28. The Wedding
CHAPTER 28
THE WEDDING
A ddison and Lexi exited their Uber in front of Anderson House. Lexi had been chatting nonstop, trying to distract her, but Addison hadn’t heard a word. She was too nervous about her one chance to show Tim how much he meant to her.
“About three hours from now, you’re going to be in Tim’s arms and back together. I know it,” Lexi said confidently.
I wish I had that confidence.
“We’ll see,” Addison replied.
They followed the well-dressed guests inside the Gilded Age mansion, and Addison finally snapped out of her daze long enough to appreciate the historic architecture and design.
When they reached the ceremony location, Lexi let out a low whistle. “Wow, you didn’t tell me this was a rich folks' wedding.”
“I wasn’t expecting this either. Laura mentioned coordinating with a Washington Post Society writer for a feature. I thought she just had a cool connection, but now I think she’s one of those people expected to have a wedding feature in the paper.”
“This bodes well for the food at the reception,” Lexi said as they found their seats halfway back in the marble-tiled room.
“I need to focus,” Addison muttered.
“No, you need to chill out and enjoy your surroundings for a little bit. There’s nothing you can do now. Ah, it even smells high-class,” Lexi added, breathing in the scent of fresh flowers.
Addison tried to slow her breathing, but it wasn’t working. In a moment of desperation, she dug her fingernails into her palms to distract herself from the pain.
“Try something with me,” Lexi said quietly. “Can you find four purple things in this room? Name them for me.”
“I’m not playing I-Spy.”
“Yeah, you are.”
Fine. Find the purple.
“Purple orchid on that guest book table.”
“Good, three more.”
“The acne on the kid’s face two rows up.”
“How about something nice for the last two?” Lexi scoffed.
“You still with me?” Lexi asked.
“Yeah, sorry. Nail polish at the end of the row.”
Finally, Addison noticed that almost all the seats were filled, and the minister stood patiently at the front.
“The minister’s robe,” she said, completing Lexi’s game just as the string quartet began to play.
Addison closed her eyes and let out a slow breath, grateful for the moment of distraction. When she opened them, Jake had joined the minister at the front. He looks so handsome and happy. A tear pricked her right eye.
She turned to see Jake’s parents and grandparents, followed by Laura’s mom and a man carrying a toddler dropping rose petals.
The music swelled, and the first bridesmaid and groomsman entered. Addison braced herself as Tim and Amy, the maid of honor, appeared next. Tim looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo, his beard neatly trimmed. He looks happy. Is he happy without me? Maybe I’m the only one still suffering.
“What happened?” Lexi whispered. When Addison didn’t answer, Lexi added, “Hey, you’re white as a ghost. Are you scared?”
“Look at Tim,” Addison murmured. “He looks better than ever. Maybe he’s happy without me.”
Lexi stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “You’ve got to be kidding. He’s happy because he’s at Jake’s wedding. Do you think he’s moved on? Nobody gets over Addison Kennedy that quickly.”
I hope she’s right.
Tim still hadn’t noticed her. If I can just stay calm, I can face him.
Addison stood with everyone else as Laura made her entrance on her father’s arm. Laura was glowing, and Jake’s face was a mix of awe and joy.
“Do you think they wrote their own vows?” Lexi whispered.
“I hope not.”
“What’s the over-under on whether they’ll read the ‘love is patient, love is kind’ bit from the Bible?”
“Lexi!” Addison chided, muffling her giggles.
Her giggle was loud enough to catch Tim’s attention. He turned and looked directly at her. Addison froze.
Is he happy to see me?
Tim didn’t stop staring until Jake tapped him for the rings.
Addison’s stomach sank. What if he asks me to leave?
“Be cool,” Lexi whispered. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Be cool? Oh, great advice,” Addison whispered back sarcastically. How am I supposed to be cool when my ex, who I’m about to make a huge speech to, just stared at me like that?
Oh God, he’s still looking. What should I do?
Addison tried a tiny wave. Tim’s expression didn’t change. This is humiliating.
She thought about running, but the idea of all eyes on her kept her rooted to the spot.
Lexi placed a hand on her leg. “Stop shaking your leg. You’re making me nervous.”
You’re nervous? Try being me, Addison thought, trying to focus on anything other than Tim’s stare.
“And now, a reading from the bride’s sister, Amy,” the minister announced.
“Love is patient, love is kind?—”
In spite of herself, Addison dissolved into quiet, nervous giggles. Lexi wasn’t helping, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
Addison took out her phone and typed into the Notes app: “Hope you bet on them doing that reading.”
When she looked up, she saw Tim watching her again—this time with a slight smile.
I’ll take it. A smile is a good sign.
The ceremony ended soon after, with Laura and Jake looking radiant as they made their exit. Addison watched them leave, her heartwarming at their happiness. When she turned back, she locked eyes with Tim again as he walked past, this time with Amy on his arm. Amy gave her a wink, and Addison felt a surge of anticipation.
After the wedding party exited, a staff member guided the guests outside for the cocktail hour. I could really use a drink right now.
Addison made a beeline for the bar. “Rum and Coke, please.”
Lexi raised an eyebrow. “Hard liquor? Who are you?”
“Champagne for me,” she said to the bartender, still eyeing Addison’s drink.
Addison downed her cocktail quickly.
“Whoa, slow down. You don’t want to be drunk for your big moment.”
That might actually help.
Addison shook with nervous energy. She was on high alert for the wedding party to emerge, and she couldn’t bring herself to have a conversation. Lexi attempted to chat over and over but finally gave up.
In her furtive glances around the garden, Addison recognized several if Jake’s extended family members, most of whom gave her surprised waves. Even they know I don’t belong here, about to make a mess. She also spotted a few law school friends huddled together Jake’s boss and coworkers, and others she recognized but couldn’t place.
It felt like hours had passed since she and Tim had locked eyes as he processed out of the ballroom. What is he thinking now? I wish I had some idea of what’s going through his mind.
Somehow, Addison found herself downing another rum and Coke at the bar. Drinking was the only thing that was helping her feel better, and she figured everyone else was doing it, so why not her?
Finally, the wedding party arrived at the reception, surrounding the bride and groom. They all looked exhausted and ready for food and drink. Maybe I should calm down and let him eat before I start hoping for a miracle reconciliation. Otherwise I’ll have no choice but to through with this Hail Mary play of a speech.
The alcohol didn’t do much to calm her nerves. She kept scanning the crowd, looking for Tim, hoping he would come over. He didn’t.
If he was going to come talk to me, he would have by now. He was making his rounds, but each conversation took him farther from her.
“I can’t believe he hasn’t come over yet,” Lexi said, helping herself to more hors d’oeuvres.
“To be fair, he’s still doing wedding party stuff,” Addison said, though she wasn’t sure she believed it.
Lexi shrugged. “This place is nuts. I hope I win the lottery and find a classy guy to marry so I can have a wedding here.”
Addison had to agree. The mansion’s enclosed garden was even more spectacular than the ballroom. The golden-hour sunlight made it all look like a dream.
“No way. Addison and Lexi, the ghosts of relationships past.” No. Please don’t be him. Jake’s obnoxious frat brother, Connor, sauntered over, grinning.
“Connor,” Addison said, forcing a smile. Just keep your mouth shut.
“Jerkwad,” Lexi said.
“What are you two doing here?” He gave them an appraising look that made Addison want to shower.
“We’re friends of the bride and groom,” Lexi said flatly.
“Obviously,” Connor said with a smirk. “Addie, I’m surprised you’re here. Couldn’t find a man, so you brought Lexi instead?”
Lexi moved toward him, but Addison gently held her back. “Can we pretend to like each other for one day?”
“Only if you’ll save me a dance,” Connor said. Uh, ick...
“Frankly, I’d rather make out with Jake’s grandpa,” Addison said, rolling her eyes.
“How about you, Lex?” Lexi jumped at him again, and Connor backed off, hands up and laughing. “Okay, okay. You two be good.”
When they were free of Connor, Addison said, “You’d think he would have gotten less awful over the years.”
“You’d think,” Lexi replied.
“I never understood how Jake could be friends with him. He always treated Tim like crap, and it drove me crazy that Tim never stood up for himself.”
“That bothered me too, but I was madder at Jake for not stepping in.”
“Tim’s a big boy. It wasn’t Jake’s fight. But yeah, Tim should’ve done something.”
“Instead, the only time he fought back was by leaving me.”
Lexi frowned. “You can’t think that way. Tim needs to see you fight for him today. No one ever has, and that’s what will make the difference.”
Tim deserves that. I’m going to fight for him, no matter how embarrassing it gets.
Addison nodded. “I’ll fight until I can’t.”