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“I’ll take these down. Meet you at the car?” Jamie said, holding the flowers to her stomach.
Madeline and I nodded as Jamie left the room, and as soon as we were alone, I wrapped her in my arms.
“Hey, Phe,” she whispered.
I pulled her at arm's length and tilted my face. “Yeah?” I was half expecting her to tell me something about the dress, about the store, anything but what she actually said.
“I saw you and Clay yesterday. I need you to just—”
I shook my head, drawing her out. “Clay and I will be fine. We said we would talk—”
“After the wedding,” she said in unison with me. She shook her head and gave a breathy laugh. “I’m really sick of hearing that from you. He’s there now, you should go find him and tell him everything and listen to what he has to say because I know it’s not what—”
“Madeline.” I stopped her. “Today, right now, is about you. I’m focusing on you and only you.”
“If you decided to pull him away and talk to him now, I wouldn’t mind, even if you missed the wedding.”
I smiled and pulled her in for another hug. “I promise you, I’ll talk to him, and everything will be laid out. Everything is going to work out because. . . it has too.” I pulled away and looked down at my feet. The maroon skirt flowed against my legs, and the gold shoes matched perfectly with my earrings. “It has to because. . .”
“You love him,” Madeline whispered.
I raked my teeth on my bottom lip, not answering or finishing my thought. Madeline already knew the truth.
“Come on,” I whispered, “let’s go get you married to your best friend.”
All three men stood at the cliff, the archway behind them. The lace that was draped around the wood moved with the light wind, and Milo stood, his eyes focused on us girls walking up. When his gaze found Madeline, I could see the shaky breaths and the movement in his feet. I turned to look at her, noticing as she only saw Milo. I smiled, knowing that I had created some of that emotion, that he still had no idea that that dress was created specifically for this moment.
And he loved it.
Holly walked down the small aisle of chairs first, scattering their pink flowers all over the grass. Jamie followed, and when it was my turn, all I saw was Clay.
He stood next to Milo, his hands clasped in front of him. His tux fit perfectly with the small rose poking out of the pocket. His hair was combed back, and he had shaved. He was focused on me, his eyebrows raised, and nothing but love shone through his eyes. I took my place next to Jamie and gave him a sweet smile, my mind imagining all kinds of situations where this was our wedding, and that he would be mine forever.
I blinked, a few tears hitting my cheek as I turned to watch Madeline come closer and closer to Milo. When did I start crying? Where did these tears come from?
Madeline gave me a soft smile as she handed me her bouquet and finally took Milo’s hands. Her dress fluttered in the breeze, the sun hitting the ivory flower detail just right. I bent over and adjusted the train, and when I stood, I met Clay’s eyes. He gave me a quick wink and a sweet smile. I pursed my lips and held on to him.
It’s you. It’s you. . .
“Hi, Milo,” Maddy whispered. I let out a soft chuckle, which only let a few more tears fall.
“Hi, Maddy,” Milo responded.
I took a quick breath and used the tips of my fingers to wipe the stray tear away, rolling my neck to refocus on the ceremony. The officiant started to talk, giving a small introduction of how Milo and Madeline became Milo and Madeline. The crowd laughed a few times when the infamous kiss was mentioned when Milo flung his head back, releasing a loud groan. He pulled his attention back to Madeline and mouthed “Why?” which only caused Madeline to place her hand on her stomach and laugh.
It was them, in every sense of the word—this was perfect for them.
And all I could do was watch Clay. He would laugh at his friend and turn to whisper something to Elliot. Holly, at one point, had floated over to him and he held her hand as Milo and Madeline exchanged their vows. But even though he looked immersed in the wedding, his eyes would find mine and shine. There was no fear in his eyes. Only love.
Why the hell did you have to wait until after the wedding?
I scolded myself. If I had just let him talk yesterday, I wouldn’t be sitting here wishing the wedding would end. I wouldn’t have watched his every move as he handed Milo Madeline’s ring. I wouldn’t be crying, just thinking that maybe he didn’t want me anymore. That he would choose a career again, that he would say no to New York again.
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding when the world came into focus, Milo dipping Madeline in their first kiss as man and wife. Clay was clapping, a smile spread across his face as the entire crowd stood and clapped. I shook my head, my eyes following Madeline as she laughed in Milo’s arms. I glanced down at Holly, who danced around her dad and new stepmother.
My mind was reeling, and I couldn’t stop the tears once they started. Madeline turned and gave me a hug, then reached for Jamie, pulling us into her arms, her laughter contagious. I laughed through my tears and watched as Milo took Madeline by the hand and walked with her over to the coast, where their photographer and Carter were waiting for them. The crowd began to talk and leave their seats, Jamie leaving toward the coast, Elliot close behind her, but I stayed at the archway, my feet frozen in place.
“It’s after the wedding.” Clay approached, his hands in his slacks pockets, tears in his eyes as well.
