Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

He cringes and clears his throat. "I'm not sure for a girl."

"How many people have you done it with?" This was something we never talked about before.

He chews the side of his lip. "One."

I cringe. "Jessica?"

He looks down and nods. I don't know why it bothers me, but the thought of them together kills me.

"And she wasn't a virgin?"

He shakes his head. "She dated this guy, Brice, for two years before his family moved to Maine."

I hadn't known that. "A lot?"

He shakes his head. He lets go of my hand when our food comes out. We eat quietly, and I start to feel bad for bringing it up. I just wanted to know, but now that I do, I wish I didn't. I relax when Will asks if I'd like to go for ice cream after.

Once we're in his car, he asks if I'm okay.

"I hate thinking about you and Jessica being together," I admit.

"I shouldn’t have done it. I guess I was excited I could, but I didn't love her. I know the difference now."

When he opens my door for me, I know I'm over it. Jessica doesn't matter. Will loves me, and that's all I need.

Chapter 15

Present

My mom and I are meeting Christine and the rest of the bridal party at a local salon for our hair and makeup. I'm having a hard time forgetting the look on Will's face when I told him why I left. That, more than anything else, gets me out of bed. I need to be busy, distracted. I check work emails on my phone and am relieved to see everything seems to be going smoothly. I take my shower before heading downstairs. There is no point doing anything more than getting dressed since everything else will be taken care of at the salon. I change into jeans and my bridal party t-shirt. It's a personalized pale blue one that says Mr. & Mrs., 6-20-2013 on the front in thick, white shimmery script, and then on the back it says Sarah, bridesmaid, sister of the groom in the same script. I have to give it to Christine. Not only is she crazy organized, but the t-shirts are useful and cute. Once we're at the salon, all the stylists will need to do is check the back of our shirts to know who we are.

Both my mother and father are in the kitchen when I come down. My mom is too cute in her bridal party t-shirt. No multiple outfit changes this time, I think to myself. I kiss my dad on the cheek and blow one to my mom before I go to strain my orange juice. My mom starts to get up to help, but I wave her off. I'm bummed to see we are out of muffins when I sit down at the table. My dad looks a bit guilty and looks away. I bet he ate the last one. I make do with a slice of my mother's cranberry date bread. She usually only makes it around Christmas time, but it's my uncle Chip’s favorite so she made some just for him.

When I'm done eating, I help my mom lay our dresses across her backseat before running back inside to grab a bag of extra stuff I'll need to get ready. The ladies will finish getting ready at Christine's mom's house, the guys at my parents’ house. There are three hair stylists and one makeup artist for our group. I hang out with my mom as she gets her makeup done. Christine's mom comes over to us with mimosas. We grin at each other and each take one. I'm on my third by the time I'm getting my hair done when Christine's mom offers me another one. I decline, asking for a water instead. This could be a very interesting wedding if we are all drunk before noon.

My long brown hair is curled and twisted into a complicated-looking up do with crystal tipped pins weaved throughout. I hold my breath and close my eyes as the stylist puts a ridiculous amount of hairspray on it. My brow creases as I wonder how long it will take to wash out tomorrow. I drink some water and go to sit and wait to have my makeup done. When it's my turn, I close my eyes and relax as Kim, the artist, chats and works her magic. She goes on about primer and how important it is to use as a base, but primer just makes me think of paint.

She has me open my eyes when it's time for my mascara. I blink at my reflection in the mirror. Kim is a genius. I am not sure if I have ever looked like this. She clears her throat, raising the wand in her hand to get my attention. I apologize and try not to blink as she coats my lashes. When I'm all done, I make my way to the ladies’ room before looking for my mom. She is with Christine. When she sees me, her eyes light up. Christine, whose back is to me, follows her gaze and turns around.

"Wow. Will is not going to know what hit him."

"Will?"

Christine's smile falters as she takes in my expression. "Never mind."

I move around to sit next to my mom, facing her. "Tell me."

Her eyes flick to my mom's before looking back at me. I turn to my mom, who picks up her mimosa and takes a sip in an effort to avoid mine.

"Seriously. You too?"

She stares at a poster on the wall of a model with an angled bob. "I'm not sure what you mean."

I lean back, folding my arms across my chest and look at Christine. "Tell me."

She seems to consider it for a moment before leaning forward. "Will is in love with you."

"Christine!" my mother exclaims.

"What?" She shrugs. "Sarah has to know."

They both look at me. I'm just shaking my head. "That's just not true."

"Sarah—" my mother starts, but I stand