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"Let me be clear," Micah said, looking at me before we were in earshot of them. "I will take anything you're offering."
Chapter 11
My heart.
Was my heart even in my chest anymore?
Micah said he would take anything I was offering, and I felt like he meant he wanted everything with me. It was surreal to believe that he wanted me as much as I suddenly found myself wanting him.
We walked toward the group of family that was standing around, taking photos, and I reached out and grabbed his hand. I had touched Micah lots of times before. I had even held his hand before. But this time I meant it.
We had been friends for so long that no one gave us a second glance for walking up like that.
"Okay, let's do the one with our immediate family," my mom said as we came near. She motioned for me to go to them, and I dropped Micah's hand and went that way.
I looked back at him from over my shoulder. Our eyes locked for a second or two, and I hoped it was enough. I hoped he felt what I felt.
When I turned, my mom was waving at me to come into the photograph. It took a second, but I positioned myself next to Isaac where everyone was telling me to go. "It was beautiful," I said to my brother as I was getting in place. "The ceremony."
He glanced over at me. "Thank you," he said. The photographer was telling my dad to move, and Isaac took the opportunity to lean in. "Don't play with him," he said to me.
"Who?" I asked.
"I saw you hold his hand just now. Micah. Don't play with him."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't hold his hand like that. He loves you, and that's just—"
"Okay we're ready!" the photographer announced. Isaac stood up straight just in time for the photographer to start snapping. We took several photos, all while my thoughts were going ninety to nothing. I tried my best to smile.
The photographer invited a few of Ari's family to get into the photograph, and while they were working on that, I looked at Isaac again.
"He would freak out if he knew I was telling you this, but he has feelings for you, and I don't want to see him get hurt." Isaac was being really quiet about it. No one but me could hear him. I could tell he was genuinely concerned for Micah.
I leaned in and spoke next to my brother's ear. "How would you know if he has feelings for me?"
He pulled back and looked at me. Thankfully, the photographer was still busy positioning Ari's family. Isaac and I stared at each other. It seemed like he was thinking about what to say to me.
"You don't need to worry about this on your wedding day, anyway," I said.
"Just be careful. I know he's your friend and everything, but he loves you for real, Claire. Don't you dare tell him I told you that."
"Did he tell you he likes me?"
He shrugged. "He doesn't have to tell me that anymore."
"Okay everyone, eyes on me!" The photographer called out for us to focus, and I stood up straight and turned to smile.
My feelings were all over the map. I felt such excitement and adrenaline from my conversation with Micah and then it only intensified when I was holding his hand. I was already shaken up when my brother whispered in my ear.
I knew my brother, and I could tell he was being serious and sincere. Isaac said Micah loved me. He said it like he was being protective of Micah, which made me happy and sad at the same time. I smiled at the camera, all the while aware of Micah's presence.
Lila was talking to him. I could see her. She was cute, and they shared some of the same history in Rita's room. They had a lot in common, and suddenly I was jealous of her. I had to stay in the photograph for a few more shots while other family members came and went.
After a minute, Isaac called for Micah to come into the photo. He aimed for the edge, but Isaac and I both waved him over, and he came to stand next to Isaac. Isaac put his arm around Micah, and they had a quiet exchange much the same as Isaac and me.
I had no idea what they said to each other, and I was standing right there. There were more photos taken. We stayed up there for a few more minutes while more and more people got added to the photo. By the time the last group got added, Micah had shifted away from me and then next to me again. My arm was on fire where it was touching his, and there were at least two layers of fabric between us. I shifted my weight and leaned against him even though it wasn't necessary.
