Page 80 of Ardently Yours

Jane adds, “She’s right, so we ask you again. Will you respond to that text or not?”

I look down at my phone and pick it up. Nic and Jane clap. I roll my eyes and stick my tongue out at them as I read his message and decide what to say.

Will: Hey, Lizzie. I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t want you to go. After the wedding, I’m staying in Selah Falls. I’ll live in my aunt’s old house. I want to start over with you and take you out on a real date.

Me: ...

***

Will’s text stays on my mind as I get ready the next day. It’s a Friday morning, an odd day for a wedding, but Nic and Jay wanted the big day to be on their shared birthday: August 27th.

“How crazy is it that you two have the same birthday?“ I ask Nic as I brush her thick, threaded eyebrows, completing her simple but elegant makeup look.

In the background, “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups plays softly from my phone, filling the office room in Selah Church that we’re using for the bridal party. The groomsmen are across the hall, so we have to make sure they leave first and get to the sanctuary before we do, ensuring the bride and groom don’t cross paths.

Jane has been coordinating with the groomsmen, going back and forth to talk to them when needed since I can’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t respond to Will’s text. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to spend the night worrying about him, so I decided to focus on my friends and the wedding.

Now the ceremony will be happening in less than half an hour, and I’m just trying to make sure Nic is ready to go and that everything is in order for her. Her mom and dad are making sure the wedding coordinators have everything set up the way it’s supposed to be in the sanctuary.

Jane already talked to the pastor since he’s her dad, and he’s all set. The worship team is pitching in by playing instrumental music for the wedding, so they’re all ready to go when we are.

“It’s crazy,” Nic admits, smiling after I swipe her plump lips with lip gloss. “We share a birthday, and now we’ll share a life together. It’s romantic.”

“I just love you guys,” I say, placing a hand over my heart.

I look at her and see the woman she is today and the girl I grew up with. I see the person who came back to Selah Falls, found a new dream, and reunited with the man God chose for her.

I see my friend. My sister. Part of my crew. I tear up, scrunching up my face to keep myself from crying.

“No. I can’t cry. I can’t mess up my makeup. They said it’s waterproof, but girl, you know they be lying sometimes.”

We laugh and hug. Jane enters the room and joins the hug. We’re in a huddle. All of us trying not to cry as we take in the magnitude of this day.

“We look amazing,” Nic says, sniffling. “Also trying not to cry, by the way.”

“Tears of joy are always welcome, especially when we see you walk down the aisle,” Jane adds, looking up and pressing her lips together. “Oh no. Here I go.”

“We have to keep it together,” I say, laughing and dabbing at my eyes. “Okay, one last hug before we get a few pictures with the photographer, and then...”

“And then I’m getting married!” Nic says excitedly, pulling us in for one big hug.

We hug each other, sniffling, smiling, and laughing. Happiness overwhelms us in the best way.

***

Sage green and cream-colored roses adorn hallway leading to the sanctuary, matching the ones that Jane and I carry as the maids of honor. The groomsmen are wearing sage green boutonnieres with baby’s breath that match our flowers. Nic and Jay chose to have only two maids of honor and two groomsmen. Jay’s dad walks ahead of us as the best man.

We all line up, with Jay walking out alongside the officiant. Then Nic’s parents walk out together as soft music plays in the background, courtesy of the worship team playing a mix of keyboard, guitar, and harp. Next up are Edward and Jane, who link arms, smiling as they walk down the aisle to the music.

I, on the other hand, stop smiling. My heart pounds. I haven't looked at Will yet.

I couldn’t handle it. But I have to. There he is, standing next to me, his arm extended toward me.

He looks devastatingly handsome in his fitted cream tux. I hope I look as good in my V-neck sage green infinity dress, with my hair swept up into a pretty bun held in place with pearl-studded pins. The way he looks at me makes me feel beautiful.

He doesn’t ask me why I didn’t respond to his text. He just waits for me patiently. My eyes meet his. I take his arm.

I know why I couldn’t respond to his text. I couldn’t say what I needed to say that way. I needed to see him. To feel him. To walk with him down the aisle at my best friend’s wedding.