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Mr. Madly-In-Love is sizing me up, and I think I’m being found lacking.
I think I’ve stepped in it.
Not exactly the first time.
The ink on my arms probably has something to do with his opinion, as well.
Maddie pipes up, and none too soon. “Why don’t you make that two orders of the crab cakes, and put them on our check, please.”
“Oh, no, Maddie. Don’t do that,” Annalise protests.
Maddie sends the waitress a sweet smile of dismissal and the deed is done. Score another one for the bride.
“It’s our treat. For sacrificing an entire weekend for our wedding.”
Annalise waves off the sentiment.
“No, really. I’m sure the last place you wanted to be the weekend before your final was atanotherwedding. Ours was what? Number six?”
“Seven—but I wasn’t counting or anything.”
My head swivels. “Seven?”I blurt, even though I’d more or less vowed I’d stay out of the conversation.
Her smile is a little dry. “Yep. You know what they say. Always the bridesmaid and all that.”
“Lise.” Maddie manages to both reprimand and sympathize at once.
Annalise waves her friend off. “I’m kidding, Maddie. And I didn’t mind a bit. Of all the weddings this summer, I assure you, yours is the one I wouldn’t have missed for all the world.”
Maddie locks arms with her husband, whom I’ve noticed she never can quite keep from touching. “Well, regardless, we appreciate it.”
While I’m still digesting the logistics—and the misery—of standing up in seven weddings period, much less in a single summer, Maddie has whipped out her phone and the ladies areoohingandahhingover wedding photos.
“Oh, and here’s the one of you and me. I ordered you a copy.”
I glance over at this point. “Let me see.” I’m unsure why I’ve spoken up. I’m not a part of any of this. I’m an interloper. Truly, this is a very strange situation.
But Annalise flashes the phone my way. I get a quick peek of the two ladies, one in a wedding gown, the other in an off-the-shoulder dress of pure gold—or at least it looks that way with the sun setting behind them on the beach.
I am dumbfounded. Blown away. I shouldn’t be because the real deal is sitting before me, but Annalise is…stunning. I’ve seen lots of beautiful women in my lifetime, dated some of them, but Annalise? Words escape me.
I form a mild expression, “Pretty,” I respond benignly, directing my smile mainly at the bride as I reach for my drink.
They scroll through a few more photos, at which point I notice Annalise’s hands are beginning to shake again. I reach for a couple packets of crackers from the center of the table, tear one open, and slide it in front of her. She spares me a glance I can’t fully interpret, but immediately she begins nibbling.
Eventually, Maddie puts the phone away, sitting back and curling into her husband’s arms. “So, you’re done with school now, right?”
Annalise’s lips twist. “Finally.”
Maddie nods. “That was so wrong. I’m still furious with your professor.”
“I know, but what can you do, right?”
“Did you walk?”
As in the graduation ceremony?
Annalise shrugs. “I didn’t see the point by then. Plus, I mixed up the dates, and so when Mom and Dad rescheduled their trip, they set it for the week of summer graduation. They were upset, but I told them not to change their plans because of me. Again.”
