"Nate's gone … and now there's nothing to drink?" I covered my face. "This is a disaster."
"Mandy, listen to me. Nate went to help. He's grabbing a couple kegs from Arrogance." Bryce sucked in a breath. "Ohh, you thought I meant … that he left you."
No wonder Lindsey was always pissed at him. I slapped his arm.
"When's he coming back?"
"Hopefully soon. We have to serve dinner."
I groaned. Suddenly when I had to talk to him, Nate wasn't around. This wasn't fair, especially since I couldn't drink whatever he'd bring to the party.
We lined up in the church, arranged by couple. Originally, Lindsey demanded each of us make up our own dance when we were announced. However, I was a klutz, and Rick was a cardiologist who lost the ability to dance in lieu of conducting surgeries. He twirled me instead. Safe and easy.
We sat as the DJ announced the newlyweds, but I stared only at Nate's vacant seat. My heart pounded. I had no idea what I'd say to him when I finally had the chance to face him, but I couldn't hide how I felt anymore. I spent nearly three months denying my feelings to everyone, including myself. It did nothing but cause problems.
If I wanted a relationship with Nate … that meant confronting every mistake, every insecurity, and every fear head on.
It took a pregnancy for me to learn that lesson, but it was going to stick.
I wanted Nate, and nothing was going to stop me from getting him.
Except a lack of booze.
The DJ promised that the alcohol was on its way, and the caterers did their best with lemonade and water. I sucked on my ginger ale and chewed the straw as I waited for him to return.
At least the reception looked amazing. A field of tables with white tablecloths lined the party, and we had enough room for a big dancing area. As an additional perk, the church had a small playground to entertain the kids running amuck.
Everyone sat to watch Lindsey and Bryce's first dance-not the crazy Dirty Dancing routine she planned, but, to my surprise, Bryce's favorite song. The held each other close and swayed to the music.
I had no doubt that it would be my sister's favorite part of her special day.
It was the first time I was envious of Lindsey.
Dinner was served before Nate returned. I picked over the vegetarian meal, actually enjoying the polenta and mushrooms. I wasn't hungry though. I bit my lip until it was raw and shredded my napkin under the table.
I popped out of my seat the instant I saw the glint of sunlight strike the metal kegs. Nate carried in more alcohol than we could possibly serve, and he earned a rancorous applause. He took a bow and laughed, but he searched only for me.
This was it.
I had to confront him. He had to know how I felt.
I slipped away from the table.
Then someone handed Lindsey a microphone. She grabbed my wrist before I escaped.
"Everyone … " My sister pouted until she had everyone's undivided attention. "I want to thank you all for coming on this special day."
The guests applauded. A few people tapped their glasses with their spoons, and Lindsey grabbed Bryce by the collar to haul him in for a kiss. It earned another round of cheers.
"I know traditionally everyone is supposed to toast me … "
Reflexively, the bridesmaids and I clamored over the table to find anything to raise in her honor. Carmen spilled her water, grabbed a candle, and set the tablecloth on fire. I lifted both my drink and Rick's, which, coincidentally, helped to put out the flames.
Lindsey took the drink from Bryce's hand and continued.
"But I'd like to make my own toast," she said. "There is one person I want to thank more than anyone in this world. The one who stood by me. Indulged my every request. Told me when I was being unreasonable but still tried to please me. The one who put me first before anything else."
Bryce grinned, but Lindsey turned to me.
"My sister is the greatest friend anyone could have. Thank you, Mandy. None of this could have happened without you."
Well, I couldn't run away now.
I hugged my sister. Lindsey relished the applause, but she pulled back and crinkled her nose.
"Now hurry up with your toast. You have to help me go to the bathroom."
Oh, great.
Lindsey and Bryce held hands as I delivered a much abbreviated speech, wishing Lindsey a lifetime of happiness and Bryce all the luck in the world. Rick stood, keeping his short.
"To the newlyweds-we've been friends our whole lives, and nothing makes me happier than seeing everyone together. I wish us all the best in our new relationships. We are very fortunate that our group is so strong, passionate, and above all else, protective … even to a fault."
Rick touched his cheek. Bryce laughed and earned a smack from Lindsey.
"But that just means we love each other as friends, sisters, brothers, and, finally, couples. Let's never forget that."
Glasses clinked, and Rick pulled me into a warm hug. I peeked over his shoulder. Nate waited at the bar, arms crossed. He had helped to tap the keg and serve the initial drinks, but now he was free.
And so was I.
This was really it.
I made it two steps before Lindsey dragged me to the bathroom.
Goddamn it. This wasn't happening. Why couldn't I get two seconds alone with the father of my unborn child?
Lindsey stuffed herself in the bathroom, walking sideways to fit her dress through the door. I held out the precut garbage bag, hoping the trick we found on Pinterest would work.
All she had to do was step inside and peel the garbage bag up to gather the layers of the dress. Then she could do her deed quickly and effectively.
The guests might not have had alcohol yet, but my sister sure had.
Lindsey stumbled and pierced the plastic with her heel. She ripped the bag over her waist. I groaned, but she shredded it above her head with a roar.
"Mandy! I gotta pee!"
Flashbacks of the bachelorette party blinked into my mind like images of ‘Nam. This was exactly what motherhood was going to be like … except I probably shouldn't trap my kid inside a plastic bag.
"Hold on, I have to find another-"
"No! I have to go now!"
Oh lord. This was one of those moments that would redefine our relationship.
Lindsey didn't have to beg. Hopefully she'd drink enough tonight that she wouldn't remember it in the morning.
We both struggled into the stall, and Lindsey pranced while I gathered the folds of her dress. I looked away and let her grab a little too high on the back of my leg to steady herself. The door couldn't close, and my sister's giggling fit wouldn't make this go any quicker or neater.
"We're never talking about this again," I said.
Lindsey patted my ass. "Deal. Did you find Nate yet?"
Oh lord, this so wasn't the time.
"Why? You think he'd do a better job at helping you pee than I am?"
"Ha, ha, very funny." Lindsey wobbled, but she hadn't fallen yet. I gathered more of her dress to keep her steady. "You know what your problem is?"
"That I'm sharing a bathroom stall with you?"
"Well, that's a big one."
She finished and cleared her throat. Apparently her new wedding ring was too heavy to reach for the toilet paper herself. I grappled with the dispenser and imagined this would be good, billable time for the therapist who'd make a fortune off of my family.
I so didn't sign up for a tinkle tantrum when I agreed to be her Maid of Honor.
Lindsey did her best. She looked at me for help.
"No way," I said.
She grumbled. "Can't count on you for anything."
She eventually worked it out and flushed. We popped out of the stall, and I helped to rearrange her dress. She admired her ring while I ensured she was decent to return to the party.
"Mandy … " My sister washed her hands and watched me in the mirror. "I know you think that love is something mysterious and destined by fate. Well, it isn't. You and Nate found each other. It's as simple as that. Now you have the choice-take him or leave him. And I really hope you take him."
Easy for her to say. She hooked her prince in high school.
"Is there ever a sign that you're making the right decision?" I asked.
"You want a sign?" Lindsey grabbed her bouquet and tossed it at me. I caught it with a gasp. "There's a pretty big one."
"Ominous," I said.
"Is it really?"
No.
It wasn't.
Lindsey marched me out of the bathroom and pointed me toward Nate.
"I think it's time you two talked … " She squeezed my shoulders. "And stop hiding behind the wedding and the family. You deserve to be happy too, rat face."
"Thanks, bubble butt."
The dinner had finished, and the DJ began his first set. The crowds moved from the taco bar and cookie table and danced in the grass.
I stared only at one man. He approached and took my hand.
"It's time," Nate said.
"I know." I glanced over the party. "Where?"
"Follow me."
The fellowship hall was jammed with people. The dancing area crowded with Mom, Dad, the Washingtons, and everyone else in their generation getting down to the best hits of the 1970s. Our table giggled as the first round of beer went down in a chugging contest. Rick served a second to the groomsmen.