Chapter 13
Weston
I'vebeenonedge, wanting to see Rory all day. I tried several times, but Mandy has the bridesmaids keeping me so far away I can't even catch a glance.
I barely slept last night. If it weren't for the text from Nate telling me Mandy was with her last night, I would have been pounding her door down to make sure she made it back to her room okay.
At least I’ll see her soon. We’re walking down the aisle together, so she can’t avoid me forever. Also, we’re getting pictures taken, sitting at the same table, and having one required dance together. Today I plan to make the most of my time.
I need to grovel and tell her what an idiot I am and beg for another chance. Hell, I’ll settle for the hint of another chance.
Last night I thought I was on the verge of getting her back. The tears had stopped, and she was smiling. Until stupid me went and brought up having her brother's permission. While I should have known that would set her off, I wasn't thinking like that.
Though I had thought she'd be happy I settled things with her brother but seeing it from her point of view, I now realize I handled this all wrong. Normally I'd talk to Nate about it, but that isn't an option for obvious reasons, so I sat down with Rory's dad at breakfast this morning.
He was guarded, and I don't blame him, seeing as how we are talking about his daughter. But he said he understands her point of view and understands mine and is not sure what he would have done in my shoes, which isn't very reassuring.
Actually, I just needed him to know I was going to fight for her. I may have also told him that if the right time came up, I was going to ask her to marry me. He stared me down, and that conversation is one I won't forget.
"Shouldn't you be asking for my blessing instead of telling me you plan to do it?" he asked.
"Well, asking for someone's approval is what got me in this mess, so no. I'm not asking, I'm giving you a heads up."
For a solid minute, he confronted me with his stare, and when I didn't back down, he smiled.
"Looks like you learned your lesson. For the record, you have always had my blessing. Nate might be an idiot, but there is no one I trust my little girl with more than you."
It took everything in me not to cry then, and even now, my eyes mist thinking about it.
It’s then the wedding planner comes in and gathers the groomsmen, and gets us in place as we wait on the bridesmaids to join us.
She goes over what we’re to do yet again like we weren't told twenty times at the rehearsal last night. Then the bridesmaids walk down and join us on the back patio. Their dresses are a deep wine red, which goes perfectly with a fall wedding at a vineyard.
But as they take their places, there is no sign of Rory, and I start to worry, but the wedding planner isn't concerned. Mandy isn't here yet either, so maybe there is some maid of honor things they are taking care of at the last minute.
Another glance into the lobby, and that's when I see her walking out with Mandy. Her dress is the same deep wine red, and it's one of those off-the-shoulder ones. Tight at the top but loose and flowy from the waist down. She looks drop-dead gorgeous.
They step out on the patio, and Rory's smile fades when she sees me, and my heart feels like it's being ripped from my chest. When she stands next to me, she puts enough space between us that another person could stand there.
The wedding planner goes over instructions again, and then the music starts, and the first couple starts down the aisle. We have a long way to walk. It’s down the path, over a small bridge, and to the area of the vineyard the wedding ceremony will take place. Today I'm grateful for that long walk.
When it's finally our turn, I hold my arm out to her, and she takes it but is very stiff and still puts as much distance between us as possible. Once we begin walking, I try to talk to her.
"Will you please hear me out?" I whisper even though there is no one around to hear us.
"No. Today is about Mandy, not you."
"I wasn't thinking. I thought if I smoothed things over with Nate..."
"West, for the love of God. Shut. Up."
I'm stunned speechless. Rory always has a kind word for everyone, and I have only seen her lose her temper twice in the twenty years I've known her. For her to act like this, I know I fucked up on a major scale. In the effort to not make it worse, I do as she asks and don't speak, but place my free hand over hers that’s on my arm.
It's a silent show of support, and I hope it lets her know I'm there for her. What I want her to know is I'm not going anywhere, no matter how much she tries to push me away. Even though I don't want to let go of her when we reach Nate and the minister, I do, and then my eyes stay on her.
I don't see Mandy walk up the aisle, and I don't hear the wedding vows. All I see is Rory in that sexy bridesmaid dress. The smile she has on is fake, but the tears in her eyes are real, and I want to rush to her side and hold her, tell her everything will be okay, but I know she would kill me.
When the ceremony is over, she walks up to me, and we walk down the aisle.