“I’m about to say something crazy, so bear with me.”
It’s Friday morning and I’m packing my bag for the wedding. Although Olivia wanted to get married at the Arlie Gardens, which is right down the street, my entire family decided we should stay at the nearby hotel for a real bonding experience. Gag me.
It wouldn’t be so bad, but everything is messed up right now. My dad is staying with Lucas for two reasons. One being the old school tradition of the bride and groom not sleeping together or seeing one another before the ceremony. On the other hand, I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he doesn’t want to see or stay with my mother.
Since I’m going solo, after the ceremony my dad is pushing me out of my room to stay with my mom so he can sleep by himself in my suite. Not ideal.
Liam is expectant with raised brows as he waits for me to drop the bomb.
“I want you to come to the wedding with me.”
“Flynn—”
“Hear me out. Carson already knows about us and she’s the most judgmental one in my family. Luke isn’t gonna care as long as I behave myself. It’s going to force my parents to room together and hopefully resolve their issues. Plus, you’re not my doctor anymore, so it’s not like they can hold that over our heads. It’s a win all around.”
“I’m pretty sure they can still be concerned over the fact that I was your doctor. Carson knows the whole story and look how she reacted.”
“Right, but like I said, she’s judgy. Plus, my mom will be so focused on my brother getting married and my dad will be worried about avoiding my mom that really they probably won’t even notice that I showed up with anyone at all.” It’s a total fucking lie, but sometimes I can’t help myself. I just really want him to come with me this weekend.
“What if I just come to the reception? Then at least it won’t potentially cause a scene during the actual ceremony.”
“Deal.” I’ll take what I can get. Besides, I told Luke I was bringing someone and I don’t feel like listening to Olivia continue to bitch about paying for an extra plate when no one showed up.
Liam starts packing a bag and within the hour, my obscenely poofy, pastel bridesmaid dress is hanging in the back seat and we’re headed out. The rehearsal dinner is tonight, but he opted out of that occasion too, not that I blame him.
The hotel allowed the caterers to serve us our meal tonight. Olivia makes a sappy speech before we eat, barely able to control her tears. My brother gifted her an expensive looking bracelet with the words seas the day engraved into it—an inside joke I don’t understand and don’t want any part of.
I sit beside my dad and we make mindless chitchat throughout the meal. I tell him I brought a date and he deflates, knowing this means I foiled his plans to stay separate from Mom. He asks me how I know the guy and I artfully dodge the question and change the subject.
“I think you should talk to Mom. It’s time. Think of it as Lucas’ wedding present.”
“I paid for this wedding; I think that’s present enough.”
“Dad,” I admonish. Olivia’s parents passed away, and though my brother is full of pride and wanted to pay for the wedding himself, my dad insisted it was his way of welcoming a new daughter into the family. That makes two of us who aren’t his biological daughters.
He nods in agreement and I consider it a victory. Even if things go south, at least I got them to talk. I can’t imagine either of them wanting to cause a scene at the wedding, so I think it’ll go on without a hitch.
After dinner, we rehearse the ceremony. I will admit, the garden is gorgeous. There’s an arch full of flowers at the end complementing the color scheme. The place smells like a floral dream, yet somehow isn’t overwhelming to cause a headache. Olivia has good taste.
I watch them run through the wedding and my brother’s hands are shaky with nerves. Olivia, on the other hand, is calm. Cool as a cucumber. Ready and assured. She looks happy and beautiful as she stands in front of my nervous brother, ironically being the one to calm him.
It makes me think of how I would be in this scenario.
I never pictured getting married. I was never a typical girl, planning out my dream wedding with the real-life human version of Ken to my Barbie. It wasn’t a fantasy I ever entertained.
Until right now.
I wonder if Liam wants to get remarried. I can imagine how handsome he’d be in a tux. His face is the one I envision if I ever walk down the aisle.
Not that I’m ready for that step. I’m only twenty-one with my whole life ahead of me. We’ve been dating all of five minutes and I wouldn’t want to spook him with an errant thought. Being in this setting, it’s hard not to imagine it though. But I’m not going to bring it up to him, no chance in hell.
Once the rehearsal finishes, I’m eager to get back to the room, back to Liam. We have the rest of the night to ourselves and if I have any say in the matter, I intend to spend it naked.
My family wants to spend the night together, making memories or some shit. By family, I mean my mother. I immediately nip that idea in the bud, letting her know I brought a date and have plans. She can figure out what I mean by that all on her own.
I’m in my room for a mere ten minutes when there’s
