Ugh. What did she see on my face just now? Kayla is wildly perceptive, unlike her numbskull brother.
I pointedly ignore her suggestion that I was uncomfortable just now. “Have I told you how excited I am to be in your wedding? Just think, K. You’re getting the fairytale you always wanted.” Her eyes get watery, and I shake my head. “None of that. You can’t cry. If you cry, I’ll cry. It’ll be a vicious cycle.”
She laughs and wipes her eyes. “Deal.”
I drag my suitcase into my room. It’s clean and bright, and I’m already in love with the king-sized bed. “I’m gonna starfish on that mattress the moment you’re gone.”
Kayla stares at the door along the back wall.
I look around, spot the bathroom, and then turn to look at the door that appears to connect my room to…
“Is that Michael’s room?” I whisper.
She winces. “Maybe?”
Great. Now I get to listen to him bang his girlfriend all night.
Lowering her voice, she explains how she had planned to set him up with the bridesmaid who broke her leg. “I thought it was kismet.” She juts out her lower lip. “I thought this meant the stars were aligned for you two to make it to the Promised Land.”
“Promised Land?”
She tilts her head toward the bed. “I’m pretty sure he forgot he told me I could set him up on a date this weekend.”
Perhaps hearing him with his girlfriend is what I need to get him out of my system once and for all. Michael Oliver is not meant for me, and the sooner I learn this lesson, the better.
* * *
At the church, Kayla and Joe introduce the members of the bridal party to each other, and then we do a quick run-through. Who am I paired with? Michael, of course.
As each couple walks down the aisle as though Kayla and Joe just got married, I gingerly hold his arm.
“How’ve you been?”
I’m so stunned he’s talking to me, I trip. He steadies me with a hand to the small of my back. Vanessa watches us with a frown on her face.
“I’m good. Thanks. I’m not used to these heels.” Sienna packed every single outfit along with matching shoes for the entire weekend. The only clothing that belongs to me is my underwear, and even that’s new. Sienna said I couldn’t wear these dresses with cotton underwear and made me buy some silky numbers that she said would eliminate panty lines.
“You, um, you look beautiful.”
I stop in the middle of the aisle and stare at him. “Did hell freeze over just now and I missed it?”
“Shut up, smartass.” He laughs and tugs me toward the back.
“You can’t curse in church,” I hiss. My mother would have a coronary if she heard him just now. “Look what you did. Now I’m gonna have to say a rosary for you.”
His shoulders are shaking, and I’m smiling for some reason. His mom pops out of nowhere and snaps a photo of us. “Aww, look at that. You two are getting along.”
Vanessa joins us, and I let go of her boyfriend’s arm. She looks out of place, and since I know how that feels all too well, I decide to help her feel welcomed.
“What’s your major, Vanessa? You’re a student at Lone Star, right? I think I’ve seen you around campus.” She’s very attractive with striking red hair and brilliant blue eyes. All the women I’ve ever seen around Michael have always been gorgeous. Which makes sense because he’s ridiculously handsome, especially like this, in a suit.
“Communication.” She sniffs and, clinging to Michael’s arm, turns away from me.
Okay, then. Maybe she doesn’t want to be friends.
One of the groomsmen, a guy by the name of Greg, asks if I need a ride to the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.
“She can come with us,” Michael says.
