Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(167)
My eyes bolt open and my head darts around the room as I launch to a sitting position. Shit. I completely forgot where we were. My racing heart slows a few beats as I enjoy the sensation of Joe’s lips softly pecking my exposed shoulder. I turn my head in the direction of his face and our gazes lock instantly, sending sparks into my veins. Two seconds later, I find myself laying on top of Joe with our mouths hooked together. I groan disappointment when I unwillingly pull away. Joe laughs while his mouth strives to stay connected to mine as we come to a sitting position. My arms tighten around his neck and his around my back.
Releasing me first, he unconvincingly says, “Go.”
I don’t move to get off his lap. My fingers twist into his shirt.
Gently cupping my face, Joe repeats, “Go.”
My eyes find his. I don’t move.
With a wicked grin, he teasingly threatens, “I don’t want you to . . . but . . . .”
Nodding, I lean in for one last, long kiss before I slowly slide backward to the end of the bed. We watch each other as I gradually move to the dresser where my phone and room key wait.
Back in my room, I take a longer than usual shower to wake up and my brain starts to go over the schedule for the day. By eight-thirty, I meet everyone for breakfast in the main restaurant. The rest of the morning is spa time as all bridesmaids get waxed, eyebrows threaded, manicures, pedicures, facials and have our hair twisted up into three different styles. Maggie never made a final decision on hairstyles for herself and us. Normally, I would enjoy the spa, but my brain is distracted by the ever increasing pressure of my toast.
I’ve never given a toast. I hate talking in or to large crowds, let alone being singled out in one like Jared did at his birthday party. I don't know what to say. I know that I don’t want it to be a cliche, boring, impersonal or contrived. How do I make it from the heart when I’m not good at expressing my feelings, even to my two best friends? The very idea of getting up in front of over four hundred people makes my stomach churn.
By mid afternoon, Amelia and I are rounding up the wedding party for the official dress rehearsal that is taking place outdoors on The Pacific Lawn. The official numbers for attendees has increased over the past month with a final headcount for everyone are, including the bride and groom, at a total of four hundred and eighty-six people.
Standing next to Maggie at the alter is surreal. It’s not the big day and I’m having wedding day jitters. I feel like I need to pee and I just went before we got outside. The thought of having to walk down one side of the semi-circle staircase all by myself is daunting. To distract myself, I glance around the beautiful private, oval-shaped setting that has a trellised gazebo with rose bushes and jacaranda trees. My eyes sweep across to the groomsmen and I find Lee and Richard smiling back at me with the look guys give women when they’re interested and hoping to talk, or something else, later. I quickly look away and find Jimmy and Allen teary-eyed which makes me laugh. If they’re this emotional now, how bad will they be tomorrow? A smirk flits across my face at the thought just before my gaze hits the stunning blue eyes of Joe Covelli who is looking back at me. My smile curls just before my eyes dart to the ground and then trail up to Maggie and Henry who are intently listening to the priest. I survey across the setting behind us, to see where all of the guests will be sitting tomorrow and a lump catches in my throat. There are already a lot of chairs out in the grass, but the staff are adding more. Nausea returns.
Once we finish at the gazebo, Amelia walks us to where our precession should go after we climb up the stairs back into the hotel. She points out several locations where pictures will be taken and then leads the way to a hidden room where we will all wait to be announced for our entry into the reception that will be occurring in The Pacific Ballroom. We proceed into the ballroom where the final touches are taking place and we’re shown where to go when we are announced. I’m hoping that Joe is paying attention because I’m busy checking out the decadent, all white and crystal decor that the room is covered in. The only things missing are the red floral arrangements that are schedule to be delivered early tomorrow.
By the time we sit to eat for the rehearsal dinner, my brain has fogged over and I’m not registering anything. Food. My body needs food if I’m going to be required to function any further. After eating my salad, relaxation washes over me when I realize that I don’t need to give a toast tonight. I kick my heels off under the table to give me feet a break.
As we’re sitting around chatting, Jared sweetly massages my feet and calves as discretely as he can under the table. I pretend to listen to everyone chatting, but my brain is on overdrive trying to think about what to say tomorrow. I do try to focus on what people are talking about to see if that might help spark and idea or two. So far, nothing has helped.
Leaving the private room of the restaurant once we’re all finished, Jared, Nathan, Amy and Kim follow me back to my room and I barely notice them.
“You okay, Kitten?” Jared checks.
“Huh? . . . yeah . . . why?” I mutter.
“You don’t look like you’re here,” he informs me.
“She hasn’t looked like she’s been here since this morning,” Amy comments.
“Huh?!”
“What’s wrong?” Jared sweetly presses.
“Nothing . . . I’m sorry. Here.” I hand them each a schedule for tomorrow, the big day. “I have backups, but try not to loose these.”