The Paid Bridesmaid(78)
We stood there in anticipation as the music started and everyone followed Troy’s detailed instructions. The flower girl and the ring bearer made it down the aisle without any issues. Mary-Ellen walked down the aisle with Vance, followed by Krista and Rick. Then it was my turn. Camden waited for me and put out his arm so that I could put my hand through it.
Troy was an absolute magician. Somehow he had managed to move everything over and nothing seemed like it was out of place or missing. Flowers decorated the archway that the officiator stood under, and there were pale-pink and white flowers attached to the chairs closest to the aisle. A white runner had been staked to the ground for us to walk down. The rain outside gave everything surrounding the tent a misty, hazy quality so that it all seemed even more romantic.
The overabundance of romance made it hard to calm down my overactive imagination as Camden and I walked down the aisle together. I wanted this fantasy. This belief that love could conquer everything and that there was a happy ending waiting for me.
We separated once we reached the front and then everyone stood when Sadie entered the tent. Despite everything she’d gone through that morning, she looked absolutely radiant. I glanced at Dan, and saw that he had gotten choked up, and was trying to fight off tears at seeing his luminous bride.
To my surprise, she walked down the aisle with her stepfather and mother, but then I saw the wisdom in her making certain that they were on opposite sides of her and not able to interact. It seemed as if someone had forgotten to measure the aisle properly as her dress was hitting every row of chairs as she walked. A couple of the floral decorations tumbled down, but it somehow made the whole thing even more endearing.
When she got to the front her parents kissed her cheeks before taking their seats, separated by the aisle, and she handed me her bouquet before she took both of Dan’s hands.
“They’re totally going to make it,” Krista whispered to me, and I nodded. There was no doubt.
Now I was the one getting emotional as they said their vows to one another. Dan still seemed either nervous or overcome with emotion as he fumbled a couple of the words, like promising to love Sadie “in thickness and in health.”
Krista leaned in to say, “We’re witnesses. She never has to worry about gaining weight.”
I almost giggled, and my gaze slid over to Camden. I found that he was watching me with a knowing smile. His eyes didn’t dart away, like they would have if he’d been embarrassed that I’d caught him. It was more like he didn’t care if I knew that he was watching me, admiring me.
He was so handsome and amazing and fun that it made my breath stutter as I marveled at the fact that he liked me.
I just had to wait for Sadie to talk to him to see how all of this was going to shake out. I hoped he would give me a chance when he found out the truth.
The officiator announced that they were husband and wife and all the guests broke into applause as Dan kissed Sadie sweetly.
They made their way back down the aisle, waving to everybody as they went. Camden was there to escort me and we followed them, my heart thrilled at the idea that another happy couple had gotten married. I really did love weddings and everything they represented.
Troy was waiting for us, shooing us off to go with the photographer and videographer to do photos. Someone had found a pair of rain boots for Sadie, and there were all kinds of adorable shots of her with them on and everyone holding their black umbrellas.
That shifted into the family photos and I kept an eye on Brandy and Maybelle, hoping that everybody had the good sense to behave. So far, so good.
After an hour or so the photos were finished, and I wondered if Sadie was disappointed. They’d put double that amount of time on the schedule to do pictures, but with the wedding being pushed back and the weather, I supposed we had to make do with what we had.
Troy directed all of us into the ballroom so that Sadie and Dan would be able to make their grand entrance as Mr. and Mrs. Zielinski.
The reception had been going for a little while. Sadie had specifically requested that the food be served buffet style because she didn’t want there to be a time period where people were confined to their tables, thanks to her parents. I actually preferred being able to choose what I wanted to eat instead of being forced into something.
I started toward the food, but Camden stepped in front of me. “I seem to recall asking you to save a dance for me several nights ago.”
Trying to be nonchalant, I shrugged one shoulder. “That rain check has expired.”
He gestured toward the open ballroom doors. “It’s raining, so I think it’s still good.”
“Well, you do make a compelling argument.”
I let him lead me out to the dance floor, where there were only a few other couples dancing. The song came to an end and a slow one started up. Camden put his hands on my waist and I slipped my arms around his neck.
Initially there was a bit of distance between us, but he quickly took care of that.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” His mouth was next to the top of my ear, and his warm breath sent shivers across my skin.
“You clean up pretty well, too,” I said.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against his shoulder. I loved being close to him like this. His arms tightened around me, as if he were feeling the same way and wanted to draw me in even more.
He brought back those tingles when he asked, “So . . . have you thought more about what I said? About seeing where things go when we get back to New York?”