The bridal party leads the way for Lindsey down the steps to the ceremony. We double check making sure no one is lingering in the foyer with Lindsey hiding by the staircase so no one can see her through the windows.
The music starts and the groomsmen walk up lining the door waiting for their color-coordinated bridesmaid. Lindsey’s cousin steps up to Trent matching his orange vest and a small blond that is Lindsey’s high school friend slides along Gabe’s side in yellow sliding her arm through his I see him smile down at her in turn my face frowns. Finally walking to the second from the back of the line I see my match and to say I am disappointed is an understatement.
“Man do I owe Jack. May I escort you Ms. Jennings?” Shawn Edwards offers me his arm.
“What did I do to my brother to deserve this?” I joke. Lindsey and Jack matched me with the right person. Conversation wouldn’t be an issue with Shawn and it wouldn’t cause any drama.
“You must have done something really awesome.” Shawn winks at me. The entire bridal party stares at us informing us we need to stop talking. I’m not immune to the fact Trent and Gabe faces stayed turned my way longer than the others.
“Seriously, I just don’t get it.” Caroline sneers behind us. Since she is the maid of honor she is walking down the aisle herself.
“What?” Shawn turns to her seriously asking.
“What is so fucking great about her?” She nods her head my way.
Shawn looks over at me shocked that she would say that and then I remember why I secretly love him. “Because she’s fucking awesome as hell and has a sweet little body to boot.” He turns around winking at me from the corner of his eye. My smile is automatic back to him as my hero from the evil red head.
Soon all the couples start their march down the aisle and it’s mine and Shawn’s turn. “Let’s do this.” Shawn squeezes my hand through this arm with his free hand and we both look at each other nodding our heads.
I walk down the aisle seeing friends and family to the right of Shawn. I return their smiles then glance up at Jack. His lips are spread open wide from side to side. I don’t know if I have ever seen him this happy. He winks at me with a smirk across his lips. As though my eyes deceive me they land on Trent who is also smiling over to me and then they drift to Gabe who holds a blank stare at me. His eyes are distant and remote. Although they are staring in my direction there are no feelings being portrayed. I can’t stop myself from looking at him as I make my way to the other bridesmaids but his eyes leave mine as Caroline saunters down the aisle.
The ceremony is beautiful going off without a hitch. When the pastor announces Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Jennings everyone claps standing up applauding the happily married couple. I link my arm with Shawn’s descending from the church. We stand in the receiving line while the guests file out. My family members hug me telling me how beautiful I look and they can’t wait to catch up with me at the reception. My smile is a reflex filled with no real emotion. I have less than 24 hours before I am back in New York far away from Belcrest and the Basso brothers.
“Honey, you look stunning.” Ian wraps his arms around me pulling me close. “Try to enjoy yourself. Your fake smile isn’t fooling me.” He whispers in my ear.
Before I can respond he is already onto Shawn shaking his hand.
The receiving line ends, we do a fake exit while everyone throws birdseed from fake roses at Jack and Lindsey with them running to the limo to drive them around the block. Everyone files out except for immediate family and the wedding party.
Mackenna and Bryan are setting up for the formal church shots so I make my way in sitting in a pew by them. They are bickering back and forth mostly regarding Kenna doing too much and Bryan should be lifting the equipment. So, I remain silent sulking in my own love problems.
Finally Jack and Lindsey come back from their faux departure. Mackenna hustles everyone inside demanding us in certain positions pointing her finger at some and snapping her fingers at others. Some of the people roll their eyes at her but she gets us done and out of the church before the time limit.
“Little Ross sure can dictate.” Shawn comes up to me as I exit the church.
“Yeah, she’s always had that bossy side.”
“I have seen it firsthand. My little brother never had a shot. He follows her around like a damn puppy dog.” He shakes his head back and forth.
“She is pregnant.” I excuse her.
“I’m not saying it’s bad, I’m just saying I couldn’t handle it.” He holds up his hands in defense.
The wedding party files in the limos and I am upset and relieved at the same time when I see Gabe and Trent hop in the other one. Trent is saying something to Gabe and Gabe is shaking his head up and down in agreement and then they get into the other one. It could have been my imagination but Shawn looks my way at the exact moment and his eyes seem sorrowful.
Two glasses of champagne later we pull up to the reception hall. The trip wasn’t that bad, Shawn had the limo laughing for the entire trip finally distracting my mind from Gabe. Shawn puts his hand out for mine helping me out of the limo. I see Gabe and Trent doing to the same for their partners from the limo ahead of ours. I cringe seeing Gabe walking with that woman. I wish it were me. Twenty-three hours I tell myself.
Chapter 27 – Present Day Reception
During the cocktail hour, I stay close to Ian when Shawn isn’t around. I had to thank Shawn; he is trying his best to keep my spirits lifted. If my heart didn’t belong to someone else, he would make a great partner. Ian keeps leaving me talking to Trent and Gabe. He eventually releases Bryan from Kenna’s assistant job before she kills him, making me solely by myself.
Trent smiles over at me a few times but he is enjoying the time with his family and friends. Gabe however, never glances towards me standing along with Trent not joining in on the conversations much.
When the dinner bells rings the guest file into the large room. It is decorated in white tablecloths with white napkins. Each table has a rainbow of roses in the center of each table with small votive candles around the vase. Every table has a different color sash tied to the chairs going along with her rainbow wedding theme. The little tulle packages are placed in front of each guest’s seat.
I walk along the head table trying to find where I am seated. I see instead of girls on one side, boys on the other they have it according to couples. Shawn and I are seated next to each other but a nervous feeling flows through me when I see Gabe’s name next to mine. Something must have slipped through Lindsey’s careful planning to put me next to him for the entire meal.
Taking my seat I see Shawn step up to the platform making a beeline for me. He files into the seat next to me wrapping his arm around the back of my chair. The rest of the wedding party joins the table but the seat to my left remains empty. Just as I think he must have already noticed the arrangements and he isn’t going to show I see him walking across the room. I haven’t seen him smile once today except in the pictures. His shoulders are slumped over and he stares at the ground walking towards us. He finally emerges next to me and I hear him sigh before he pulls his chair out taking a seat. He glances down at Trent who is staring at us and then puts his head back down. He remains silent saying nothing to me.
The speeches are made with roars of applause. As much as I hate Caroline her speech brought tears to my eyes. Doug did a fantastic job too, reliving stories from him and Jack as young kids. When the soup arrives, I can’t take the silence anymore.
“Gabe.” I whisper to him.
He turns his head my way with no expression.
“Can we talk?” I ask.
“There is nothing to say Maddy. You got what you wanted, Trent and I are ok again.” He put his spoon down next to the untouched bowl of soup.