Chapter 41

The room grew quiet when the tall and lanky caramel-skinned emcee spoke into the microphone. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to bring out our newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Strong, to dance their first dance as husband and wife.” He cleared his throat. “As you know, it’s customary for the couple to choose one song, but Nicholas and Kim wanted to do something different. Actually, rumor has it, the lovebirds couldn’t agree on a tune and so they decided to have two first dances—one chosen by Nicholas and the other by Kim.” He flashed his dimples. “But the joke’s on them because they both chose the same song.”

Our guests broke into laughter.

My jaw dropped and I looked at Nicholas in time to see him clamp a hand against his mouth. We’d spent a good portion of an hour naying each other’s yays for our first dance, and yet with all the songs from which to choose, we separately picked the same one. I was convinced we were the most sublime of all the perfect couples in the world, and God had brought us together to show all the mediocre pairs how it was done.

“Let’s hear it for Nicholas and Kim as they dance their only first dance together to ‘Like I’m Gonna Lose You.’”

My chest was so full of love, I thought my dress might pop open to reveal my new lace bra and panty set. As the female vocalist’s melodious voice rang in my ear, managing to sound exactly like Meghan Trainor, I stepped into Nicholas’s arms and we danced like no one was watching.

Nicholas pulled me close. “We did it,” he whispered.

“Are you referring to getting hitched or making it through the ceremony without any major debacles?” My eyes were closed as I moved to the rhythm, but I opened them when I felt Nicholas’s warm breath on my face. I ran my hand along his smooth jaw. He’d shaved for the occasion.

“Both, I guess. But I was referring to the latter. If this wedding was a test from God, I think we passed.”

I suppressed a laugh. “I thought the same thing when you told me about the street closures.” Could we be any more meant to be? I remembered we weren’t actually alone in the room and smiled at our guests as Nicholas continued to slowly twirl me around the dance floor.

“I’m conserving enough energy to consummate our sacred union later, but after that I’d like to sleep for a week.”

I nodded up at him. “You can catch up on sleep on the beach in St. Lucia. I can already picture the two of us under an umbrella, sipping frozen drinks, and alternating naps with dips in the ocean.” The view inside my head was divine.

The emcee asked the bridal party and their dates to join us, and my heart warmed as my dad led my mom to the dance floor.

I looked over Nicholas’s shoulder and noticed Warren and Jeanine throwing curious glances at Tiffany and Natalie, who were swaying together. “Do your parents know Natalie and Tiffany’s relationship isn’t strictly platonic?”

Nicholas stopped dancing and turned around just as Tiffany pulled Natalie into a lip lock. He faced me again with a glint in his eyes. “They do now.” We laughed together, but then Nicholas pressed his lips together.

“What’s the matter?”

“Did you say St. Lucia before?”

I jutted my head back at the strange change of topic. “Yes.”

“You mean St. Martin, right?”

“St. Lucia. Our flight isn’t until later tomorrow, so we don’t have to rush to check out.” I leaned my head on his shoulder. Our first dance was almost over and I wanted to enjoy it.

“Um, Kim?”

I took a step back. “What is it?” The rapid beating of my heart told me something was very, very wrong.

Nicholas’s face was devoid of color. “I don’t think God is finished testing us.”

I crinkled my brow. “Meaning?”

Nicholas grimaced. “You reserved us flights to St. Lucia, but we’re booked for a six-night, seven-day stay at the Four Seasons in St. Martin.”

My mouth dropped open. “You’re punking me, right?” Bam, bam, bam went my heart.

Erin and Gerry glided over to us. “Enjoying yourselves?” Erin asked.

I nodded energetically. “Totally.” Through my teeth, I whispered to Nicholas, “Please tell me this is a joke.”

Nicholas planted on a robotic smile for his new sister-in-law and her husband. “Amazing time.” He spun me around. “I wish I was, Kimmie.”

Before I could stop them, my eyes filled with tears, probably ruining all of Rowena’s handy work in the process. Nicholas put a hand on each of my shoulders. “We’ll make a few phone calls and get this straightened out. I promise we’ll have our dream honeymoon.”

“I know. It’s just so…” My body quaked and I shook my head emphatically.

Nicholas peered at me. “Are you laughing?”

I opened my mouth but couldn’t form words.

“It’s not funny.” The corners of Nicholas’s mouth twitched. “Not at all.” He turned away from me and rocked back and forth, holding his stomach.

When the music stopped, we remained on the dance floor, lost in our own world.

“Everything all right, you two?” my mom asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

“Fine.” I pressed my fist against my lips too late to suppress a snort. “It’s all good. Right, Nicholas?” I nudged him from behind.

He turned around, red faced. “Couldn’t be better, Mrs. Long.”

She pulled him into a hug. “You can call me ‘Mom’ now.”

Nicholas wiped at his damp eyes. “Mom, it is.” His shoulders continued to shake.

“Oh, you sweet boy. I had no idea you were so sentimental.” My mom turned to me. “Did you know?”

I nodded my answer while holding onto my sides. They ached from laughing so hard and I wouldn’t be surprised if I pulled something. I might even be sore in St. Lucia. Or St. Martin. Or wherever we ended up. It didn’t really matter as long as we were together.

  

Hannah, wearing a satin royal-blue backless knee-length cocktail dress with classic Christian Louboutin shoes, pursed her lips while surveying the room in undisguised surprise. She looked up at me from her seat at the table. “It’s a very classy affair. Didn’t you have your Sweet Sixteen in your parents’ craft store?”

On any other day, my face would have contorted into a smirk, but not today. Nothing, not even Hannah Marshak—passive-aggressive frenemy extraordinaire—could push me off the happy plane I was flying. I did, however, wish Nicholas would tear himself away from Rob and Mrs. Rob on the other side of Hannah’s table and join me. We were supposed to be partners “in everything” according to his vows. Shouldn’t that include collectively greeting our most infamous guest? “Yes, Longing for Crafts was my first-choice venue, but the ’rents sold it five years ago.”

“The decorations are gorgeous in a DIY sort of way,” she said, pointing to the tall white candle and blush rose in a glass votive in the center of the table.

“Thank you.” I smiled politely. Instead of being disappointed with the centerpieces, as I’d feared, I’d been delighted. Caroline and Bridget had created a warm romantic atmosphere for the reception. I doubted Martha Stewart could have done a better job.

Hannah’s date rolled his blue eyes. “Everything is beautiful, Kim. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Fred. I’m so glad to see you, by the way.” Hannah might never teach a course on the art of giving compliments, but she won some points for bringing Fred as her date. He’d matured from a short thick-glasses-wearing nerd into a very handsome, but still short, designer-glasses-wearing millionaire.

“Me too. I was sorry to miss the ten-year reunion, but Hannah wants to plan one for our fifteenth.” His eyes sparkled.

“I’d recruit someone else to do the work, but under my supervision,” Hannah said.

“Of course.” Fred winked at me.

Hannah continued to circle the room, stopping to gaze upon Bridget and Jonathan in a conversation with Pia on the edge of the dance floor. “Strawberry Shortcake and Jonathan Middleton having a baby.” She tut tutted. “My mind is still blown even though it’s old news. I thought it would have been you and Jonathan.”

“Well, I’m kind of taken now.” I widened my eyes at Nicholas, who had finally looked my way, and waved him over.

“I know. It’s just weird,” Hannah said.

Nicholas joined us. “What’s weird?”

Fred cut in as Hannah opened her mouth. “Hannah was saying how pleased she is her high-school pal, Kim, found true love.” He turned to Hannah. “Right?”

Nicholas and I exchanged an awkward glance, while Hannah and Fred stared each other down.

Hannah frowned at Fred before turning to us and beaming. “Fred’s correct. I’m so happy for you both. And I’ll be sure to tell Kelly how beautiful you looked in your gown. The alterations are flawless.” She turned back to Fred. “I called in a favor with Kelly Dempsey to do Kim and Bridget’s alterations. Did I tell you?”

“Only three times,” Fred said with a fond smile, before patting her on the knee.

Nicholas choked back a laugh and pointed between the two of them. “Are you two dating or just friends?”

“Just friends. Very old friends.” Jutting his head toward the dance floor, Fred said, “Who’s the pretty Asian girl dancing with Bridget?”

“Pia? She’s my blogging partner.” Pia was considering a double Masters in website design and had latched onto Bridget after my “intervention” as a mentor of sorts. Animated Pia looked like she was performing an African Tribal Dance compared to Bridget, who moved slowly to the beat while holding her belly.

“Is she here with someone?” Fred’s cheeks reddened.

My eyes grew wide. I’d assumed Fred’s metamorphosis from awkward teenager to rich and handsome adult included the ability to ask about a girl without blushing. Seeing a flash of teenage Fred in the successful adult version endeared me to him, but not enough to give him the answer he wanted. “She did bring a date. And she lives in Michigan.”

Fred shrugged. “Oh, well.”

Hannah stood up. “I need to use the ladies’ room.” She grabbed her Dolce & Gabbanna beaded evening clutch and patted Fred on the shoulder of his dark blue suit. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll go with you, Hannah!”

The four of us turned to Erin, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Erin pouted her full lips. “I couldn’t help but overhear you say you needed to use the bathroom.”

Hannah gave Erin the Manhattan once-over. “You’re the sister, right? Erica?”

“Erin,” I corrected, while twisting my platinum wedding band around my finger. I was torn between pity for my baby sister—who looked crushed—and a desire to laugh. Apparently, marriage didn’t make me a kinder older sibling.

Hannah lifted her gaze from Erin’s silver strappy stilettos and nodded. “Fantastic shoes.” She gestured toward the exit, said, “Let’s go,” and began walking.

On Hannah’s heels, Erin gushed, “Thank you! I can’t wait to read A-line in the Sand.”

Fred snickered. “Hannah and her fans—an American love story.”

I chuckled. “We should make our rounds, but thank you so much for coming tonight. We hope you have a wonderful time.” To Nicholas, I said, “Shall we?”

Nicholas shook Fred’s hand before placing his palm on the small of my back and leading me to the next table. Into my ear, he whispered, “Looks like Writer Chick has it bad for Fred.”

Stopping in my tracks, I said, “What did you say?”

“Hannah likes Fred. It’s obvious.” He gestured for me to keep walking.

I remained unmoving. “Sorry, dear husband, but Hannah and Fred? No way.” I giggled and kissed him on the cheek. “Let’s go,” I said, grabbing his hand.

This time, Nicholas stood still. Cocking an eyebrow, he said, “You didn’t notice the way Hannah pouted when Fred said they were just friends and then coincidentally excused herself to the bathroom when he asked about Pia?”

I frowned. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

He shrugged. “Based on what I just witnessed, yes.”

My mouth dropped open. I couldn’t wait to tell Bridget.