Alicia’s big day had finally arrived. I woke Sunday morning to the sound of her thundering footsteps as she ran from my guest room across the hall and jumped onto my bed, scattering my cats and nearly bouncing me off in her excitement.
She jumped up and down like a kid in a bounce house. “I’m getting married today!”
“Not if you bash your head on my ceiling and break your neck!” Before she could suffer such a fate I grabbed her arm and yanked her down onto the bed. The number-one duty of a maid of honor was to make sure the bride arrived at the wedding alive.
She flopped onto her back next to me. “Can you believe it? Sometimes I thought this day would never come.”
Daniel hadn’t exactly been in a rush to seal the deal, but once he’d come around and proposed he hadn’t once looked back. He’d be a good husband and, with any luck, would get a chance to be a good father one day, too.
“I’m so happy for you, Alicia.”
“I’m happy for me, too.” She sat up and looked at me. “Thanks for letting me stay here these past few months. It’s been fun.”
“It has. I’ve gotten used to having you around, too. It’s going to be awfully quiet without you here.”
Anne jumped back onto the bed and strode across the patchwork quilt, settling beside me.
Alicia reached over and scratched her under the chin. “You could always get another cat to replace me.”
“There’s a thought.” I glanced at the clock. “I suppose we should get moving. It’s going to be a busy day.”
We ate a light breakfast and showered before packing our shoes, jewelry, makeup, and hair products in my car. When Alicia’s mother arrived, we carefully carried Alicia’s dress out to the driveway and hung it draped across the backseat.
“Be good, you two.” I gave Henry and Anne good-bye kisses on the top of their heads and headed out to the wedding chapel.
The afternoon was a whirlwind of activity as we prepared for the event. The ceremony would begin at four, with dinner and dancing to follow in the ballroom. We bridesmaids flitted about the dressing room, fixing our hair and applying our makeup. I had to dab on extra concealer to cover the pink, tea bag–shaped burn mark on my forehead but managed to cover it well enough. Hair and faces ready, we slipped into our shoes and dresses. I paired mine with a beautiful pair of ruby drop earrings that Nick had given me months before.
“The flowers are here!” Alicia’s mother called.
The florist entered the room carrying a gorgeous bouquet of red and white roses for Alicia, lilies for us bridesmaids.
Once the flowers had been distributed, the photographer, who’d captured some candid shots inside, ordered us outside for formal group shots. “This way, ladies!”
She posed us on the stone steps, issuing a variety of orders: “Chins up! Tummies in! Smile!”
Between shots, we fanned ourselves with the wedding service bulletins, trying not to sweat in the June Texas heat.
Nick came up the steps on his way into the chapel. Hell if he didn’t look even more handsome today in the black tux and red vest than he had when he’d tried them on. “Hey, gorgeous,” he said.
I sent him a wink. “Right back at ya.”
He gave me a peck on the cheek. “Your parents here yet?”
“They’re on their way,” I told him. They’d texted me a couple minutes earlier to let me know they’d be arriving shortly.
“I’ll wait for them here so we can sit together.”
We bridesmaids greeted guests as they arrived and took seats inside the chapel. My parents, who’d driven in from my hometown of Nacogdoches in East Texas, arrived just a few minutes after Nick. I gave them both a hug.
My mother put a hand on each of my shoulders and stepped back to look at me. “Aren’t you a beautiful sight?”
“Thanks, Mom. You look great, too.”
She turned side to side, her lips spread in a smile. “I do, don’t I?”
Dad stuck out his hand to shake Nick’s. “Good to see you, Nick. We’ve got some baseball and basketball scores to discuss.”
Nick jerked his head toward the door. “Let’s get in there and get down to it.”
With that, my parents and Nick headed into the chapel.
At five minutes before four, we bridesmaids returned to the bridal suite to prepare for our procession.
Alicia appeared radiant in her dress, beaming with happiness. No nervous bride here. Her mother, on the other hand, couldn’t stop weeping, both of her hands clutching fistfuls of tissue as dark mascara ran down her cheeks.
“Here, Mom.” Alicia thrust a cardboard box of tissue at her mother. “You better take the whole box with you.”
Her mother tossed her old tissues in a wastebasket, grabbed the box from Alicia, and dabbed her eyes with a fresh tissue. “I keep thinking back to when you were a little girl and you’d play wedding. You wore a white pillowcase for a veil, remember? You forced that boy next door to marry you at least a dozen times.”
“You should look him up,” I teased. “He probably owes you alimony.”
Alicia pulled my pearl bracelet out of the box and held it up. “Help me with this, Tara?”
“Of course.” I stepped over, laid my bouquet on the dressing table, and fastened the clasp around her wrist. Noting the garter lying on the tabletop, I picked it up. “Don’t forget this.”
“Oh, my gosh! I almost forgot my something blue!” Alicia slid her foot out of her shoe, slipped the garter over her foot, and slid it up to a spot a few inches above her knee.
A moment later, we made our way out into the now-empty foyer and met up with the groomsmen. We formed a line along the wall where we’d be out of sight of the guests until each of us stepped into the doorway to enter the chapel.
The flower girl and ring bearer, Daniel’s niece and nephew, fidgeted with impatience and excitement. The ring bearer decided a pillow fight might be a fun way to pass the time while we waited, and hit his sister on the shoulder with his miniature pillow.
“Hey! No hitting!” Having no pillow of her own put the flower girl at a distinct disadvantage, forcing her to make do with the only weapon she had, her basket of red rose petals. She swung it at her brother, sending up a shower of red petals, covering the ring bearer and the floor. This looked like a job for the maid of honor, huh?
“Settle down, you two!” I called softly, giving them a smile to let them know they weren’t in trouble. It was hard to expect too much from a four- and five-year-old, after all. “Let’s get those petals back in the basket.”
We scooped the petals up from the floor, though the boy tossed them into the air several times before getting them into the basket, giggling all the while. Little goofball.
When the time came, the groomsmen took their spots at the front of the chapel. Flanked by his parents, Daniel made his way to the front as well. Beautiful harp music beckoned, and the bridesmaids floated down the aisle accompanied by the soft, sweet sound of the strings. Finally, it was time for the maid of honor to make her entrance.
My heart pitter-pattered in my chest when I stepped into the chapel. So many faces turned my way, so many eyes on me. I began the walk down the aisle, smiling at those I passed. As I approached my mother she grinned up at me, virtually glowing with pride. If she was this excited about me being a maid of honor, I could only imagine how thrilled she’d be when I finally got married. My father gave me a stoic nod, already looking bored and probably counting the minutes until the reception and dinner. Nick shot me a wink. I shot him one in return and proceeded to my place beside the chuppah, where Daniel waited for his bride. Daniel and I exchanged smiles. Though today was his and Alicia’s day, as her closest friend I was so glad to be a part of it.
Everyone stood as Alicia came up the aisle, escorted by both her mother and father. She looked absolutely radiant, as if she’d stepped right off the cover of a bridal magazine. Her parents left her next to Daniel under the wedding tent, took their seats on the front row, and the ceremony began.
Admittedly, while the bride and groom went through the rituals my mind and emotions ventured in a million different directions. They went first to my best friend, who was moving into a new phase of life. I was happy for her, yet couldn’t help but engage in some melancholy reverie, thinking back to our crazy days in college, our first jobs together at Martin & McGee. My gaze moved to the chuppah, draped with a prayer shawl that had been in Daniel’s family for generations, and my mind considered the cycle of life, the continuity of family and love. Last, my eyes and thoughts went to Nick, watching me intently from his seat. What was he thinking about? Probably the prime rib being readied in the reception hall. The smell had wafted over, mingling with the scent of the flowers.
I had little time to ponder the last question before Alicia and Daniel broke the glass and the guests sent up good wishes in unison. “Mazel tov!”
Grinning ear to ear, Alicia and Daniel returned down the aisle. The best man stepped over and offered me his arm. I took it and we followed in the bride’s and groom’s footsteps, heading out of the chapel and over to the reception hall.
While Alicia, Daniel, and their parents formed a receiving line, I waited for Nick and my parents at their table, waving them over when they entered. I gestured to three of the chairs. “These are your seats.”
“Thanks, hon,” Mom said, dropping into her chair. “These shoes may be pretty, but they are hurting my feet like all get-out.”
“Wine?” Nick asked her, angling his head to indicate the bar.
“White, please.”
He turned to me. “And a red with a cherry for you.”
“You know it.”
He pulled out a chair for my dad. “Have a seat, Harlan. I’ll get you a beer.”
Dad sat and tossed me a glance as Nick headed to the bar. “That one’s a keeper.”
“He is, isn’t he?”
A moment later Nick returned with our drinks. By then the hall had filled and it was time for me to take my place at the main table nearby with the rest of the wedding party. Christina and Ajay joined Nick and my parents at their table, along with a couple of assorted cousins and Daniel’s uncle Joe, who, as Alicia had promised, regaled those at his table with tales of his gallbladder surgery.
“Want to see my scar?” he asked.
Though all the others declined, Ajay said, “Sure.”
Uncle Joe pulled out his waistband and Ajay took a peek down the man’s pants. “That’s some good work. Hardly left a mark.”
Once the dinner was served, the toasts began. Each time a toast was made, I clinked glasses with those at my table, then raised my glass in Nick’s direction. He did the same.
Finally, it was the maid of honor’s turn to make a toast. I stood, holding my glass of champagne before me. “Alicia and I met back in our first accounting class at the University of Texas in Austin,” I told the crowd. “We bonded over general ledgers, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements.” I put a hand to my heart. “I was the debit to her credit.”
A smattering of chuckles ensued, mostly from the accountants in the audience.
“The two of us moved to Dallas,” I continued, “leased an apartment together, and took jobs at the same accounting firm. It was there that Alicia and Daniel met, when his law firm hired Martin and McGee for a consulting project. Being the smart CPA she is, Alicia realized that Daniel came with some impressive assets. Meanwhile, Daniel had his eye on Alicia’s bottom line.”
More laughter filled the room. Even the nonfinancial types got that joke.
“Now,” I said, smiling down at the couple, “they’ve officially entered into a joint venture.” I raised my glass over my head. “To Alicia and Daniel. May your love always earn a one hundred percent return on investment.”
There was a clinking of many glasses and cries of, “Hear! Hear!”
I touched glasses with those at my table, sat, and tossed back a slug of champagne. Alicia’s parents had sprung for the good stuff. I wouldn’t mind if these toasts went on all night.
When the meal was finished, the DJ cued the music. While the rest of us gathered around the dance floor, Alicia and Daniel had their first dance as husband and wife, swaying to a sappy but appropriate Michael Bublé song. Once they’d finished, the DJ announced a father-daughter dance. Alicia’s father stepped onto the dance floor and began leading her in a classic waltz. When they twirled past me and my dad, Alicia called, “Come on, Tara! Grab your dad and join us!”
I took my father’s hand and led him onto the dance floor.
“I’m a bit rusty,” he said with a chuckle, “but I’ll try not to step on your toes.”
A few other men and their daughters joined us, the flower girl standing atop her father’s feet as they made their way around the space.
“Cute, huh?” I said as we stepped past them.
“Sure is,” my father said. “You know who else would make a cute flower girl? Jesse.”
“She would, wouldn’t she?” Jesse was my favorite niece, a girl after my own heart what with her pink cowgirl boots and sure-shot aim. Of course she had only a BB gun rather than a Glock and fired only at empty root beer cans. But it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if she followed in my footsteps and pursued a career in law enforcement.
The song ended, a classic disco number cued up, and the dance floor was opened to all wedding guests. Nick ditched his tuxedo jacket, grabbed my mother’s hand, and pulled her onto the floor next to me and my father, holding her hand above her head and spinning her in a circle.
“Oh, Lord!” she cried, laughing all the while. “I’m getting dizzy!”
“She’s all yours now!” Nick turned my topsy-turvy mother over to my dad for handling and stepped into place in front of me. When a slow song came on, Nick pulled me up against him. “This just feels right, doesn’t it?” he whispered in my ear.
I looked up at him. “Yeah. It does.”
He gave me a soft, warm kiss.
After several songs, the cake was cut and served. Although Alicia made a show of shoving Daniel’s piece into his mouth, the stern look she gave him when he held her bite to her mouth told him he’d better think twice about messing up her makeup.
Alicia’s cousin Melody was back in party-pooper mode. She took one bite of her cake and gasped. “It’s so dry! Ugh!” She slid her plate onto a discard tray and headed to the bar for more champagne.
Christina took a big bite of the cake and moaned in bliss. “Alicia’s bitchy cousin has no idea what she’s talking about. This cake is delicious!”
It was. And plenty moist, too. There’s just no pleasing some people.
After cake there was more dancing; then it was time for the bride to throw the bouquet.
“Go get ’em, tiger!” Nick gave me a grin and a pat on the ass to send me on my way.
Christina was already engaged to Ajay, so she stayed back with him and Nick. I found myself standing on the dance floor in the center of a group of women, many of whom were a few years younger than me but at least three of whom were significantly older, perhaps single for the second time in their lives.
Alicia stepped into place, taking a quick glance over her shoulder to spot me and offer me a grin before turning back to face away from us.
“One!” the gathered groomsmen called out. “Two! Three!”
On “Three!” Alicia sent the bouquet sailing into the air. I rushed forward, nearly tripping on my heels. The bouquet spun in the air, blooms over stems, as it soared toward the ceiling. It seemed to hover in the air over the throng of women for a moment before descending toward us. I took three elbows to the ribs—Umph! Oomph! Ow!—before the bouquet dropped perfectly into my hands. It was as if it knew it belonged there.
“I got it!” I cried. When I looked around me, my gaze met several angry faces. Some relieved ones, too, of young women who weren’t ready to take the plunge yet. Hey, I’d been there once. Not too long ago, either. Finding the right person really changes your perspective.
Nick stepped over to me. “Nice job, there.”
“Those single women are vicious!” I rubbed my side. “My ribs are bruised.”
“Don’t worry.” He leaned in and whispered, “I’ll kiss them later and make them feel better.”
I hid my smile behind the bouquet as I pretended to sniff it. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Daniel placed a chair on the dance floor and Alicia took a seat in it. She kicked off her shoe, pulled the hem of her dress up, and lifted her leg to expose the satin garter. Catcalls erupted from around the room. One of them came from me. You can dress me up, but you can’t take me anywhere.
Daniel slid the garter off his bride’s leg and stood, waving it in the air. “C’mon up, guys!”
The other single men filed toward the dance floor, but Nick made no move to join them. I gave him a hip check. “You better get on up there.”
“Ugh. Do I have to?”
I cut him a look.
“All right, then,” he muttered, casting me a grin to let me know he was teasing.
By that time, a thick crowd had formed and Nick was stuck at the back of it. Though he was tall, his chances of catching the garter were slim. It would have to make it past two dozen grabbing hands for him to even have a chance. Oh, well.
We bridesmaids gathered around Daniel and Alicia to do the countdown.
“One!” we called out. “Two! Three!”
As Daniel threw the garter, the sea of single men in front of Nick lowered their arms and dropped to their knees, leaving only him standing tall.
What the…?
Nick snatched the garter out of air and held it up in one hand, throwing the other fist up in victory. “Woo hoo!”
The other single men stood back up and exchanged high fives with Nick. When they’d finished, his eyes sought mine. I raised a palm in question but got only a mischievous grin in reply.
I marched over to him. “What was that?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Nick raised his shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “I just got lucky.”
One of the groomsmen walked past and whispered, “Lucky, my ass. He paid us each twenty bucks and promised to prepare all of our tax returns next year.”