Outside the Lines

“Why would he—oh, don’t go there, Felicity.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

She presses a smile and shakes her head. “I’m going to get everything ready for tomorrow. Do you want me to pack you snacks?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Do you have to ask?”

“That’s my girl. There is chicken salad in the fridge. Eat something before we leave. We’re going to the venue after the rehearsal so di

I roll my eyes. “What’s the point of hiring a pla

Mom purses her lips. “It’s her day. Just go with it and then you won’t have to see her until Thanksgiving.”

“Fine.” I won’t go into why it’s not just Danielle’s day, but Jake’s too. I finish my episode of Supernatural, eat, then go upstairs to do my hair and change. I’m ready before Mom, and join my dad on the couch.

“You don’t seem like yourself, kiddo,” he says, even though he’s only seen me in passing since I got here.

I force a smile. “Just tired, that’s all.”

Dad nods, not convinced. I turn back to the show he’s watching. As much as I’d like to think I could totally survive the zombie apocalypse, I know I wouldn’t last two days on Naked and Afraid. I shudder at the thought of bugs in my coochie.

Mom’s ru

Though Danielle isn’t originally from Mistwood, the small, beach community is picture perfect for her wedding. Any wedding, really. I’ve driven past this old place of worship many times but haven’t been inside. It’s white with a tall steeple that has a bell tower and flowering bushes around the church front.

It looks like something straight out of a Lifetime Movie Cha

And I’m so pissed at myself for hurting Ben. For throwing away my chance at maybe—just maybe—being a wife someday. Another deep breath. Hold it. Let it out slow. Okay. I’m feeling a bit better.

Danielle is sitting on a stool near the altar, with her bridesmaids gathered around her. I would have been totally fine not being one. I’m only included because I’m Jake’s sister, not because Danielle and I have any sort of friendship going.

Zoey turns and gives me the side eye. Great. I’d nearly forgotten about her. I cha

Ten awkward minutes tick by as we wait for the last to arrive, then start the rehearsal. It’s a standard church ceremony: we walk in, take our places at the altar, wait for the bride … blah, blah, blah … and then we get to sit for the church part of the wedding. Danielle is already crying as she walks down the aisle, carrying a bouquet of ribbons and bows. Then I see the way Jake is looking at her and, fuck, I’m a goner too. I hold in my tears, crying on the inside like a wi

We run through the procession five times. Five. Anyone who’s seen a wedding movie knows how to do this. Even the priest looks bored when Danielle wants to go over it one more time.

Finally, we’re done practicing the lineup. My stomach grumbles and I think we’re going to go to the venue but nope, the photographer is here to take pictures. Is that a thing now? I’m glad I did my hair and makeup.

Forty-five minutes later, we run through the parking lot, dodging raindrops, and load into the cars. The venue is about half an hour away, and the rain slows things a bit. The hall is rather new, having opened two years ago, and is gorgeous.

I stop when I go through the entrance, stepping into a two-story foyer. The ballroom is directly ahead of us, and the large, double doors are closed tight with a sign on the door telling staff not to enter. A curved staircase sweeps around, the balcony ru

The wedding pla

The lighting is low and everything is set perfectly. Okay, yeah … this is pretty fucking impressive. My mind wanders to how much each large centerpiece costs as I admire the satin bows tied to each chair. This looks like something out of a magazine, and I start to get a little bit more excited for tomorrow.

There is an open bar, after all.

Danielle goes through things with the pla

It’s raining even harder when we leave the venue and head to the restaurant. Mom is sure the sky will get the rain “out of its system” by tomorrow, but when Dad pulls up the radar, it doesn’t look like Mother Nature agrees.

I’m quiet throughout di

Mom goes to bed early when we get home. Jake, who’s spending his last single night away from Danielle, stays up for a bit with Dad and me, watching TV and trying to relax. Two hours later, he gets up and says he’s going to bed.

“You should too, kiddo,” Dad says and pushes himself out of the recliner.

“I’m not tired yet,” I say, knowing I won’t be able to sleep.

Dad waits until Jake goes upstairs to continue. “You’ve been saying you’re tired all day and now you’re not. What’s wrong, Felicity? You’re not your normal self.”

I sigh. “I’m fine, Dad. I will be, I mean.”

“Women don’t use the ‘fine’ word and ever mean it.” He sits next to me on the couch. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head. “I got into a stupid fight with Ben, said things I don’t mean, and probably ruined everything.”

“You, say things out of anger? No way.” Dad gives me a smile. “Did you apologize?”

“I did, but not right away. And that makes it worse, I know.” I let out a breath. “But it’s fine. I’m sad, I admit that. I really really liked him, but I’ll get over it. I promise.”

“You know your mother and I met in college.”

“I do.”

“But I don’t think I ever told you or your brother about our first date. I took your mother to a frat party. I was so nervous I got drunk and then puked in her car on the way home. I was so embarrassed I never called her back, never asked her out for a second date. Then she called me.”

“To ask you out again?”

Dad chuckles. “No, to make me pay the cleaning bill for her car. But when I saw her again, I thought I’d give it one more shot and ask her out. She turned me down right then and there, but when I got home, there was a message on my machine from her. I took her out that weekend and the rest is history. My point is, people forgive mistakes. If Ben isn’t willing to forgive you for something as small as a ‘stupid argument’ then he’s not the right man for you.”