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“If he’s a hunk on TV just wait till you see him in person,” Celia the third bridesmaid added.
“Sorry,” Emma said still clearly confused thank god, “I still have no clue who you’re talking about.”
“Jake ‘The Jet’ War…” Lisa began again.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve got that part, but who is he?” Emma asked.
“He’s only the best quarterback in the NFL,” Celia laughed. “He’s won what four Super Bowls?”
“Five and he’s only been playing for eight years,” Lisa said. “And on top of being a great player he’s also incredibly yummy.”
“Okay,” Emma said, “that explains it; you know I don’t watch too many sports.”
“What about you Stacey?” Celia asked. “You’re from the South you’ve had to have heard about Jake.”
“Hmm,” she murmured pretending she wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. “Sorry I was looking for the boutonniere for the best man.”
“Miles’ mother has them,” Emma reminded her. “She’ll get him all set up. Which is what we should be doing, after all, Stacey reminded me about ten minutes ago that the wedding should be starting any time now.”
“I agree,” Celia said. “We should get you married so we can have a chance at the best man.”
Emma laughed joking, “Well typically the maid of honor does have first choice at the best man.”
“Trust me I have no desire at taking a shot at anyone,” Stacey stated matter-of-factly as the other girls shot her dirty little looks, “especially ones who play sports.”
“Oh, come on, the man is the epitome of fine.” Lisa was nearly drooling over him, and Stacey could understand why, she’d always felt it too when she saw him.
“I don’t know, Nick’s not too bad himself,” Celia stated.
Stacey thought about her latest boyfriend. He was gorgeous, there was no denying that, but he was also beginning to hint at a future, one that she was not ready for or willing to try. He’d wanted to come with her today, but she persuaded him that she wouldn’t have any time to enjoy the day with him because of her maid of honor responsibilities.
“He’s certainly got a something going for him,” she said, preoccupied with seeing Jake again.How could eight years just disappear in the blink of an eye, or the push of a door? “Come on Em, it’s time to put your veil on.”
Lisa and Celia walked to the door to let everyone know they were ready while she helped Emma put the finishing touches of her look together. A few minutes later, they were ready to go, and Stacey steeled herself for the moment she and Jake met to walk down the aisle together.
“Ready?” Stacey asked her best friend.
“Absolutely,” Emma said excitedly.
“Then let’s go.” She gave her what she hoped was a convincing smile. They both stepped out into the edge of the vestibule as Lisa and Celia began their walk up the aisle on the arms of Miles’ teenage brother, Miller, and one of his friends, Tristan. She knew she was hiding behind Emma and took care to not step on her train. She could tell the instant he saw her, and his reaction was pretty much the same as hers had been.
There was no time for anyone to say anything, so she took his arm and propelled him up the aisle with her. By the time they reached the front of the church, he was back to a semblance of his normal self, and they gladly parted ways once there. Stacey couldn’t recall most of the ceremony but each time she looked up, she caught Jake’s gaze on her. It was beginning to unnerve her, but she smiled and cheered along with the rest of the crowd as the pastor announced them man and wife and they kissed.
Then began the recessional and she once again was arm in arm with Jake. They stood side by side not speaking as the guests filed out congratulating Emma and Miles. He turned towards her after everyone had gotten through the line, but she sidestepped him and found the wedding photographer to discuss some of the photos that Emma had originally wanted to do before the ceremony with the bridesmaids and groomsmen together. She stressed that due to the height differences between Lisa and Miller and herself and Jake that it might be better if they rearranged the order for the pictures’ sake.
The photographer didn’t seem to mind and soon they were lost in a sea of constant motion. They were sitting, standing, moving, laughing, and being serious, all while she cleverly avoided Jake, but Emma wanted a photo with the bride and groom and the maid of honor and best man.
“Come on Stacey, we’re almost done, then we can get to the party, and you can get back to Nick,” she teased.
“Nick didn’t come,” she whispered quietly to her.
“Why not?” she asked turning to her as the photographer took another picture.
“Em, can we discuss this later,” she said through smiling lips.
“Sure.”
“I think that does it,” Miles said as he gave Emma a smile that showed how deeply he loved her.
