Page 28 of Inviting Trouble
It felt like a fist wrapped around her heart and squeezed. She quickly turned to face front. She took a deep breath, reaching for her calm center. She didn’t want to snarl at him. She wanted to—ugh! Clueless man! She wanted to shake him! All this work for a slow blink! She could barely focus on whatever Charlotte was saying about the latest workout technique with a swing even though she normally loved to talk fitness and getting strong. She tugged the hem of her dress down a bit. Okay, wait, he hadn’t gotten the full effect of her standing in the dress. The reception was where the magic would happen. She slid her ice-cold fingers under her legs.
The seats filled in, and when the music started, they turned as one to see Hailey walking down the aisle, looking like a beautiful princess, smiling as though she enjoyed being the center of attention. And then came Claire in a stunning gown with a big poufy bottom like they’d all seen inGone with the Wind, a previous book club selection. They’d watched the movie after reading the book. Claire’s dad walked her down the aisle. She knew the dress was custom made for Claire by some famous designer. Claire wore a veil over her face, but Mad could still make out her expression, smiling and confident. Jake stared hard, love shining in his eyes. An unexpected lump formed in her throat.
The officiant was local, a judge who’d been paid well to keep the wedding quiet. He led them in the vows and, when Jake said his part of the vow, silent tears leaked out of Claire’s eyes. And, for some stupid reason, Mad’s too. She sniffled and carefully wiped under her eyes, hoping she hadn’t ruined her makeup.
Josh stared at Hailey standing on the other side of Claire. Hailey stared at Jake, a pleasant expression pasted on her face as if she knew there would be pictures.
When Claire said her part of the vows, through tears that Jake brushed away gently with his thumbs, Mad lost it, a small sob escaping before more tears streamed down her face. Geez. She was going to ruin all of Hailey’s hard work on her face. It was just the first time she’d been at a wedding with two people she loved, and feeling the love between them at the same time was overwhelming.
A white handkerchief wiggled next to her shoulder. “Thanks,” she said over her shoulder and saw it was from Park.
He pressed his lips together, looking concerned. She knew he didn’t like it when she cried. She rarely did. But as a kid when she occasionally lost it, Park was always the one there for her, silently comforting her with a tissue or a sympathetic look. One time he gathered his allowance, a collection of quarters, and bought her a chocolate bar.
She wondered for a moment why Park carried a white handkerchief, figured it probably came with the suit, and wiped carefully under her eyes where she figured there would be smeared mascara. Nothing came off. Hailey smiled at her. She blinked a few times and smiled back. The woman had her back with the waterproof stuff.
She sniffled and held the handkerchief tightly in her hand. Park had always had her back too. How could she not love him?
The ceremony ended to applause as Jake and Claire kissed for the first time as husband and wife. Her friends whooped and whistled. She felt another sob threaten and looked to the ceiling. Tears spilled over her cheeks anyway. A warm hand gripped her shoulder and squeezed briefly. She knew without looking that it was Park. Ty was more likely to clap her on the back.
Claire and Jake ran down the small aisle, hand in hand, beaming.
She stood and watched them go, wiping her tears once more. She met Park’s sympathetic eyes. “I’m fine. Thanks for the handkerchief.”
“It was from your dad. He gave it to me to give to you.”
“Oh.”
Her dad had already moved down the aisle away from her.
“Guess I’ll thank him, then.” She felt like an idiot, reading so much into Park’s every move. She had to stop remembering the way he was in the past and try to see him for who he was now. It was only fair if that was what she wanted from him.
Hailey and Josh walked down the aisle together, a sharp contrast of Hailey’s sunny bright looks and Josh’s serious dark looks. Josh escorted her in a gentlemanly way, offering his arm. Their dad had drilled gentlemanly manners into all of her brothers. It took for some better than others. Hailey looked like she was walking in front of the judges at a beauty pageant, poised and controlled, a smile plastered on her face.
They all reconvened in the formal living room, where round tables held glasses of champagne for everyone. They toasted and drank champagne for a cocktail hour while they waited for the limos that would take them to the reception.
Hailey appeared at her side. “I saw you crying at the wedding, you softie.”
Mad adjusted the lace shawl more firmly around her. “It was Claire. The minute she started crying, I started crying. It’s contagious.”
“Lauren and Carrie were crying too,” Hailey said.
Mad glanced over at them, happy and drinking champagne now. “I feel a little better.”
“Park helped you out, though,” Hailey said with a smile.
“It was a handkerchief from my dad,” Mad said. “He was just the messenger.”
“Don’t you worry,” Hailey said in a voice of steel. “The night is young. I haven’t failed yet in my efforts.” She narrowed her eyes. “Who am I?”
Mad rolled her eyes and droned, “The love junkie.” It was on her professional wedding planner business card.
“And what do I do?”
“Make love bloom,” Mad mumbled, glad Park was on the far side of the room with Ty.
“Correct!”
Mad snagged a flute of champagne and sipped, her gaze traveling back to Park. He held a full glass of champagne and didn’t sip. He might have the occasional beer with the guys, but he was rarely drunk. Except for the night he left. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t been drunk that night? Would her life have been different if she’d had the chance to be with him? To express how she really felt about him? Would his life have been different? Probably not. He still would’ve been locked in to Air Force duty.
