Page 164 of Wingwoman
“Dad, come here,”I said, laughing. “Your tie is all askew!”
I was already fully dressed in my bridesmaid gown, hair and makeup done, and I was bouncing back and forth between the bridal suite and where my dad was getting ready with my brothers.
I smacked the back of my hand against Finn’s shoulder. “Were you seriously going to let him go out looking like this?” I teased.
Finn snorted, glancing at me in the reflection of the mirror. “I can barely getmydamn tie on!”
I smiled up at Dad as I straightened the knot at the base of his throat. We’d had the greatest three nights together. We ate junk food and watched movies and Neil, Liam, Finn, Addy and all their respectives partners joined us for lunch and dinner.
Last night after the rehearsal dinner, we made pancakes at midnight.
It wasn’t all easy.
I confronted him about some of my traumas.
And he responded thoughtfully. Listened. And sometimes cried.
But for the first time in my whole life, watching him prepare for multiple weddings, this was the first time I knew in my heart that it was right.
Vivian was it for him.
She was his happily ever after.
Meanwhile, my unhappily ever after was relentlessly texting me. Several times a day, Josh would send me one-liners. Quick lyrics from what I assumed were songs he was writing.
But there was never any context.
Josh:
Held hostage by whiskey eyes…
Josh:
Tanned arms that hold me close.
Josh:
It’s easy letting you rob my dreams…
“There,” I said, patting my palm to Dad’s now straight tie. “Now you’re perfect.”
“Thank you, Bug. Who knows? Maybe the next family wedding will beyours.”
With a snort, I looked around at my four siblings… all who had amazing partners they were clearly wild about. They were leaps and bounds closer to a wedding than I was.
“Well, I’d say I need aboyfriendfirst.”
My discarded phone buzzed from the table beside Liam.
Looking down, he asked, “Who’s Josh and why is he texting about yourNeroli oil neck and rosehip lips?”
“Oh my god.” I rushed over and flipped the phone so it was face down. As if that could erase the last ten seconds of humiliation.
“Dude,” Finn said, rolling his eyes at his brother. “EvenIknow not to peek at a girl’s texts.”
“I’m sorry!” Liam said, gesturing at my phone. “It was right there when I looked down.”
“It’s okay,” I reassured him as quickly as I could despite my rapidly heating cheeks.
