30. Libby
“Iswear if that woman says one bad thing to you, I’m crashing that wedding,” Kesley says over the bluetooth speaker in my car.
“She can go suck lemons,” I say to Kesley.
“She already looks like she does. That’s just the natural state of her face.”
I laugh a little too loud.
“Okay, okay. I’ll call you as soon as it’s all over and let you know how it went.”
“You better. I’ll have my phone in my hand and ready to answer as soon as you call.”
“Love you, Kes.”
“Love you, Lib.”
I hang up with my best girl. I’m so grateful for her. For her parents. For the Heatwave wives and girlfriends that have taken me in as one of their own. Even if they did tease me for never wanting to be in their club.
They gifted me my own playoff jacket. It has both Fergie’s and Zane’s numbers on either shoulder. Because even if I’m with one of his teammate’s my brother will always have my support.
The boys won their conference series with last night’s game. Which means for the first time ever, they’re just a few wins away from raising up the prized Stanley cup for Houston.
Zane’s been bugging me about what jersey I need to wear for the Stanley cup finals. He doesn’t want me to mess with the good luck streak.
Michael says that they’ll win if they need to win. But that after this weekend, I better not wear another man’s jersey.
We’ll just have to see.
I see him step out from the side of the church gardens. I haven’t had the chance to see him all day until now.
His suit fits his sculpted body like a glove. And he has his hair slicked back in a loose and sexy style. He has one hand in his pocket, while the other hand runs through his hair. A smile crosses his face when he sees me step out of my corvette.
“Hey, butterfly,” he says, pulling me to him to give me a kiss as soon as I’m within reach.
“I’m beyond nervous, Michael.” I show him my hands and I’m shaking.
“I’ve got you, baby.” He kisses the top of my head and I inhale that masculine smell of his. It’s warm and tickles my senses.
“Okay,” I breathe out.
“Come on,” he says, taking my hand.
He leads me down a small path that ends at a tiny cottage.
“What’s in there?”
“The bride,” he says.
“Oh, I can’t…”
“Lillian is the easy one. She’ll be happy to see you. I can almost guarantee it.”
“How are you so sure?”
He shrugs, “She’s one of the good ones. Too good for Jonah if you ask me. Ready?”
I nod. Trusting him.
He knocks on the door and an excited voice says, “Come in.”
Michael pushes the door open and there’s Lillian in her gown. She’s getting her veil arranged around the tail of her gown and she looks stunning.
“Oh my…” she stops herself. “Libby?” She all but squeals, rushing over to me.
“Michael, you sneak,” she slaps him on the shoulder. “I had no idea you were bringing Libby as your plus one.”
She takes me in for a hug. “Hi, Lillian.”
“I’m so glad you were able to make it after all. It means a lot to me, Libby.”
I’m taken aback by her but I look at Michael who nods.
“Libby’s not just my plus one, Lil. She’s my girlfriend.” He says it so proudly that I almost melt.
Lillian squeals and bounces up and down. “Oooh, I’m so happy to hear that!”
She pulls me in for another hug and Michael lets go of my hand this time so I can hug her back.
She pushes me out to get a good look at me. “You take care of him. I know he can be kind of a weirdo, but something tells me you’re the kind of girl that gets him.”
Michael cocks his head to the side. “Really?”
“Yes, really. If you weren’t my soon-to-be hubby’s brother I wouldn’t give you the time of day.”
She smiles and I realize that I do like Lillian. Like me, she’s not a Ferguson. And like me, she’s fallen head over heels for one.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her.
“Thank you,” she beams.
“Well, we better go make our rounds,” Michael says. “Oh, before I forget. He reaches into his back pocket and produces a small envelope. “From Jonah.”
Lillian takes the small envelope and holds it to her chest lovingly. “Aww, I don’t have anything for him.”
She looks around the room and finds a small handkerchief and kisses it, folding it gently and passing it to Michael, “Just give him this, will you?”
“You got it, sis.”
“Thanks, bro.”
They both scrunch their noses.
“No, that feels weird,” Michael admits.
“We need something else. Doesn’t work,” Lillian shakes her head, agreeing with him.
I laugh through my nose. These two are funny.
“Don’t trip on your dress coming down the aisle,” Michael says over his shoulder.
“Zip up your fly,” Lillian says, just before he closes the door.
Michael and I both look down and notice his fly isn’t actually down. “That little.”
I laugh. “She’s funnier than I thought.”
“I told you. Now, you ready to face the Fergusons?”
I hold onto his arm, “It’s now or never.”
He walks me over to the area where the wedding will take place.
I see a sea of lavender and golds. And right near the entrance of the aisle are Michael’s parents.
Mrs. Ferguson sees us as soon as we’re in the vicinity. She stiffens and whispers something to his father who looks around and smiles at us when he sees us approaching.
“Libby,” Michael’s dad says cheerfully pulling me into a hug. “I’d recognize that red hair anywhere.”
Mrs. Ferguson looks me up and down, before turning to Michael. “Did you forget your corsage? She motions to his empty pocket.”
He shakes his head. “Before that, I wanted to introduce you both to my girlfriend.”
“Oh!” Mr. Ferguson exclaims. “Well would you look at that? Welcome Libby. Happy to see that you’ve made my son so happy by coming.”
“Yes,” Mrs. Ferguson adds. “He’s been over the moon, it seems lately. Michael, I need your help with something, dear. Libby, you don’t mind if I steal him away for a minute, do you?” She reaches forward and slips her arm into Michael’s.
“Not at all,” I lie with a smile.
“Good, it’ll only take a moment.”
“Darling, please show Libby to her seat. It’s the one next to mine.” She’s says that last statement like a warning. But nice enough that I’m the only one that can hear it.
“Come, Libby,” Mr. Ferguson gives me his arm. “I’ll introduce you to some of our relatives.”
Michael gives me a wink as his mother leads him away from me.
They don’t say anything to each other and I wished they would so I can listen in. Even if just for a moment.