“Okay,” he said slowly, dragging the word out. “I’ve never heard this story, but why is that something to worry about?”
“Because I’m confused as fuck about how to feel about it. She’s not just some random woman I hooked up with. Emma means something, but I’m not sure what.”
“I still don’t understand why that’s something to be worried about, unless this is about you being scared what your sister is going to say if she finds out.”
“That’s part of it. She doesn’t know that anything has ever happened between us, but I think she’d learn to live with it. Mostly, though, I’m just surprised by how fast Emma has gotten under my skin. I didn’t think I’d be getting over Anna anytime soon, but now, Emma is all I can think about. We were never serious or anything, but I’m starting to wonder why we weren’t. It’s a problem, Parker. I’m supposed to be leaving tomorrow.”
“Just take things slow with this Emma of yours today and focus on the wedding. Sure, you were planning on leaving tomorrow but you can always postpone your departure if you want to spend more time with her. I’d take it as it comes, but only after the wedding. Your sister deserves your attention today.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I sighed. “Have you heard from Reece? I’ve been wondering if he’s reached out to you in the last few days or so?”
“No, why?” I heard the worry darkening his voice all of a sudden. “What happened?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think he and Caitlin broke up. He was pretty drunk when he said it was over and that the wedding was off, but he’s been weird since he got here and now he’s accused her of having an affair. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him about it, but I don’t have a good feeling about what’s going on with him. He’s been drinking a lot and acting like a complete asshole.”
“Reece?” he asked, clearly surprised. “He never drinks too much.”
“That’s why I’m concerned about it,” I replied. “He’s not himself at the moment. Didn’t even bother with a wine glass at the rehearsal dinner. He drank straight from the bottle and then he showed up hammered to the bachelor and bachelorette party. I’m not sure how long it’s going to be until I get back to the city, but I think you guys should call and make some time to see him when he does.”
“We’ll do that,” he said. “Are you going to try to talk to him today?”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me then felt a frisson of urgency when I checked my watch. “I’ll try, but right now, I have to get ready. If I do talk to him, I’ll let you know what’s what.”
After we said our goodbyes, he hung up and I raced through a shower before getting dressed. Later on, at the venue, I stood with Scott and his groomsmen, remembering my conversation with Parker as I looked Reece over from a distance.
It was obvious that he was struggling, and not just with a hangover from the depths of hell. He kept checking the guests as they arrived, but Caitlin wasn’t here. I didn’t think she would be coming, either.
Scott and the others were laughing, but Reece stood a few feet away, his face red with the after-effects of the alcohol and his usually stoic features forlorn. With my hands in my pockets, I moved closer to him and started talking without waiting for him to tell me to fuck off.
“I got left at the altar six months ago,” I reminded him. “If anyone knows how you must be feeling right now, it’s me. You need to put the pain behind you for the day, though. Enjoy and celebrate the time with your brother and his new wife, and then tomorrow, you can go back to looking like your whole life just fell apart.”
Dabbing at the sweat of his brow with an embroidered handkerchief, he nodded. “I know, but it’s just hard, being at a wedding when I just called mine off.”
“I’m in the same boat,” I said, sighing as I glanced at him and noticed the tightness of his jaw. “This isn’t how either of us saw this time of our lives going, but our siblings have to come first today. Can you do that?”
“I can.” He plastered a smile on his face and turned to me. “See? I’m going to do just fine, but my brother isn’t if you don’t go get your sister soon. He’s sweating bullets over there.”
I looked at Scott and saw that Reece was right. Chuckling, I gave him a last nod. “You sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Eventually,” he replied honestly, then brightened the fake smile. “Go. Let’s get this show on the road. We can talk more later.”
“You got it.”
I walked around the corner behind the reception venue where I was supposed to meet Teddy. She and her entourage were just arriving. Emma looked fucking beautiful in a very light, pastel purple dress, but even as I noticed her, I knew where my attention had to be and it didn’t take any effort at all to direct it to the right place.
My sister was breathtaking in her big white dress. Her makeup was done naturally, the way I knew she preferred to look, and her dark locks had been swept away from her face and were fastened with an intricate, antique-looking comb that I recognized immediately as our mother’s.
“Theodora,” I said, my voice coming out as more of a croak as the emotion of the moment got to me. “God, sis, you look exactly like Mom in their wedding photos.”
She smiled shyly. “I chose a dress similar to hers. You like it? You’re not angry about the comb, are you? I found it in some of their old stuff and I’ve been hanging onto it for today.”
Walking up to her, I cupped her cheek in my hand and looked into her eyes. “How can I be angry about it? Why would I be? She would’ve wanted you to have it and it’s perfect. Do me favor, though, okay?”
“What?” she asked, eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at me.
“Don’t worry about me or anyone else today. Mom and Dad would’ve wanted your day to be everything you ever dreamed about, and I feel the same way. You’re the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen. You shouldn’t be looking like you’re about to burst into tears, other than happy ones, so wipe those eyes, baby sister. Let’s take a moment to remember them, and then there’s going to be nothing but joy for the rest of the day. Deal?”
“Deal,” she whispered, too close to tears to speak any louder.