Page 13 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
He opens his mouth—probably to protest—at the same moment somebody shouts, “She’s here!”
We both look across the salon for the source. Beyond several displays of shoes, in the back corner of the room, Amber is sitting in an armchair. Across from her, five of Kasey’s cousins take up two white leather sofas. Lettie and Nella—the two cousins who still live in Abieville—are on the smaller loveseat. On the larger one are the triplets who grew up in Oregon: Tess, Darby, and Olivia.
“Natalie!” one of the triplets calls out. Ithinkit’s Olivia, but I sometimes mix them up. Between the couches and the armchair is a low circular stage where Kasey stands, facing a mirror. Her gown is ivory silk with scalloped, three-quarter sleeves. The Queen Anne neckline is lined with pearly beads. Below them is a fitted bodice and a full, flouncy skirt. She’s a total princess, but in a good way. When she turns and sees us, she lifts her hem and climbs off the stage, floating across the salon like an angel. The dress is gorgeous. Kasey is gorgeous. Oh, my heart—here comes the bride. My future sister-in-law.
“Sorry I’m late!” I blurt, my throat clogged with emotion. “It was the carry-on. And the moose. And—”
“I don’t care!” she gushes. “I’m just so glad you made it.” Kasey comes at me with open arms, and I go in for a hug, but her skirt is too big, and her sleeves are too constricting, so she can’t get her arms all the way around. Instead we move in as close as we can get, grasping one another by the elbows. Then we hop up down a couple of times, squealing with delight.
“I’m getting married!” she sings out.
“You’re getting married!” I sing along with her, forgetting about everything else but this moment. Who cares that I just spent hours listening to the flush of an airplane toilet?
Or that I sent an “I love you” text to Sloane?
Or that my future landlord might reject me?
Or that Brady’s spicy cologne smells like pine and leather with a hint of … cardamom?
Wait.Why am I smelling Brady’s spicy cologne?
My whole body heats up as I feel his arms wrap around me. Well, technically, he’s wrapping his arms around Kasey, but I’m so close to her, I get caught up in their embrace.
“Hold on!” Kasey jerks away from us, her eyes scanning the salon. “Beau isn’t here, is he? It’s bad luck for him to see the dress before the wedding. Brady! Tell me Beau isn’t here!”
Brady glances around. “Does itlooklike Beau is here?”
“I’m getting married in a few days,” Kasey says. “I don’t need your sarcasm right now, Broody.”
Ha!Broody? That’s hilarious. If I weren’t steering clear of the guy for the rest of this week, I’d plan to call him Broody myself. A lot.
“I’m not being sarcastic.” He takes a step back, staring at Kasey. “You’re just so beautiful.” He clears his throat, like he’s got a lump in there that’s too large for his body.
“Hey.” Kasey tilts her head. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” He drags a hand along the back of his neck. “Of course I am.” Another throat clearing. “It’s just that my baby sister is marrying my best friend, and I guess I haven’t actually processed that fact yet.” The words come out rumbled and jagged, a sentence full of big feelings.
Kasey blinks. “Well, don’t processnow!” She swats his upper arm, right where his biceps strain at his sleeve. “You’re going to make me cry, and I’m not wearing waterproof mascara!” When her eyes begin to shine, tears gather in mine too.
“Maybe you’d better go, Brady.” I swipe at my stinging nose. “Otherwise everyone in the salon will turn into a puddle.”
“Wait!” Kasey lifts a hand to stop him. “Can you actually stick around?” She looks over her shoulder at her cluster of bridesmaids. “We came in two cars, but one of them doesn’t have a backseat right now.”
Brady bobs his head. “Uncle Irv’s?”
Kasey nods. “There were already seven of us crammed into two cars before Nat got here. Now we’ve got eight.”
“Plus I’m sitting for two,” Amber calls out. She smiles and waves, then pats her slightly rounded stomach.
“Ugh. That reminds me.” Kasey groans. “We still have to figure out what to do about Amber’s dress.”
“Ah!” I splay my hands, thrilled to finally be of concrete use. “I thought Beau would’ve texted you by now, but I offered to trade dresses with her. I didn’t go for a tight fit, so I think mine might work.”
“Natalie!” Kasey gasps, throwing a hand up to her mouth. “That would be incredible! You are absolutely brilliant and the best sister-in-law-ever.”
“Ahem.” Brady shrugs. “You aren’t married to her brother yet. One of you could still back out.” When we both turn to gape at him, he smirks. “What? You told me not to make you cry. I’m just trying to help.”
Kasey guffaws. “There’s the Brady we all know and love.” When she says this, my heart skips a beat. Not because I love Brady. I just can’t shake the scent of his cologne. Or the sound of his voice. Or feel of his hands. Or the taste of his kiss.
