clinches her body to perfection. She was crazy to think it was too tight back in Chicago. It is so stunning; I am shocked silent just basking in her beauty. She looks absolutely perfect.
Jessica’s face changes from happy to ecstatic when she admires herself for the first time all dolled up and looking like a real bride draped in white. Her mother kisses both her cheeks and gushes she is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. Jessica thanks her mom and looks to me. I give her a tiny hug and a smile. I whisper in her ear that Michael is the luckiest guy in the world. And by marrying Jessica he really is.
When Mrs. Ellis leaves the room, Jessica says, “What is going on?”
“What are you talking about?” I ask completely taken aback.
“You look miserable and it is my wedding day. So chipper up.” She orders.
“I’m fine” I lie and start to fix the fluff on her dress. I want to tell her so badly about Ben, but this is not the place, or the time, and now that it’s over, I never want to think about it ever again.
“I’ve known you your whole life. You can’t fool me.” She scolds.
“Nothing’s wrong. Look.” I plaster a forced grin on my face.
“Well whatever it is, get over it. The ceremony is in fifteen minutes.” Jessica huffs.
I know it’s unfair of me to be pouting on such a beautiful day, and at my best friend’s wedding to boot. But I can’t help but feel the way I do. I am trying my hardest to let everything go and push forward, but it is really really hard. Although, I would actually argue the whole thing is totally Jessica’s fault to begin with. If she hadn’t of suggested Ben as a suitable candidate to Stephanie in the first place, Stephanie would have never revealed their top-secret love affair. Therefore, everything would have been carrying on like normal. Ben and I would still be having great sex (even if it were nothing more to him than a secret “friends with benefits” situation), but at least I would be happy and oblivious to his lies right now!
Mrs. Ellis’s high-pitched voice startles me when she shouts for everyone to start heading down to the ceremony. She tells me to lead the way, so I yank open the door and let everyone funnel out of the villa. Jessica is the last one out and tells me to grab onto the train of her dress. So I do as we make our way down to the beach.
The sun is beaming and warming my skin. A section of the resort is closed off and I can see rows and rows of white chairs lined up under the gigantic gazebo overlooking the ocean. Michael is happily standing beside the marriage officiate, and for the first time today, seeing the look of joy on his face brings my first wave of happiness. It soon changes back to misery when I see Ben poised off of Michael’s shoulder looking ridiculously sexy. I tell myself to look away.
Just do it Megan, look away!
But it’s too late. He catches my stare and a small smile creases at the corners of his lips. I feel my knees buckle and my feet throb in these golden heels. I remind myself I will not let Ben play me for a fool, just like he does with every other woman in the state of Illinois.
When the violins kick in, I watch Michael’s parents walk down the aisle, then Jessica’s mother accompanied by her brother. Stephanie leads the bridal procession and winks at Ben, and he actually winks back! Just like the pig he is. Then Michelle follows, looking lovely with her fancy up-do. I take one quick look back at Jessica and her father, before I emerge into full view of the guests. I whisper she looks beautiful and she smiles back, motioning her hand for me to move forward. So with the deepest breath imaginable, I walk down the aisle in full view of Ben.
To keep myself distracted, I acknowledge anything but the line of ushers at the end of the gazebo. Instead I smile, passing through the guests and looking from side to side. I first see Steven who beams at me. I kick myself when I think how stupid I was for choosing Ben over him. But not anymore, Ben and I have seen our last romp and there isn’t anything he could