noticed a fellow professor from my department was sitting next to her. I recognized that gray hair and thick black glasses. “Charles?” I said, in a tone of surprise.How funny he was invited to this wedding.
“Olivia?” Charles said, his mouth hanging open in question. “OliviaRhodes.” He said my last name slowly, like it was the answer to a question.
My mom laughed curiously. “You two know each other?” She said this as ifshewere the one who knew Charles.
I blinked at her.
Charles swallowed, looking at Mom. “We do.”
Oh.Charles was my mom’s date. My coworker was dating my mom. Charles, who was known for rambling during his lectures and absentmindedly leaving his things around the history building. I would try to avoid getting stuck in conversations with Charles because they were hard to escape and always went longer than I wanted.
“We work together, Mom,” I said.Why couldn’t sweet Jeff be Mom’s date to the wedding?
“You know, you did put you were a history professor. Why didn’t I think to ask which school you worked at?” Momchuckled to herself. “Well, that’s great. You know two people at this wedding now!”
Charles beamed, obviously smitten with Mom already. I shot a glance at Lucy, who gave me an apologetic wince. Adam was trying not to laugh.
“How’d you two meet?” I asked.
Mom and Charles explained what I’d already assumed, that this was another one of Mom’s LoveLocal matches. I tried not to imagine a future where Mom and Victor carpooled to have lunch with Charles and me at the school.
We made small talk until a soft, sweet love song began to fill the room, and one of Victor’s cousins walked tiny Grandma Hernandez down the aisle. Katie walked down in an amber-toned bridesmaid’s dress on Terrence’s arm. Victor walked out next, in a black suit and amber tie, his wavy dark hair swept back, making my stomach flip. He had a bridesmaid on his arm and his eyes straight ahead, but when he took his spot at the front of the room, his head turned.
His eyes searched the crowd for me. A grin spread across his face when he saw me. He dramatically clutched his hand to his chest, and he mouthed,Drop-dead gorgeous.I giggled in my seat. My cheeks and neck flushed.
The wedding processional continued, the room rising to their feet, as flower girls tossed flowers before Emma stepped through the doors, on her dad’s arm.
Her blonde hair was swept back into a low bun at the base of her neck. She wore an A-line dress embroidered with lace and tiny beads. Her face was serene and intent on her groom, waiting at the front for her.
I stole a glance toward Gabriel, who was swiping a tear away. His eyes were so full of love.
Emma and Gabriel exchanged self-written vows that made the room break into laughter and tears.
The wedding ceremony came to an end. The wedding party exited to prepare for photos, while the rest of us were to begin the reception in the hotel’s garden with a cocktail hour.
I headed down a hallway, hunting for the restroom, when I spotted Victor walking off with the bridal party. He must’ve felt my stare, turning his head to me. We locked eyes, his caramel to my green. His grin was confident and cool. He shot me a wink that made me melt right there on the spot.
He turned back, keeping pace with the wedding party, leaving me standing there, shaking my head.I loved that man.
Ipushed open the bathroom door to find Emma standing in front of the mirror, her wedding dress billowing around her like icing on a cupcake. “The bride needed a bathroom break,” her friend said from behind her, laughing.
“It’s a whole event when I go to the bathroom,” Emma said, gesturing to the gown. “I require assistance.”
“Well, you look beautiful. The wedding—your vows.” I touched a hand to my heart.
Emma took in an excited breath. “I can’t believe the ceremony is done. I’m Gabriel’s wife.”
Her friend squealed. I squealed, too.
“Oh, I’m getting a phone call from Katie. One sec.” Her friend answered her phone, taking a couple of steps away from us. Katie was the maid of honor, and from what Victor said, had been running the show.
Emma looked back into the mirror. “It was fun to have you at the dinner last night. You had Victor glowing in a way I’ve never seen, and I’ve known him since he was a little kid.”
I bit my lip, smiling down at my feet. “He makes me glow, too.”
“I’m glad you two went for it. It’s easy to get stuck in the What Ifs, holding back what you feel to keep things feeling safe and easy. But take it from a bride who is so glad she finally stopped hesitating: say how you feel when you get the chance.”
