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I’m sandwiched between Tessa and Brooke, holding each of their hands as we watch my dad marry Anna Mae. Matt sits next to Tessa. He seems completely calm considering the fact that he just met Anna Mae two hours ago.
This isn’t a funeral, it's a wedding. I can’t be the lunatic lady bawling on the front row, so I keep it together.
I have on my waterproof mascara just in case.
The wedding is in my parents’ backyard, next to my mother’s pink impatiens bush. The clouds part, the sun shining down on my dad and Anna Mae, and I have an overwhelming feeling that my mom is here, and she’s happy. She’s so happy that my dad has found someone to spend the rest of his life with and that he doesn’t have to be alone. It’s like she’s whispering to me, “Stop comparing Anna Mae to me. And stop comparing yourself to Kristen. There’s room for all of us.”
Okay, that seems oddly specific and a little too on the nose.
Maybe that’s whatI’mwhispering to myself.
I look behind me and catch a glimpse of Tyler and Krew in the back row. Tyler’s wearing a navy suit with a pink tie. His hair is styled back, and his face is freshly shaven. I’ve never seen him dressed up like this before. He looks so good. I now understand the phrasea sight for sore eyes.It’s like I’m looking at a J. Crew model. He could go from his fancy suit to his t-shirt and baseball cap in a matter of minutes and still look equally as good.
I’m so stupid.
A J. Crew model said he loved me, and I didn’t say anything back.
Actually, I broke up with him, so technically Ididsay something back.
I need to fix this.
* * *
I seeTyler congratulating my dad and Anna Mae, but between the luncheon and the guests, I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet.
“Why are you undressing that guy with your eyes?” Matt asks. He flew in for my dad’s wedding…or maybe just for this moment right now when he gets to torture me.
I hit him on the shoulder. “I’m not! I was just waiting for a chance to talk to him.”
“Is hetheguy?”
I eye him. “Yes.”
“He seems nice. Why did you screw it all up with him?”
“I didn’t screw itallup. I can still fix it.”
“By the way he’s been ignoring you all day, I’m not sure you can fix it.”
I glare at him. “I don’t like taking relationship advice from someone who’s had it easy with love. Everything always works out for you.”
He smiles like he finds my assessment of him amusing. “You think everything works out for me when it comes to love?”
“Doesn’t it?”
Matt lifts his drink to his mouth. “Sure.”
For some reason it feels like I hurt Matt’s feelings. I want to ask him about it, but there’s no time.
“It looks to me like Tyler is leaving.” Matt nods to where he is across the yard. “You better get over there if you stand a chance.”
Tyler motions for Krew to come to him.
I think Matt might be right. I think Tyler’s planning on leaving without even talking to me. I ditch my brother and make my way over to where Tyler’s standing.
“Krew, it’s time to go,” he says.
“I don’t want to leave yet. I want some cake.”
