Derailed (Clayton Falls #1)(48)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Her father stood a little ways away, waiting anxiously. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. I smiled watching him. This wasn’t an easy day for him. I’m sure it’s never easy for a father to give his daughter away. My dad never got the chance to give me away. At least he’d been there for Shayna’s wedding. I forced an icy thought from my mind, determined not to let my own bitter memories interfere with Kelly’s wedding.

Instead I focused on what was right in front of me. “Me too. I’ve missed you.”

“Whoa, I’m going to start crying already.” She ran a finger under her eye, trying to make sure the few stray tears didn’t reach her makeup.

“Save that for when you’re up there with Tom.”

“You’re going to have this too one day, you know.”

“Let’s just focus on you right now.”

“All right.”

We hugged before joining Daniela.

The doors opened, signaling the beginning of the wedding. I peeked in and watched as Tom stood at the altar with his groomsmen beside him.

As the music started, Daniela walked down the aisle. I waited in the entryway until she reached the halfway point, gazing up at the tall ceilings and enjoying the sun pouring in through the windows.

Right on cue, I started my slow walk. An idle thought about how I was supposed to be walking down the aisle in a different capacity hit me, but I quickly pushed it away. Just like Adam had said, I didn’t actually want to marry him. Trying to give more significance to the date was self-serving and false.

I picked up my chin, smiled, and looked around at the beautiful stained glass windows lining the side wall. When I reached the end, I took my spot and immediately found Ben sitting in a pew on Kelly’s side of the church. I gave him a small wave, filling with emotion just seeing him there looking handsome in a navy sport coat. Any doubts I had about us were gone. Ben didn’t have to worry about me running away—there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

I held Kelly’s flowers, did a short reading, and enjoyed every moment of their beautiful and simple ceremony. I even had to fight back some tears of my own. I felt grateful to have been part of her special day, to have had the opportunity to witness Kelly live her happily ever after.

We spent what felt like an eternity taking pictures outside, and I was probably the only one who didn’t mind the heat. Gavin and I were the only members of the bridal party who weren’t actually family, so we spent some time sitting under the awning of the church waiting to be called for a few more shots.

“You look beautiful today.” Gavin smiled.

“Oh. Thanks. You look nice too.” Gavin, like Tom and Kelly’s brother Cole, wore a navy suit.

“That was a nice wedding, wasn’t it? Sometimes weddings can be long and boring, but I liked theirs.”

“I agree. It was really nice. I’m so happy for them.” I leaned against the wall of the church as standing around in heels for a few hours started to wear on me.

“Me too. Tom’s a lucky guy.” Gavin moved to stand next to me. “See, we can do this.”

“Do what?”

“Act like friends, without it being weird.”

I looked over at him. “Yeah, it’s nice.”

“Okay, no more using the word ‘nice’ today.”

I laughed. “Okay, good plan.”

We were interrupted when the photographer called us over for a big group shot. Afterward, I was excused; Gavin still had to do a few more pictures with Tom. I headed back inside.

The reception was in another room of the church, decorated with pink and green flower arrangements as well as some pictures of the ocean I had taken over the past few weeks. It was simple, but beautiful. By the time I arrived, the cocktail hour was in full swing, and I made my way over to where Ben stood with a plate of food. Without asking, I helped myself to a cracker.

“Hey, gorgeous, are we on stealing each other’s food terms already?”

I laughed. “I think we’ve been there for a while.”

“I don’t know. I take my food seriously.”

“Yeah, but you know what I get like when I’m hungry.”

“Very true.” He held his plate over to me. “Dig in.”

I picked up a strawberry. “Good selections, by the way.”

“You know I picked them with you in mind.”

I kissed him on the cheek. “So how’d I do?”

“Oh, you were fantastic. No tripping and you didn’t stumble over any words when you read.”

“Good. You know there is just so much pressure on the maid of honor.”

“Speaking of pressure, are you ready for your big speech?” Ben asked.

“Yeah, it was pretty easy to write.”

“By the way, you look beautiful.” He changed the subject, pushing back a strand of hair that had fallen out of my updo.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, here’s this.” Ben handed me the paper I had entrusted him with earlier.

Kelly and Tom made their entrance, dancing a beautiful first dance to Lonestar’s “Amazed.” I smiled. Kelly had always planned on making that her first dance song. I doubted Tom had any say in it. When they walked over to their sweethearts’ table, I knew it was time to make my speech.

I stood up, accepting the microphone from the DJ, took a deep breath, and faced the crowd.

“I’ve been lucky enough to know Kelly my whole life, or at least since age three when we started nursery school. As legend, or at least Mom legend goes, we became best friends when we arrived at school wearing the same dress. Even back then we both had good taste.” I paused for some light laugher.

“Speaking of good taste, Kelly has had the same taste in men for a while. I actually have proof.” Kelly looked at me with a surprised expression. I unfolded the faded notebook paper Ben had carried for me all day.

I held up the paper, knowing that no one else could actually see it, and started to read.

Predictions: January 1, 2000

Kelly will marry Tom Farell and have four kids, two boys and two girls. She will teach elementary school and will be neighbors with Molly. Molly will become a famous photographer, and hopefully find someone who shares her love for art, pasta, and the open water.”

“No way! You don’t have that!” Kelly interrupted to examine the evidence. “Oh my god. I remember writing that. Where did you find it?”

“On the floor of my closet.”

“Wow, oh my god.” Kelly started crying what I assumed were happy tears as Tom came to walk her back to her seat.