Page 46 of Not that Sea-Rious

Marissa

T he church was magnificent. Marissa wasn’t religious or anything, but she could appreciate the splendor that was this building with its stained-glass windows and heavy oak pews. With the flowers Carolyn wanted and the bunting draped everywhere, tomorrow would be absolutely magical.

That was if Erich’s friends would take this rehearsal seriously.

The bride’s patience was running thin with their antics.

They were on a tight timeline because they kept messing around and purposely screwing up the order or asking silly questions about the ceremony.

If they delayed any further, everyone would be late for the dinner afterward.

No one wanted that.

Marissa’s stomach rumbled in protest as the priest reviewed some final details with everyone. Leaning into the groomsman she’d been paired with, Doug, she got his attention.

“If you do not cut this fucking shit out, I am going to rip your balls off and stuff them down your throat. I’m starving, and you are preventing all of us from getting to the rehearsal dinner,” she whispered.

His brows lifted, and he took a step away from her. Turning slightly, he caught the eye of another groomsman. With a bob of his head, the other man nodded and tapped the guy beside him.

Message delivered.

With a shimmy of her shoulders, Marissa was satisfied she’d done her bridesmaid duty of the evening and got the groomsmen to behave so Carolyn didn’t have to lose her shit on them.

She had enough on her plate. Apparently, the hotel had mis-booked her grandmother’s room, and it wasn’t handicap accessible, so she’d have to change accommodations the next day.

Thankfully, Tina handled that. The only thing everyone had to do was hold it together for another twenty-four hours, and the wedding would be done.

On to the reception where the party really began.

As she waited for the go-ahead, her gaze wandered to the bouquet of ribbons and bows in Carolyn’s hand. They were made from the decorations on the gifts she’d received during her bridal shower. The colors popped against the cute white spring dress the bride wore.

It reminded her of the flowers sitting in the vase back at her hotel room and the note Beau had written.

She hadn’t responded to him. Her heart wanted her to run to him and throw caution to the wind.

Who cared what happened? Live in the moment and be happy with the few days they had, but her head reminded her of the reality.

No job. No home. He was located in Florida. It couldn’t work.

Maybe another time, when things were more stable for him, but how would she know if she didn’t stay in contact with him? She should tell him that. Maybe then, if their paths crossed again, a relationship with him would work out.

If it was meant to be, they would see each other again.

As the bridal party was dismissed, Marissa followed everyone else to get into the small bus that would take them to the rehearsal dinner—finally.

Tina bumped her shoulder as they left the church. “So, do you think he’s going to come?”

Before she could answer, Joyce appeared on her other side. “Tonight? I doubt it. We didn’t tell him about the rehearsal.”

Fair point.

Tina shook her head. “No. I mean tomorrow.”

Marissa pursed her lips. What if he did show up? Would that be a red flag? She hadn’t spoken to him, but then again, Carolyn had invited him. Why wouldn’t he attend? It was a free meal. Considering he was out of work, was he really in a position to turn that down?

Wow, that was an awful thought. Bitterness wasn’t a good look on her.

Beau wasn’t like that. He’d never once indicated that he was the type of guy who would take advantage of a person or a situation.

Marissa needed to get her head on straight before she spiraled.

Which she couldn’t do. She wasn’t about to ruin Carolyn’s wedding and make it all about herself.

Joyce peered at her. “Have you talked to him?” she asked as they approached their chariot to the restaurant.

“To who?” Carolyn asked from behind them.

Well, now everyone was involved. Today and tomorrow were supposed to be Caroyln’s day. Why didn’t the bridal party seem to understand that? Marissa wanted to climb into a hole. Hadn’t she told her friends that she was no longer taking questions about Beau?

“Beau,” Tina answered.

“Wait.” Carolyn pulled Marissa out of the line to get on the bus.

Tina and Joyce followed, allowing the groom, his friends, and everyone else who was a part of the ceremony to climb aboard.

“I thought the Beau thing was settled. You had dinner the other day. He’s coming. Isn’t he?” Carolyn asked.

Biting her lip, Marissa glanced at the other women. The bride had enough on her plate. She didn’t need this drama. So Marissa had said nothing about Beau to her. Apparently, neither did Tina nor Joyce.

Letting out a heavy breath, Marissa hung her head. “As you know, the dinner didn’t go well,” she admitted.

“Yeah, but that was just a bump in the road,” Carolyn said. “You made up right?”

Marissa kept quiet.

“No. Seriously.” The bride shifted her attention to Joyce. “Joyce told me he sent flowers and wrote the sweetest card.”

Marissa bit her lower lip when Carolyn’s gaze fell on her again, begging for more answers.

“He did, but…” Marissa began.

“He did what?” Tina asked.

Apparently Joyce told Carolyn, but not Tina. Fantastic.

Joyce waved her hand, dismissing Tina. “I’ll tell you later.”

“You made up. Right?” Carolyn repeated her question sternly. “You two are adorable together. Don’t let a temporary situation ruin something fabulous.”

Marissa swallowed hard. She didn’t want to do this now. It wasn’t the right time. These days were supposed to be about Carolyn—not Marissa.

“Can we just focus on the wedding tomorrow?” Marissa pleaded.

The bride frowned. “No.” She took hold of Marissa’s hands.

“The ceremony and the reception will be spectacular. We’ve worked too hard for it not to be.

So I can concentrate on you and you enjoying my party.

I know you will have the best time with Beau.

He’s perfect for you. So, what is the problem? ”

Once again, Marissa sought out the other bridesmaids for support.

Other than cautious reassuring glances, she got nothing. They weren’t talking. It was on Marissa to explain.

“It’s comp—”

Carolyn rolled her eyes. “Everyone is complicated . You have got to get out of your head and start living. Unless he’s refusing to attend the wedding, which I doubt he is, you want him there.

I can see it in your eyes. I would love for him to be there, and I’m the bride.

That should mean something.” She squeezed Marissa’s hands.

“It will work out. I promise. Just breathe and let go. Allow life to happen.”