Page 85 of Don't Lie to Me
Almost four months later
My cheeks felt like they were plastered into a permanent smile. I had been standing at the front of the church for almost two hours, smiling and posing for the camera. The heat wasn’t working properly and my body felt frozen.
I was sure that when Macy got her pictures back from her overly excited photographer, my lips would show a slight tinge of blue, and my bare shoulders would be bright pink from frostbite.
“Say cheese!” Her photographer cheered and clicked away at least a half dozen times. I looked down at Logan, dressed immaculately in his little tuxedo that matched the groomsmen and groom and cringed.
“Logan,” I hissed quietly so as not to interrupt the photographer; again. “Look at the camera.”
His eyes moved to mine. He was standing in front of the group while I was in the back next to Macy. “My feet hurt,” he whined and all the guys laughed.
“I understand your pain, man,” Tate said and patted him on the shoulder. “Just hang on a little bit longer, okay?”
Logan frowned but nodded.
Twenty minutes later, the pictures were finally done and I was in a back bridal room, with Macy, her younger sister and two of her cousins, waiting for the time when she would walk down the aisle.
We were drinking mimosas, and wearing plastic bibs to ensure we didn’t spill on our dresses. We looked absolutely ridiculous, but I had to hand it to Macy’s mom for the idea.
“You ready for this?” I asked Macy, completely joking. Her and Tate were completely in love and if any couple could stand the test of time it was them.
She brushed an invisible piece of lint off her dress and smiled. Her brown eyes got all fuzzy looking, like they always did when she thought of – or looked at – Tate. You could feel her peace and excitement from a mile away.
“I’ve never been more ready. How about you? Are you ready for school next week?”
“You’re about to get married and you’re asking me about school?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m starting to freak out. Quit being a bitch and take my mind off of it.”
Who could blame her? Even if we all knew her and Tate were perfect together, I’d be nervous too if I was getting ready to confess something like that in front of hundreds of people. “I feel nervous, but that’s probably because I’m going to be older than most law students, but Jack’s been really supportive.”
He was actually my biggest supporter next to Macy and my parents. They were thrilled when I told them I was re-admitted to DePaul School of Law when they came to visit for Christmas, and stayed with Jack, Logan and me in Jack’s condo where we were now living together. Jack didn’t waste any time in taking advantage of the second chance I gave him months ago. We were spending every night together anyway, so it only made sense, and now that there were no longer any secrets between us, we only continued to grow closer. We had moved in right after Thanksgiving at Jack’s insistence the only thing he wanted for Christmas was me, in his bed, every day. How could I say no?
Macy grinned. “Just think, next year this could be you.” She laughed when I made a face. Moving in with Jack and going back to law school were big enough adjustments to handle for a new year. Not that I didn’t see myself with Jack forever, I did. I just wasn’t in any big hurry to rush things now that we were finally feeling stable in our relationship.
“We’ll see,” I said noncommittally and heard a knock on the door.
Dean poked his head in when Macy’s sister, Peyton gave him the all clear. “You ready to get this show on the road? It’s time.”
Macy heaved a large sigh, exhaling loudly and slowly, calming her nerves. “More than anything.”
“Then let’s roll, woman. If you keep Tate waiting any longer he might throw up.”
I smacked Dean on the shoulder as we filed out of the room and down the hallway to the entrance of the sanctuary.
I watched the first three bridesmaids walk down the aisle, and when her sister hit the halfway mark, I turned to Macy and kissed her cheek.
“I’m so happy for you,” I whispered and watched her fight back the tears.
It took me about a half second to find Jack in the church once I started walking down the aisle to the sound of Pachelbel Cannon in D. He stood near the front on the bride’s side, right next to the aisle. His smile grew larger as I walked closer. I knew I should have been focused on the front of church and making my way towards the altar and taking my space with the other women, but just like always whenever Jack was around, my eyes could only focus on him.
He blew me a kiss as I passed him, and reached out, lightly brushing my hands with his. My body tingled instantly and I had to force myself to keep moving. If it wouldn’t have been Macy’s wedding, I might have dropped my flowers and jumped into his arms. He always had that effect on me and I hoped it wouldn’t change.
Once I was standing at the altar, I winked over at Tate and Dean and then turned to the front, and watched Logan make his way down the aisle, carrying a white silk pillow with two fake rings. The real ones were hopefully safe in Dean’s pockets. As much as Macy and Tate wanted Logan to participate in their ceremony, none of us trusted my five year old to keep their wedding bands safe. Logan paused when he reached Jack, and I smiled. Both of us were drawn to the enigmatic man and it made my heart feel full that Logan had so many grown men in his life to look up to.
At Jack’s prodding, Logan finished the walk and plunked down on the bottom step with an exaggerated sigh. Many in the church laughed while my cheeks warmed with a heated blush. Before I could reach down and admonish him, Jack was right there, wiggling his fingers toward him. Logan happily went to him and sat down on Jack’s lap.
That’s why Jack was seated so close to the front, we had a feeling this would happen. Just before the music changed, I heard two soft “clunks” and turned to Jack. He nodded at Logan who I assumed was perfectly happy, now being able to final rid himself of the uncomfortable shoes he’d been forced to wear for hours.
