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“Fuck tradition, and fuck Claire.”
Paige chuckled. “Do you remember when David had to lift it for our first kiss, and he was literally fighting with the damn thing to get it out of the way? Jesus, what a mess that was.”
Jules then began working on Paige’s make-up, taking her time to make it flawless. As Jules applied a deep berry-colored lipstick, she told Paige, “This stuff is practically bomb-proof, so you won’t have to worry about it smudging or coming off during the first kiss.”
“It’s not like David’s going to make-out with me in front of family and friends in a church.” The words came out somewhat awkwardly since Paige was being careful not to move her lips.
“We’ll see,” Jules murmured, her attention now on checking Paige’s make-up from all angles, which seemed to pass inspection. “You look beautiful. And I’m not saying that because I’ve done all the work. I really mean it.”
“Thanks.”
“You still look a little nervous, though.”
“I am.”
“Are you worried you’re going to trip walking down the aisle in front of everyone?”
“Everyone? You mean the twenty people that got invited? And no, I’m not worried about that … or at least I wasn’t. But now, I kind of am.”
“Don’t be. Are you worried about forgetting your vows?”
Paige and David had decided to write their own vows this time around. “Nope. I’ve been practicing them every day. I know them by heart.”
“Well, maybe you’re worried he’ll forget his? God, that would be embarrassing.”
“You know, I’m starting to get the feeling that I should’ve asked someone else to be my maid of honor.”
“Wrong. It’ll always be my job, no matter how many times you get married.” Jules gave her a hug, and to Paige’s surprise, when Jules pulled back, her eyes were shiny. “Speaking of which, it’s time to get you married to your ex-husband.”
As they stood there, waiting for the musical cue, Paige peeked and looked at all the people in the pews. To the right were a few people from David’s extended family that she recognized, as well as Nate. Lauren, Marilyn, and a few other former neighbors were also in attendance, and to Paige’s delight, Andrea and several waitstaff had come—all of whom were dressed in their banquet uniforms of black pants and white shirts, since they had to work a function right after the wedding ceremony.
Her boss, Linda, like Claire, had not been invited.
Pointing to the left side of the aisle, where Dolly was sitting with at least thirty people Paige didn’t recognize, she whispered, “Who are all those people with Dolly?”
“She wanted to invite a few friends from her bingo hall, so I told her that was fine. But it looks like she invited a lot more than just ‘a few’,” Jules answered.
At Jules’s cue, she started down the aisle, looking radiant in her silver sheath dress, her burnished copper hair up in a bun. To Paige’s amusement, several of the elderly men in Dolly’s bingo group came close to giving themselves whiplash, as they watched Jules make her way to the front of the church.
When her own cue came, Paige gripped her small bouquet of calla lilies and slowly started walking. She waited until she was halfway down the aisle to finally look toward the altar where David was waiting with Evan and Jacob because she wanted to put off crying until the last second. When she finally did look and see David for the first time, she actually stopped in her tracks. He was unbelievably handsome in his tailored, dark sapphire-blue slacks, matching vest, white button-down shirt, and blue and silver striped tie. Then, as she took in his shorter hair and clean-shaven face, she began walking again, this time faster, uncaring of keeping pace with the music.
Up close, he looked even better. “You shaved.”
He nodded. “You said you missed my cleft.”
Paige shifted her flowers to one hand so she could touch the small indentation with a finger. “Thank you,” she said, then gave him a quick kiss, making some of the guests laugh, as well as the minister.
Slightly embarrassed, she turned away from David, only to get a saucy wink from Evan as he stood a little to the side, in his spot as best man. “Looking good, Cat Lady,” he drawled.
Shaking her head at the ridiculous nickname that refused to die, as well as the compliment, she glanced down at Jacob, who had agreed to be the ring bearer and was adorably dressed exactly like David and Evan. She gave Jacob a smile, which he returned, along with a sweet little wave.
The minister began talking, but David barely heard the man as he spoke about the many wonders of love and commitment, because David’s focus was on admiring Paige in her wedding dress. The one she’d worn for their first wedding had been heavily influenced by Claire and her love of lace, but this one was all Paige.
It was ivory-colored, simple, and elegant, with cap sleeves situated slightly off shoulder and a fitted bodice and waist. The bell skirt fell to just below her knees and was covered with a thin overlay of sheer tulle fabric. She’d completed the look with a pair of ivory, three-inch heels, with ankle straps sporting whimsical little bows, which he couldn’t help but imagine her walking around naked in later.
The minister interrupted David’s mini fantasy by announcing to the guests that the bride and groom were now going to recite their own wedding vows. Turning to Paige, he smiled and said, “Paige, why don’t you go first?”
She smiled back, then shifted so she was facing David. Conscious of every guest watching and waiting, Paige took a deep breath. “David, I …”
