joined one provided by the maid of honor. The minister consecrated the two circles of gold with a simple blessing, the final seals on the bride and groom’s holy union.
As Mitch and Ann exchanged rings, my mind drifted back to the strange vision I’d had of Jason. In a flash I saw myself in Ann’s place, a thin veil separating me from Jason’s smiling lips. Shaking my head, I tried to erase the irrational image, but only succeeded in blurring it. What was wrong with me?
I’d had crushes in the past, even been in love, I thought, but nothing like this had ever happened before. It couldn’t mean anything; he was just a sexy guy in a tux. A sexy guy in a tux who couldn’t keep his eyes off me…
Stop it!
While I appreciated a good-looking man as much as the next girl, it was a guy’s wit and personality that had always attracted me. He is witty, my hormones argued. Maybe online, but the computer screen clouded a person’s true character. I didn’t even know who he was when I had the fantasy. Did that make my point or nullify it?
I rubbed my temple, wishing I could shut off my lusty inner voice. Thinking Jason would give me more than the time of day was ridiculous, especially once he connected my face to my electronic banter. Hell, he probably had a girlfriend or fiancée and wouldn’t want to explain our little jaunt through the internet gutter to her. If not—and my heart betrayed me with a flutter of hope—my jaw-dropping reaction when we “met” had to have left the impression I was a nut case. He wouldn’t want anything more to do with me.
Then why can’t he keep his eyes off you? He winked at you, for crying out loud!
I was left shaking my head as the minister concluded the ceremony.
“You may kiss your bride.”
With a grin tinged with a hint of mischief, Mitch embraced his wife. Ann melted into her new husband’s arms, drawing applause and giggles from the crowd when her lips locked with his.
Clapping enthusiastically, Jason turned his coy smile on me.
Reflexively I smiled back, remembering my earlier fantasy of sharing an equally passionate kiss with him. If only…
My cheeks warmed, and his smile grew, as if enjoying the same image. I tore my eyes away, scolding myself for indulging in such an unrealistic daydream. It had to be my childish expression that had him entertained, that’s all.
Ann and Mitch led the procession out, and Jason winked at me as he passed. On his arm, the maid of honor and Ann’s best friend, Tricia, followed his gaze and sneered. She’d make sure I didn’t clutter Jason’s time at the reception. Pointing her nose in the air, she tightened her grip on his arm, confirming my supposition. Maybe he didn’t have a girlfriend, but he definitely had a companion—whether he wanted one or not.
The parade of black and purple whisked by, and the guests filed out, row by row, behind them. Rather than stand, I turned sideways and let everyone else in my pew pass. I wasn’t ready to face Beth—or anyone else—just yet. By the time I’d collected myself enough to scoot down to the end of the pew, the church was nearly empty.
Without warning, the door the groomsmen had used earlier opened and Mitch appeared, escorting his new wife.
“We made a clean getaway,” he bellowed before wrapping his arms around Ann and gluing his face to hers.
The rest of the wedding party filed in behind them, and while they whistled and teased the bride and groom, I headed to the back as inconspicuously as I could.
Clapping loudly, the photographer attempted to organize the group. “We only have a few more pictures to take. Pay attention and we’ll get done as quickly as possible. Can someone pass the groom a handkerchief? I’m not sure that shade of lipstick suits you, Mr. McAlister.”
In the midst of the laughter, a man’s voice called, “Melissa, hang on a sec!”
I cringed, but didn’t slow.
As Mitch and Ann exchanged rings, my mind drifted back to the strange vision I’d had of Jason. In a flash I saw myself in Ann’s place, a thin veil separating me from Jason’s smiling lips. Shaking my head, I tried to erase the irrational image, but only succeeded in blurring it. What was wrong with me?
I’d had crushes in the past, even been in love, I thought, but nothing like this had ever happened before. It couldn’t mean anything; he was just a sexy guy in a tux. A sexy guy in a tux who couldn’t keep his eyes off me…
Stop it!
While I appreciated a good-looking man as much as the next girl, it was a guy’s wit and personality that had always attracted me. He is witty, my hormones argued. Maybe online, but the computer screen clouded a person’s true character. I didn’t even know who he was when I had the fantasy. Did that make my point or nullify it?
I rubbed my temple, wishing I could shut off my lusty inner voice. Thinking Jason would give me more than the time of day was ridiculous, especially once he connected my face to my electronic banter. Hell, he probably had a girlfriend or fiancée and wouldn’t want to explain our little jaunt through the internet gutter to her. If not—and my heart betrayed me with a flutter of hope—my jaw-dropping reaction when we “met” had to have left the impression I was a nut case. He wouldn’t want anything more to do with me.
Then why can’t he keep his eyes off you? He winked at you, for crying out loud!
I was left shaking my head as the minister concluded the ceremony.
“You may kiss your bride.”
With a grin tinged with a hint of mischief, Mitch embraced his wife. Ann melted into her new husband’s arms, drawing applause and giggles from the crowd when her lips locked with his.
Clapping enthusiastically, Jason turned his coy smile on me.
Reflexively I smiled back, remembering my earlier fantasy of sharing an equally passionate kiss with him. If only…
My cheeks warmed, and his smile grew, as if enjoying the same image. I tore my eyes away, scolding myself for indulging in such an unrealistic daydream. It had to be my childish expression that had him entertained, that’s all.
Ann and Mitch led the procession out, and Jason winked at me as he passed. On his arm, the maid of honor and Ann’s best friend, Tricia, followed his gaze and sneered. She’d make sure I didn’t clutter Jason’s time at the reception. Pointing her nose in the air, she tightened her grip on his arm, confirming my supposition. Maybe he didn’t have a girlfriend, but he definitely had a companion—whether he wanted one or not.
The parade of black and purple whisked by, and the guests filed out, row by row, behind them. Rather than stand, I turned sideways and let everyone else in my pew pass. I wasn’t ready to face Beth—or anyone else—just yet. By the time I’d collected myself enough to scoot down to the end of the pew, the church was nearly empty.
Without warning, the door the groomsmen had used earlier opened and Mitch appeared, escorting his new wife.
“We made a clean getaway,” he bellowed before wrapping his arms around Ann and gluing his face to hers.
The rest of the wedding party filed in behind them, and while they whistled and teased the bride and groom, I headed to the back as inconspicuously as I could.
Clapping loudly, the photographer attempted to organize the group. “We only have a few more pictures to take. Pay attention and we’ll get done as quickly as possible. Can someone pass the groom a handkerchief? I’m not sure that shade of lipstick suits you, Mr. McAlister.”
In the midst of the laughter, a man’s voice called, “Melissa, hang on a sec!”
I cringed, but didn’t slow.
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