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I go to step around him, but he accidentally steps into my way and I run straight into his muscled chest, where he grabs me by the arms to straighten me up.
"Sorry," he laughs. "I was just...you look gorgeous."
"Thank you," I say, blushing. "Look--Jake, I...I need to get to work, but we should talk later, okay?"
His smile drops. "Yeah, of course."
Now I just have to figure out what I'm going to say--and I have to stop being afraid that he'll break my heart.
I make my way across the lawn, making sure that the groom is prepared for the ceremony. He's waiting at the altar, twinkle lights all around, the lake shimmering in the moonlight. I can see one of the bridesmaids peeking out of the window from the bridal cottage, and I get the same excitement I always feel as I step through the door.
"Oh, Emily!" I say. "You're beautiful."
She really is--decked out in a sparkly white dress, a long veil down her back. Her eyes are glittering with tears of excitement, and I squeeze her hands.
"Are you ready?" I ask.
She nods. "Yes.Yes, I can't wait to marry the love of my life."
I talk the wedding party through the process to come--the order they'll walk in, what music to wait for, and what will happen after the ceremony. This is the last piece of the puzzle, then they get to live their happily ever after. Emily nods vigorously, her whole body vibrating with exhilaration.
"Alright," I say. "Let's do this."
The ceremony is beautiful, just like I envisioned it.
Everyone is draped in pink and white and grey, the decorations downright beautiful in the moonlight. The flower girl is adorable--the ringbearer absolutely dashing. The bride and groom kiss, and everyone stands and cheers...and then my job is done.
For now--until I have to pack up.
But in the interim I get to enjoy the party I planned.
I run into Emily and her new husband as I'm walking into the reception, and Emily grabs my arms.
"Sarah!" she says. "Thank you so much. The ceremony was so beautiful...and it's all because of you."
"It was your vision," I smile. "I just made it happen."
"But you did so well," she says. Then she glances at her husband before leaning in. "You still need me and the bridal party to kick that guy's ass? We'll do it."
I laugh. "No...I think we're going to figure things out."
She squeezes my hand again and winks. "Then go get him."
The reception is being held in the ballroom of the Victorian home, with a separate dance floor outside by the lake. I feel like a princess as I walk into the house in my velvet dress, my hair done up with sparkly little clips. I scan the crowd, but I don't find Jake anywhere, and my heart flutters.
What if...
...no.
He could be flirting with some other girl. I basically told him this wasn't anything serious, and he could have decided to hook up with someone else. I feel faint at the prospect of him with someone else, and I sway slightly on my feet.
Someone catches me, though, steadying me--and I look up to find it's Jake. He smiles at me cautiously, like he's not sure what I'm going to do next.
"Been lookin' all over for you," he says. "You okay?"
I nod, even though my head is starting to ache now. "I think so."
His brow furrows. "Have you had anything to eat?"
