“Yes.”
“Ouch.” Jude pressed his free hand to his chest. “Way to not even hesitate.”
“Luke and I don’t have secrets. Well … at least by the end of this weekend we won’t have any secrets. But you…” she jabbed her finger into his side “…you’re not telling me something. I know it. I feel it. It’s eating you up inside. Why won’t you tell me?”
“I got a tattoo on my penis and it’s infected. I fear it’s going to fall off. Hopefully not during the wedding.”
She giggled. “Shut up.”
He smiled.
“What did you get tattooed on your penis?”
“Open wide.”
Jessica rolled to her side, burying her face in his neck. “Oh my God … I can’t breathe.” Her body shook with laughter.
“Go.” He gave her a playful shove. “Go shower. Some Vanessa person is waiting in the living room.”
Jessica bolted up. “Vanessa is here? Why didn’t you tell me? Shit! She’s doing my hair and makeup.” She ran into the bathroom. “I can’t believe we were talking about your little wiener while Vanessa was waiting on me.”
“I can assure you Vanessa doesn’t think it’s little.”
Jessica gasped, peeking around the corner. “You did not fuck my stylist. Did you?”
“Shut up and shower.”
She threw off her robe and stopped at the shower door. Another pink sticky note.
I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.
Jessica mouthed the words I’m getting married today and did a silent, naked dance before hopping in the shower.
*
“Cold feet?” Jude asked as they pulled into the church parking lot.
“Hot vagina. Let me out. Park the car and keep your dick in your pants the rest of the day.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa … just until after the ceremony. It’s tradition for the single groomsmen to have sex with the single bridesmaids in a dark corner at the reception.”
He stopped the car along the sidewalk near the backdoor of the church.
Jessica pointed a stiff finger at him. “My bridesmaids are Kelly and Luke’s sisters. Dick. In. Pants.”
Their mom opened Jessica’s door. “There’s my baby girl. Your dress is inside and Luke is locked in a room on the opposite side of the church until he has permission to come out. The coast is clear.”
“Hey …” Jude grabbed Jessica’s hand before she got out. “I love you … but more than that … I’m happy for you.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Fuck you.” She tried to laugh to keep from crying. “I just had my makeup done.”
Jude’s smile was soft and heartbreakingly sincere. Jessica got out but ducked her head back into the car before closing the door.
“I love you too.”
“Bummer, sweetie, it looks like rain,” Sunny said as she ushered Jessica into the back of the church.
“I don’t care. I’m marrying Luke today.”
“Well, we have thirty minutes to get you dressed and ready to walk down the aisle. I expected you two to be here earlier.”
“If you wanted me to the church on time then you shouldn’t have put Jude in charge of getting me here.”
“Your dad’s idea, not mine.”
Her mom opened the door to a large room with a few folding chairs and a full-length mirror that someone must have brought in there for the day.
“Hi!” Jessica squealed as Kelly, Lara, and Felicity saw her.
“Get in here, take off your clothes. You’re late.” Kelly shook her head as she unzipped Jessica’s dress bag.
“Where’s Lake?”
“Not here yet.” Felicity rolled her eyes. “She wanted to ride with Ben instead of coming with us. Those two are inseparable. I tried calling her cell phone, but she didn’t answer. It’s probably shoved into her purse, which is probably shoved into the backseat or trunk of Ben’s car.”
“Oh my gosh!” Lara laughed, staring at the back of Jessica’s panties as she stepped into her wedding gown.
Jessica looked over her shoulder and winked. “You like?”
“Luke’s going to die.”
Her light pink and white argyle panties read: Property of Dr. Jones.
Sunny zipped and buttoned the back of Jessica’s dress. “I love that you wore your hair down.”
“I always have it in a ponytail. Luke likes it down.”
“Step.” Kelly set Jessica’s heels on the floor and held up the front of her dress so she could step into them.
“How do I look?”
Nobody answered. They just stared with loving smiles as Sunny pinned Jessica’s hair-clip veil onto her. The soft tulle flowed down her back.
Jessica nodded slowly while looking in the mirror. “I’m getting married today.”
The door behind them opened.
“Felicity …”
Everyone turned.
Tom stood in the doorway. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone but Felicity. The grave look on his face sent haunting chills down Jessica’s spine. Tom didn’t have to say anything, she just knew that with his next breath he would forever change the memories of that day.
“Lake and Ben were in a car accident. She’s been airlifted to the hospital.” His voice broke with the final word and tears filled his eyes. The strong man she’d come to love like her own father cracked.