“I saw the pool,” I said, kneeling to her level. “And you look beautiful in your dress.” She looked so much like Nate it took my breath away. Same wavy dark hair, brown eyes, and his lean, athletic build.
Maria skipped away, heading toward her mother, who was in front of the mirror with the other women, adjusting her veil.
I stood to take a good look at Luci. She was a pretty girl, even at twelve, which could be an awkward stage for girls, with strawberry blonde hair and a heart-shaped face. However, her green eyes were red, and dark purple smudges under them almost looked like she’d been on the losing end of a fight.
“How’s it going, Luci?” I asked.
“Fine.”
“You excited for today?” I asked.
She looked at her feet. Her toes were painted the same pale blue as her dress. “Yeah.”
“I met Mark just now,” I said. “He seems nice.”
She glanced at her mother, then lowered her voice. “We’ve known him for like two minutes. So, you know.”
“You’re going to have to trust your mother. If she thinks this is right for her and you two, then you’re going to have to have a little faith.”
“Yep, that’s the company line,” Luci said.
Company line? Where had she heard that, and what did it mean exactly?
A woman I figured was Mark’s sister, came in to tell us it was time. She organized us all—the girls as bridesmaids first, thenBecca and me. We went outside. Music started. The girls walked first. I gave Becca my arm.
“You ready?” I asked.
She gave me a tremulous smile. “I’m suddenly nervous.”
“Just hold on to me. I got you.”
“Thanks, Dorian.” She looked up at me. “Truly.”
“Let’s do this.”
We walked toward Mark, who had started crying the moment he saw Becca in her dress. He was trying hard to get his facial expressions under control, but it wasn’t working. But the effort to keep himself together was oddly moving. This man was invested. I had to give him that.
At the arch, the officiant asked who gives this woman.
“I do, sir,” I said.
I took Becca’s hand off my arm and placed it in Mark’s. His hand closed around hers.
This was happening. And suddenly, I felt Nate’s presence as if he were behind me, both his hands on my shoulders. Pushing me? Holding me up?
I stepped back and found my seat. The ceremony should have been touching, with Mark promising the girls he’d be their father from that day forward. Most of the guests were sniffing and dabbing at their eyes. I felt nothing but a dull numbness.
Soon enough, they were married. Cheers from the guests as the couple walked back down the aisle.
The reception spread out across the lawn in the gold of late afternoon. Before the wedding party could enjoy themselves, there were photos to endure. I stood back, watching as the photographer wrangled everyone into place.
The photographer took a dozen shots of the bride and groom, then called for the girls to join them. “Let’s have the whole family.”
“I want to be next to Dad.” Maria ran to Mark, tugging on his hand, leaning the side of her face on his arm.
“Luci, come on,” Becca said, gently. “Won’t take but a few minutes, and then we can have cake.”
Luci started walking backward. “I don’t want to. Be in the picture. Go ahead without me.”
