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

I pace back and forth in front of the salon. Why would Christine say that? Does he regret what happened? I told him why I left the night before, and he had made no move to correct me. I move over to a shaded spot of the parking lot and sit on the curb. I'm still sitting there when everyone comes out. My mother and I ride in silence to Christine's mom's house. I carry my dress and bag and am directed to a spare bedroom to change. I manage to get my dress on all by myself. I just need someone to close the very last clasp at the top of the zipper. I reapply my deodorant before putting everything I had on before in my bag and slip on my shoes. I'm in search of someone to help with the clasp when I pass a tall mirror in the hall. My mother did a wonderful job removing any creases. The bridesmaid dresses are tea-length with a halter-styled neck and a poofy skirt.

Justine and Cindy walk out of a room further down the hall and motion for me to join them.

"That color is so good on you, Sarah," Cindy gushes. "I look so washed out."

I look at her. She is crazy. It looks great on her, and I tell her as much before following them to go see Christine in her dress. My mother, her mother, and her step-mother are helping her in the master bedroom. We oh and ah over her as soon as we see her. Her mother and my mother are both dabbing their eyes with tissue. Her dress is strapless with a full, elaborately beaded skirt and train. I can't help but think my brother is one lucky guy. Christine calls us over and gives each of us a personalized jewelry box with a matching crystal necklace and earrings as another bridesmaid gift. They match the set she is wearing and the pins in our hair. She has to be the most organized person I have ever met.

I've just had my mother attach my clasp when a knock at the front door alerts us that the limo has arrived. I help my mother put our bags in her car. The moms are all riding with her over to the church, Christine and us bridesmaids following in the limo. It is a group effort getting Christine into the limo with her full skirt. We are taken around the back of the church and told to wait while my mom gets out bouquets from the florist. Christine is radiant, happy, maybe a little nervous, but ready. We apply last minute lip gloss and giggle while we wait for my mom. I go to open the door when we hear a knock. Expecting my mom, I gasp and slam the door in his face when I see Brian.

"Who is it?" Christine asks, looking at my surprised expression.

"Brian," I blurt, and her mouth drops.

"Is everything okay?" she asks.

"I didn’t ask," I admit.

I stand next to her as she cracks the door, careful to stay behind it. "Brian? What are you doing?"

"I just wanted to see you." He's just on the other side of the door.

"That's bad luck." She moves further behind the door.

"I mean talk to you," he corrects. "Can I hold your hand?"

She smiles and slips her hand through the opening.

"Chris, I just couldn’t wait to tell you how much I love you and how you are making me the happiest man on earth by marrying me today. I just want you to know that every day for the rest of our lives, I'm going to do everything I can to make you as happy." He lifts her arm and kisses her hand.

Christine looks like she's going to cry. "You already make me so happy. I love you so much, Brian."

He kisses her hand again and tells her he'll be the guy at the alter before leaving. I can hear my mother fuss at him as he walks away. I open the door to help my mom as Christine's bridesmaids gush over how romantic my brother is. I have to hand it to him. That was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever witnessed. It takes Christine a moment to come back to earth. She has a dreamy look on her face as I hand her the bouquet. Her father comes to get us not long after to let us know everyone is seated. The son and daughter of Justine and Curtis serve as flower girl and ring bearer. Caitlin is only two so Braden, her big brother, pulls her in a small decorated wagon as she throws pale blue petals.

At the end of the aisle, Caitlin is collected by Justine's parents. Braden gets to go stand with his father. I'm the third bridesmaid to walk out, just before Justine. As I slowly make my way down the aisle, my eyes are drawn to Will. My step falters as I get a good look at him. Will looked incredible in his charcoal suit the night before, but now, in his tux, he looks devastating. When his eyes lock onto to mine, I feel my breath catch. The tuxes for the groomsmen are classically styled. His is well fit across his broad shoulders and narrows towards his waist to show off his build. Even though I'm far away, I know the blue iris at his lapel matches his eyes. I wonder if I have a similar effect on him when I see him chew on the corner of his bottom lip. I make it to the front of the church and slip into my place in line. I watch as Justine makes her way down the aisle and laughs when Braden leaves his dad to go stand next to her.

When Christine and her father approach us, I look at Brian and feel a tug in my heart as I watch his face