CHAPTER ONE
Terri
My best friend was getting married in ten minutes. I was about to walk down the aisle as her maid of honor and I’d never been so nervous in my entire life. My palms were pretty much dripping water and I only hoped my dress wasn’t stained beneath my arms, because I was sure that about right now I was having massive antiperspirant failure. I had practiced walking in these shoes for two solid weeks at physical therapy. My therapists had convinced me (I actually made them pinky swear to me) that I could do this. At this moment I was quite certain that they had fed me some boldfaced lies. I knew, when I took my first few steps, that I would stumble, then my bad leg would give out, and I would go rolling instead of walking down that aisle.
Crap in a handbasket!
I looked at Tana, the wedding director, and she nodded, signaling it was my turn. My grip tightened on my bouquet of fresh cut flowers. I was surprised the damn stems weren’t crushed by now. No doubt my fingers would be green by the time the ceremony was over.
My left foot went out, followed by my right. Okay, I had this. I repeated this mantra...left, right, left, right, until I was up at the altar and taking my place next to the spot where Lexi would stand.
I smiled and I’m sure it reached my ears, because I swear I could feel my earrings tickling my cheeks. Then I forgot the promise I made to myself. I totally blanked out because I was so excited about the stupid fact that I had made it down the aisle without looking gimpy. I let my eyes wander across the altar and damn if they didn’t land directly on him.
Shiz!
He looked like the dude in the Ralph Lauren Polo ad...tall dark and alluring. Dressed in a black tux, he was perfect. Justin Middleton, brother of the groom and best man...my heartbreaking nemesis. I suppose nemesis is relatively harsh, but heartbreaker isn’t. I had dreaded this day now for months. I should be happy for Lexi...she’d been my bestie since freshman year at UVA. But I was pulling the selfish card today. I tried not to, but everything I did was useless. I pasted a smile back on my face and jerked my head to the back of the church so I could watch Lexi walk down the aisle.
Damn, that girl looked gorgeous. Her dress was really something. I’d never seen a bride where anything close to that. Originality...pure and simple. Her dress had an illusion neckline, making it appear sleeveless and off the shoulders, when it actually had sheer fabric that afforded a boat neckline. The dress was fitted and had fabric beads sewn onto it until it hit mid thigh where it was covered in layers of chiffon and stiff ribbon, giving it a totally off the charts look. And she was getting married in the church every Charlestonian would give their left hand...hell their right hand too...to get married in. St. Phillips...the church on every Charleston postcard ever made. You had to be connected to get married there. And the Middletons were certainly connected. What am I saying? They were Charleston. South of Broad...blue blooded born and bred. Lexi sure lucked out here.
And Pearce...didn’t he look yummy? Not as yummy as Justin, but girls all over South Carolina would be grieving today because one of the most eligible bachelors, not to mention one of the wealthiest, was getting hitched. Once again, Lexi totally lucked out. But if anyone deserved it, Lexi did.
Now, I sure wish the show could get a move on, because I would love for this thing to get the hell over with. I only had enough plastic smiles to last for a certain amount of time and once they ran out, I was gonna have to hit the road. I hated to be a bitch about this, but I couldn’t stand around with this happy assed face when I was cracking to pieces on the inside.
The happy couple said their vows and damn it all, I started crying. Thank God Tana gave us a list and that bag at the rehearsal last night, which included waterproof mascara and eyeliner, or I would’ve looked like Rocky raccoon, resident maid of honor and side kick to Bullwinkle. Yeah, this was gonna be fun.
Oh boy, now I got to look forward to picture time and more plastic smiles. I pulled up my bootstraps and watched as Lexi and Pearce walked down the aisle as Dr. and Mrs. Middleton. Oh good lord, they looked so happy. I really couldn’t help the true smile that formed then, because looking at them made me believe in it all...their love was nothing short of bursting from them.
I heard a throat clearing and looked up to see Justin waiting with his arm bent. I’d been so engrossed in watching the happy couple, I’d forgotten I had to walk arm in arm with him.
Well, isn’t this a crap storm?
I didn’t have time to prepare myself. When I put my hand on his arm, I felt the jolt all the way to my toes. I forced myself to look at my feet, when all I wanted to do was to fall into his eyes...his perfectly gorgeous eyes. Lexi always called Pearce, Smoky Eyes, because he had gray eyes. Well, Justin’s were gray too, but his were the color of the sea, right before a storm hit. Deep, dark bluish gray and every time I looked at them I was pulled into their depths...just like I would imagine the sea as it would call to me. Mysterious, with things unknown lurking below the surface. That was Justin. Beautiful and sometimes frightening because he made me feel things I’d never felt before.