Page 9 of 3 Daddies to Go
“Yeah, they definitely are.” I don’t mention the full bottle of champagne helping their enjoyment along. “These pictures are going to come out beautiful.”
She looks around. “I think so too! I just love how green everything is. Your dresses look great against the backdrop of the golf course too. It’s the perfect location, if I say so myself,” she adds smugly.
“Absolutely,” I agree. “Great work.”
My friend turns to me then with a bright smile.
“Save me a dance at the reception? I know it’ll be crazy to see two women dancing together, but I want at least one dance with my best friend.”
My eyes water. All of Trudy’s terrible behavior from the last two hours melts away, and my heart contracts.
“Of course. I’m going to hug you, and you’re going to deal with it, girlfriend.”
This time, Trudy doesn’t pull away when I wrap my arms around her. It only lasts a couple of seconds, but we come away smiling at one another.
“I love you, Kendall.”
“I love you too, Trudy.”
Suddenly, a shadowy figure appears above us. “Sorry to interrupt the love fest,” Herbie jokes. “But can I borrow my wife?”
Trudy’s face lights up when he calls her his wife. The word is new on Herbie’s lips, but I can tell he likes it as much as she does.
“She’s all yours,” I say. “Treat her well.”
“You know I will.”
I believe him completely because there’s no one I’d rather see my best friend with than Herbie. He’s not the type of guy I expected her to end up with, being that he’s sweaty and chubby, but I’m glad she found him. They’re perfect together. I have no doubt about their marriage lasting forever because he can tolerate her, and that’s saying a lot.
From my perch on the bench, I can see the photographer setting up Herbie and Trudy on the bridge. These photos are the ones that will be framed and put above the fireplace in Trudy and Herbie’s new house, and I sigh, settling myself in. This is going to take a while.
After a few hundred shots with just the bride and groom, the photographer asks us to join them, and the girls and I stand on Trudy’s side. Suddenly, the groomsmen materialize from nowhere, and there’s a palpable shift in the air. The amount of testosterone has just tripled, and this dark, dangerous men are the ones who did it.
“Hi,” says a particularly handsome one. “Are we late for pictures?”
“Not at all,” coos the photographer. “You’re just in time. Why don’t we mix things up a bit?” she says after a few shots. “Can we have Trudy and Herbie stand on one side, and then everyone else pair up down the line?”
I’m partnered with the best man, and my heart starts pounding as I look into those intense blue eyes. His hands circle my waist and I can feel the heat even through the thick fabric of my dress. I could melt into him, but I force myself to up straight and smile.
To my embarrassment, Leonore and Monica stake claims on the other two hot groomsmen as they giggle madly. The men ignore the giggles and merely place their hands around the girls’ waists, like nothing is wrong.
Jenny is left with the fourth and final groomsman, who is a bit of a wet dishrag when compared to the three handsome guys. Evidently, the fourth guy was Herbie’s campaign manager when he first ran for mayor years ago. I think his name is Buster? Or Barney? Something like that.
The guy isn’t unattractive, but I feel bad for him because he’s a bit of a slouch compared to the others. None of the women even look his way, we’re so consumed with Herbie’s other friends. Barney’s suit is ill-fitting, and his hair is light brown, his skin is light brown, and his eyes are light brown too. He’s kind of ugly, and I feel bad for him, but he could still find a girl at the reception. Anything is possible.
“Beautiful!” the photographer says when we’re all lined up. She snaps a few photos from various angles. Then she rearranges us again, and snaps some more. Then we go at it, again and again and again.
After half an hour, it’s time to head in for the reception. Frankly, I’m glad to be finished out here because I need to go to the bathroomdesperately. Besides, if I have to be around these guys any longer, I’ll make a fool of myself. I can still feel the best man’s hands on my waist, and how his eyes burn into my skin. His friends’ eyes too. The three of them have comported themselves perfectly, but there’s something sparkling in the air between us. I need a minute to compose myself before I do something stupid.
I escape to the restroom and run cold water over my face. It does the trick, and my heart calms a bit. The guys are just being friendly, right? Their heated stares mean nothing, or maybe it’s even just my imagination. I need to keep reminding myself of that before I end up hurt.
Because who knew that Herbie had such hot friends? He and Trudy have been together for a few years, but I’ve never met his childhood buddies. Evidently, these guys flew in too late for the rehearsal dinner last night, so this is the first time we’ve met them. Wow.
I take one last look in the mirror. My makeup was light to begin with, so the impromptu sink shower didn’t affect it much. I swipe some lip gloss over my lips to give them an extra shine, turn off the water, and then take a deep breath and head out the door.
Trudy is waiting in the wings for her grand entrance with her new husband, her expression filled with anticipation as her eyes glow. She decided not to do an introduction to the bridal party, instead ensuring the focus will be all on her. I’m okay with that. I didn’t want to have all those eyes on me when I entered the room, anyway.
As it is, everyone is already at their tables, fiddling with their phones while eyeing one another. I make my way towards the bridal party table, and everyone is already seated. I run my sweaty hands over my dress. I wish I was wearing something more attractive than this. The guys are all there, chatting politely with each other. It’s impossible to miss the three handsome groomsmen because literally every woman in the room is surreptitiously watching them.