Page 23 of Three Not-So-Little Words
I nod and follow her. Mom is at one end of the room, helping Liz get ready, so Michelle and I go to the other. I start doing her makeup, not doing anything too heavy because Michelle is naturally pretty.
I say, “You know, I remember when I was younger, and you were the one helping me with my makeup.”
“I remember. Back then, I was obsessed with blue eyeshadow and black lipstick. What a combination.”
“Remember when Mom came home to me trying to put on that black lipstick of yours?”
She laughs. “Oh yeah, she was pissed. She thought you were going to end up boy crazy just like I was.”
“Well, she was right.” I smile.
“But you didn’t end up with a kid while still in high school.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that, Michelle. Having Eve makes you far more interesting,” I joke.
“Shut up,” she says. Looking over at Liz, she says, “Man, she looks beautiful.”
“Yeah, she does,” I agree.
“Do you really never want to get married?” She asks.
“I doubt it. I doubt I could ever find someone who I could stand to be around indefinitely.”
“I remember when we were younger, and you would talk about your wedding. You actually wanted to get married. What changed?”
My eyes glance into hers. “You know what changed.”
Knowing she hit a sore spot, she tries to overcompensate. “I’m just saying that you can’t avoid happiness because of something that happened in your past.”
I stop her before she can dig herself into a bigger hole. “Michelle, while I appreciate you trying to do the supportive big sister thing, I’m begging you to stop. I’m fine. I’m happy with my life. Please don’t try to change me.”
For a moment, she looks like she’s going to keep going, but thankfully, she reconsiders. I’m not trying to get into a battle with her at this wedding, nor do I want to have a therapy session.
Trying to get the attention off of myself, I ask, “You think you’ll ever walk down the aisle?”
She lets out a small laugh. “Would I like to get married? Sure. But I doubt I’ll ever get there.”
“Why not?”
“Because my dating record isn’t something to cheer about. I have a long track record of being with jerks. I’m trying to hold out hope for Prince Charming, but it’s hard.”
“Eh, maybe you’re due for a break,” I say with a wink.
Our mother interrupts our conversation by announcing, “It’s showtime, ladies. Time to get Lizzie married.”
We spend the next few minutes getting lined up to walk down the aisle. Eve goes first, followed by Leah, Jo, and Michelle. Then, it’s my turn. I step through the doorway and feel all the eyes in the room suddenly on me. I work quick enough to keep this train moving but slow enough to not make it look weird.
My eyes glance around the room and land on a familiar face.
The hottie from last night.
What the hell is he doing here?
We hold eye contact for a moment. The look he’s giving me is the same one he wore the last time I saw him. I’ve been with enough men to know when one is interested, and this man is silently screaming it.
I add a little extra sway to my hips as I finish my walk. I step up on the altar and wait for Liz. As my sister walks down the aisle, I stare at her. She’s beautiful—always has been. When I was little, I would admire her long legs and crazy, kinky curls. Hell, I still do.
And now, she’s getting married. Crazy how fast time passes us all by.
