Chapter 12.01

Jenny and I planned it so that we could return home a few days before my sister’s wedding, though we weren’t much needed in the preparations.

“I’ve never seen the little girl this happy,” Dad said at dinner the night before the wedding.

“Yes,” Amber agreed. “Alberto loves photographing her, but you look great too.”

“Thanks, though I hope she’ll be even happier next week.”

“My son?” Mom asked. “You could share your plan.”

“Pay attention to the details,” I grinned. “Relax,” I added, “I’m not going to propose. That’s not a public event for her.”

“We know—you don’t even have a ring,” Amber laughed.

The next morning, our house was a madhouse. Cathy arrived to help Amber, along with a makeup artist and a hairstylist. They all left with Mom to get ready at the reserved hotel, leaving just Dad and me behind. Before heading out, I tidied myself up—after all, I was going to be the best man.

“I’m proud of you,” Dad said, handing me the apartment keys.

“Thanks,” I replied. “I already saw it—it looks beautiful.”

“I hope she likes it too,” he said, patting my shoulder.

“She doesn’t suspect anything, does she?” I asked.

“As far as I know, no. Only Daniel knows—Mickey doesn’t,” Dad chuckled.

By the time we arrived at the venue, guests were already milling about. Jenny and her entire family were invited, as were all my friends and Brian’s parents. I greeted my friends and Brad’s excited family.

Brad’s father was a tall, slender man with brown hair streaked with gray, while his mother was of medium height, with brown hair and brown eyes. There was quite an age gap between Brad and his sister—about the same as between Amber and me. His sister had gained some weight after having two young children. She was a tall, curvy woman with short brown hair, wearing a deep blue, strappy, floor-length dress that matched my shirt. Her husband was a large, black-haired, bespectacled man with a friendly smile, dressed in a suit and shirt similar to mine. Their younger daughter had black hair, while the older one had brown hair. Both had long, beautifully brushed hair adorned with bows. They wore matching blue dresses, and their mother kept a watchful eye on their every move.

The hotel was located in the seaside part of the city. It wasn’t large—more like a spacious villa. If it had been a multi-story building, the upper floors would have had a view of the sea. Amber and Brad had spent their first weekend together here, so my sister chose this location for the wedding.

To the left of the entrance were four or five rooms, while to the right was a large open space where tables had been arranged in a comb-like pattern. Along the walls were a dessert counter and a small stage for the DJ. The dance floor was set up in front of the tables.

The dominant colors were blue and white, even in the floral arrangements. Small blue flowers filled the vases.

The ceremony was to take place at the back of the garden. Mom was already arranging the chairs so that everyone would have a clear view of the couple seated on a wooden platform by the hedge. The chairs were adorned with blue ribbons, and tiny flowers lined the aisle. Blue-and-white floral garlands decorated the platform and the steps leading up to it.

I was Amber’s best man, meaning I would be seated on the platform, right behind my sister. Our mothers would sit among the guests, facing the couple. Brad’s sister was his best woman—she was busy wiping down the little girls’ dresses after a minor mishap.

“Everything is ready,” Paul said as he approached with Susy.

“Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand and giving Susy a kiss on the cheek.

Jenny arrived, smiling. She touched her nose and disappeared into Amber’s room.

I waited. Dad eventually vanished into my sister’s room as well. The guests, following Mom’s and last year’s master of ceremonies’ cues, slowly took their seats.

The same master of ceremonies was here today as the one who directed Mrs. Julie’s wedding—a tall, thin, balding guy, roughly the same age as my sister, who I’m pretty sure wore the same suit as at the other wedding. He hasn’t become any more likable this year.

When Mom signaled that we were starting, the guests were already seated. I walked to the entrance, where Amber would make her entrance.

Becca and Brad’s nieces stood at the front, all dressed in matching blue dresses. Jenny appeared with Cathy and Sarah.