Page 217 of Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions
Like an omen almost, of what I couldn’t have—but wanted, more desperately than I’d ever wanted anything.
Illogical as it was.
Juniper had never been more beautiful than she was at her wedding. Her dress puffed around her calves, exposing the white cowboy boots she’d had custom made. Her veil dragged behind her in the dirt, long enough I was relieved it hadn’t managed to trip anyone up all day. She’d ended up picking the ultra long one for dramatic effect.
She didn’t mention boob sweat.
Not once.
Dad ugly cried the entire time he led her down the aisle, and Roderick did the same. Both of them were loud as hell, tears slipping down their cheeks. It was impossible not to react, and I found myself shedding a tear or two as well, especially when Roderick began “lasso-walking” Juniper the last ten or so steps, and the benches full of wedding guests erupted into booming, eager applause.
In a blink, it was over.
Just like that.
Years of preparation all leading to the single, perfect moment that was Juniper and Roderick exchanging rings, and kisses, with a canopy of leaves—and all their loved ones, all in one place.
I felt lighter, already.
Lighter still as they ran down the aisle together, arms held high, more cheers echoing through the picturesque morning. Even Mom had showed up—standing on the front row beside Dad wearing her signature sunglasses and a soft smile.
It felt like aperfectmoment.
A movie moment.
Like from an eighties rom-com where everything turned out in the end.
I was floating when I met George’s gaze—somewhere in the middle of the crowd, tucked between his parents and siblings. His eyes were as fathomless as always. Surreptitiously, he glanced around, searching for the missing exhibitionist from last night, probably—before he raised his hand in a shy thumbs up, aimed my way.
I mirrored the motion, heart fluttering like crazy.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how my watch had looked on his wrist. And how heavy it felt now. Heavy in a way it never had before. Like it wasn’t mine anymore.
Couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d watched me as I’d shaved this morning, all dark, lovely eyes. Or the way he’d offered to help me get the corner of my jaw—then let me return the favor, steady swipes of my blade on his skin.
I didn’t see him again until later. Mom left early. We’d done family pictures—Dad, Juniper, Roderick, and I. The whole time I’d felt the empty spot at my side keenly. I’d done my best not to focus on it, however—instead making sure Juniper felt seen and appreciated on her big day, even though my hovering was apparently pissing her off.
Because by the time the photos were over and it was time to join thereception, she confronted me. “If you don’t stop looming over me I’m going to scream.”
“I’m only?—”
“Helping, I know.” She laughed then smacked my chest. “And you’ve beenveryhelpful.” Her tone softened. “The most helpful. And I appreciate it, so, so, so much.” It was an uncharacteristic show of genuine emotion. We’d had way too many of these moments lately. But I supposed that was what happened at weddings. We both shifted on our feet, uncomfortable. “But I will be here tomorrow for you to celebrate with. And I’ll be here the day after that—and the day after that—and the day after?—”
“Okay, I get it.”
“So go…I dunno. Fuck off and have fun with your date.”
“Oh my god.”
“I feel sufficiently supported and loved.” She gave my chest a pat. “Really.” I sighed, tension bleeding away as I nodded. “Besides—you got to hog Dad all day yesterday, and I’ve barely seen him.”
“You see me every day,” Dad dead-panned, where he was not even pretending he wasn’t eavesdropping to our left.
“I’m trying to make Alex not feel guilty for spending time with George instead of me,” June groaned, hands flying up. “You’re not helping.”
“Right.” Dad adopted an air of mock seriousness. “Go forth. Be gay.”
“He’s bisexual,” Roderick supplied helpfully, still clinging to Juniper’s arm. He was the one that was truly hovering. But when he did it, it was cute, apparently.
