Theo stares straight ahead, his expression so firm, it could be made of stone, and something tells me he’s angry.
At what? Did Jess try to speak to him again? Did he have a confrontation with Craig? God, I hope not. He doesn’t need this additional stress on today of all days.
I keep my eyes on him, willing him to look at me, but he doesn’t. Not once, which I find disappointing. We’d been so flirty over text earlier, I figured he’d send me a smoldering look and offer up a sexy wink. But I get none of that.
Not even a quick smile aimed in my direction.
Once the bride makes her appearance—and yes, she is absolutely stunning in her gown, I can’t deny it—they all turn to face the minister, and I stare at Theo’s stiff back with longing. And worry. Something is bothering him.
I don’t know what it could be.
The ceremony is quick, and neither the bride nor the groom wrote personal vows to each other, which I think is a blessing. It’s a very straightforward, typical vow recital, and once it’s over and the minister says Craig can kiss his bride, he dips her dramatically and lays one on her that would make any woman blush.
“Good Lord, what a spectacle,” Theo’s grandmother harumphs in the middle of the kiss, making me giggle.
The music soars and the newly married couple exit the ceremony. Craig wears a satisfied grin and Jessica appears only vaguely mortified by that kiss. Everyone participating leaves the altar, and Theo is last. Again, he doesn’t look at me, though I catch him smiling tightly at his mother when she makes eye contact with him.
What in the world is going on? We all head to the reception tent together, everyone chattering about the ceremony and Ali lamenting about how hungry she is, but for the most part, I don’t pay attention. I can’t focus. All I can think about is Theo and how—angry he seemed.
Angry at me.
But what did I do?
Servers walk around the tent with trays of delicious appetizers, but I turn them away. Champagne is being passed about too, but I refuse to drink any alcohol for fear I might be pregnant. I find a table to sit at and plop down in the chair, watching everyone roam about and chat with each other. I know no one except Theo’s family, and we’re not that close. Besides, much of their extended family is at the reception, so of course they’re going to chat and play catch up with each other.
Theo is stuck taking photos with the wedding party for who knows how long. I just wish I could see him. I hope he tells me what’s wrong.
I really hope I have nothing to do with it.
“Are you okay?”
I glance up to find Ali standing in front of me, a worried expression on her face.
“I’m fine.” I try to smile, but my lips don’t want to cooperate, so I give up.
She settles into the seat next to mine and sips from her glass. I assume it’s wine, because there are no fizzy bubbles in it. “You look depressed. Are you like me? Weddings always make me sad.”
I turn to look at her with a frown. “Why do weddings make you sad?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong, marriage is a great thing. Look at my parents. They’ve been together forever.”
“Your parents are really sweet,” I say, my voice quiet. I adore them. I adore this entire family.
“They are,” Ali agrees. “But marriage seems like such a—trap. Is that what those two really want?” She gestures at a giant photo of the happy couple that’s sitting on an easel close to the tent entrance. “I think they secretly make each other miserable. My parents are the exception to the rule. A lot of people end up divorced.”
“The divorce rate isn’t as bad as it used to be.” My protest is weak. I was Ali not so long ago. A firm believer in the love is bullshit theory. But I also had a terrible example growing up. My dad wasn’t around. Ever. My mother hated everyone on sight, only because she was so bitter and resentful. Life handed her nothing but lemons, she said, and she never got any lemonade out of them.
Whatever “lemons” she was handed, she squandered. My mother didn’t make the best decisions. She’d lavish all that bitterness and resentment on me. When I was in high school, I was merely going through