Valentine from a Soldier(15)

“Should we get you into your gown?” I asked Morgan, trying to get my mind back on the task at hand.

One of the other bridesmaids and I helped her slip it on, and the hairdresser that had remained hovering around provided a few final touches. I stepped into my red satin gown, which hung to the floor and clung to my curves in just the right places. As we got ready to head downstairs to the banquet hall where the wedding ceremony and reception would be held, Morgan leaned over and whispered in my ear. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing.” I knew she could tell I wasn’t my usual cheerful self, and I was grateful that she’d said anything at all since this was her big day. Plastering a smile on my face, I walked with her and the other girls to the elevator bank, and we crowded into one elevator for the ride down to the lobby. Chris was there to escort me down the aisle as the ceremony began and we made our way through the opening procession. Moments later Morgan herself was being escorted down the aisle by her father, and my smile was genuine this time as I saw how happy my best friend was.

The minister began the ceremony, and I stood beside Morgan at the altar, holding her bridal bouquet of deep red roses along with my smaller one, a mixture of red and cream flowers. Morgan looked radiant in her cream lace gown, a long veil with delicate embroidery trailing down her back. I hadn’t seen her take her eyes off of Josh since the moment she’d walked into the room, and he was beaming back at her as well. Chris stood beside the groom, happily gazing down at his little sister, and three other bridesmaids and groomsmen rounded out our bridal party. As the minister said, “You may now kiss the bride,” the room broke into applause as Josh kissed Morgan in a passionate embrace.

Chris took my arm as we followed them back down the aisle, leading the rest of the bridal party as the maid of honor and best man. My sensuous red silk gown flowed around me as I walked, revealing a peek of the matching red satin heels that I wore. The colors Morgan had chosen for the wedding were in tribute to Valentine’s Day, but I was glad that she’d let me make sure it was tastefully done. I’d seen the slight look of regret in Chris’s eyes as he gazed at me, and I felt a pang of guilt, knowing what it felt like to want something you could never have. Chris and I had been friends for years though, so surely he must have known that at this point, we were destined to be just friends.

I’d left my small purse at the back of the banquet room and wanted to retrieve it to check the messages on my phone. It was more stressful managing a wedding that you were participating in than I thought, and I was certain there was probably some crisis that needed tending to. Chris guided me out into the lobby, where Morgan and Josh were already posing for pictures in front of an enormous fountain. Instead of going over to join them though, he pulled me in the opposite direction, toward a small sitting area off to the side. “Where are we going?” I asked, confused. “We have to get our pictures taken, too. There’s going to be some of the entire bridal party.”

“That’s not for half an hour,” Chris said easily.

“You actually read the schedule I sent out?” I asked in surprise, referring to the detailed agenda I’d emailed everyone yesterday.

“Yep,” he said with a grin. “Impressed?”

“Maybe a little. But you still didn’t tell me where we’re going.”

“I think there’s someone here who wants to talk to you,” he said in a low voice, his mouth hovering close to my ear.

We rounded a corner, and standing there in front of me, wearing his dress uniform, was Ryan. My mouth dropped open and heart skipped a beat as I stared at him, taking in his short dark hair, chiseled face, and piercing blue eyes. His broad shoulders and chest filled out his uniform nicely and narrowed to a slim waist. He looked unbelievably big and strong filling up the entrance to the hallway, and I clutched onto Chris as tears filled my eyes. Ryan walked over, his eyes never leaving my face, and Chris took my hand from his arm and placed it in Ryan’s, almost as if I was the bride and he was giving me away.

My hand trembled as Ryan’s warm fingers wrapped around mine. “Can I talk to you?” Ryan asked, his deep voice sounding sexy and low.

“Okay,” I whispered, and Chris gracefully made his exit, seeing that I was okay.

I clasped my hands to my chest, somehow feeling like I needed to protect myself even though another part of me only wanted Ryan to pull me into his arms.

“I’m sorry, Sarah,” Ryan said, gazing down at me. “I should have told you everything last Friday. I just couldn’t imagine needing to because I never thought that I’d fall in love with a girl I just met. Then when I found out that you were leaving right away the next morning, I just couldn’t find the right words to explain myself. I felt like writing a letter was the only way I could get out everything I needed to tell you before you had to go. I’m in love with you, Sarah.”