Asher nods, a satisfied look on his face. “See, now you’re getting it.”
“Probably should have gotten married in the backyard. It would have been better than all this fucking waiting,” Ben mutters.
“Just wait until Allie and I get married next year. It’ll put all your weddings to shame.” Jordan smirks at the three of us and glances towards where Allie is sitting, eyes filled with both love and heat when he looks at her.
I follow his gaze and tune out the conversation my friends continue to have as my eyes fix on Maddy, sitting next to Allie. Allie is trying her best to engage Maddy in conversation, but Maddy’s eyes keep darting to the back of the garden, and her little hands are twisted in her lap. Something isn’t right.
“Does she look anxious to you?” I ask Ben.
“Who?”
“Maddy. She was supposed to sit with the Caseys, but their flight was delayed so they’ll be late. She’s sitting with Allie, but she doesn’t look happy.”
Now I’m the one fidgeting as I watch Maddy turn and glance back again. Now my own hands are curling into fists as I hold myself back from walking over there and rescuing her.
“Asher was right.” Ben turns to me, his face full of understanding. “You love that little girl.”
“Yes,” I say without even thinking, startling myself but not, it seems, startling Ben at all. He just nods at me with a look of…pride maybe? I can’t quite parse the look because my eyes keep drifting back to Maddy.
“Go get her,” Ben says, laying a hand on my shoulder.
I whip around to look at him. “Go get her to do what?”
“To stand with you. She’s obviously uncomfortable and you can help. Go get her.”
“But your wedding is about to start. The wedding where I’m your best man and there will be a million pictures taken of us up here.”
Ben gives me an unimpressed look. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Emma and trust me, we will be having a conversation about that when I’m not five minutes away from getting married. But you’re my brother, Jeremy, and Maddy is important to you, so she’s important to me. Weddings are about family. You’re mine and I think she’s yours. Go get her.”
Ben has barely finished talking before I step down and stride over to Maddy, crouching in front of her. I lay one of my hands over hers and wait until her eyes meet mine.
“Hey, Little Red.”
“Jeremy.” Maddy’s voice is a whisper, such a stark difference from the bubbly, vibrant girl she has been for the past week or two.
“What’s going on, honey? You’re looking sad.”
“Emma said she would be walking down the aisle soon and she would wave to me when she passed me. Rachel too. But it’s taking so long.”
“I know, and I know you were looking forward to sitting with Maya and her family. I’m sorry they’re running late.”
Maddy shrugs. “It’s okay. Allie is really nice but…” She trails off, looking over at Allie with a worried expression on her face.
Allie puts an arm around Maddy’s shoulders, giving her a little squeeze. “I’ve loved hanging out with you, Maddy, but it’s okay if you miss Emma a little or are feeling sad because Maya isn’t here yet. All your feelings are important. The people who care about you care about your feelings too.”
I give Allie a grateful look and turn back to Maddy. “How would you feel about standing up there with me during the wedding?” I point behind me to where Ben is standing.
Maddy gives me a hopeful look. “Really?”
“Really. My best friend is getting married and I’m having a lot of big feelings about it. I could use my other best friend up there, if you’re up for it. And you’ll be able to see Emma and Rachel as soon as they start walking down the aisle.”
Maddy’s face explodes in a grin. “I think I would really like that.”
“Well then let’s go, Little Red. We’ve got a wedding to watch.”
I stand and pick her up from her chair, carrying her up to the front and taking my place next to Ben. When I start to put her down, she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Can you hold me?” she whispers.
