I paused at the altar and admired the glass candle towers Gabe and I had created at the cabin. I decided right then and there I was taking two of them after the wedding so I could always remember our Pinterest project and weekend of everything amazing when I found my guy.
On the way back to the bridesmaids, a door was open, and I stopped in the hall to see the groomsmen laughing and talking. Gabe looked like a male model in his black tux and crisp white shirt.
I admired that strong jaw, the tamed hockey hair, and strong arms while there was a pry in my stomach, remembering what it was like be all wrapped up in him. I’d never looked forward to anything more than tonight. The night everything would change forever.
At four, my phone pinged, announcing Brandon’s arrival. I texted him to come down the back hallway, and clapped when I saw him in his navy suit.
“Look at you. You’re so handsome.”
“Thank you.” He extended his arm. “Let’s take a walk and burn off some of the nerves I see all over your face.”
We strolled down the back halls of the ginormous church.
We walked past some type of office, and my heart did a plié when I saw Ed and Gabe standing inside with their backs toward us. There he was!
Gabe slapped Ed on the shoulder. “Okay, you stay here, and I’ll grab the fellas. Time to get this show on the road.”
Brandon and I scurried around the corner and out of sight as Gabe came out and started down the hall.
I peeked around and whispered, “Isn’t that the finest tush you’ve ever seen?”
Brandon yanked me back. “I’m not the best judge of that. Be quiet, or he’ll think you’re spying on him.”
My ears perked up when I heard Gabe’s voice in the distance. “Well, look who we have here. I’m not used to seeing you all dressed up.”
There was a giggle from the hall, and I took a quick look to see a tall blonde in a blue dress.
She did a spin. “Yes, you’re used to me in sweatpants, right? Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about the weekend we discussed.”
The word WEEKEND brought on my supersonic hearing.
Gabe’s voice was smooth. “Yeah, I hadn’t heard back so thought maybe you’d gone in a different direction.”
My head swirled. This couldn’t be what it sounded like. Nope, it was something else, I was sure of it.
She nodded. “I gave it a lot of thought. I never do these kinds of things so I just wanted to make sure before I got back to you.”
I think I forgot to breath. This had to be a misunderstanding.
Her voice got quieter. “But if the offer’s still on the table, I’m a yes.”
There was silence. Maybe this was an offer for brunch?
“Hey, I’m sorry, but something’s kind of come up.”
I squeezed Brandon’s hand. I was what had come up. Me. There would be no more future weekend things because I was the last and final.
I peeked to see her jump closer to Gabe.
“Come on, Gabe. I’m sorry I thought about it too long, but this would be great, and I kind of really need this right now.”
The pounding in my ears was deafening as spots crawled in front of my eyes while he remained quiet for what felt like forever. Why wasn’t he shooting her down?
“Listen, I?—”
“Gabe, come on. I know you want to do this, and it would be amazing. Please say we can.”
I heard him exhale from my spot around the corner while I held my breath.
