Page 50 of Sunny Side Up
twenty-five
I was filled with happiness for Ellie, and for my baby brother.
So much so that the dull ache in my heart and stomach—the one I’d woken up to every day since Dennis’s breakup text—was more a subtle, occasional twinge than its usual persistent presence.
My focus was on family today. No matter how badly I wished Dennis were here to be part of it.
“Knock, knock!” My dad opened the door to the suite, then bent down to grab two drink carriers full of fresh iced coffees, iced teas, and orange juice.
“Father of the Groom arriving with resources!” He slid a group of empty coffee cups to one side and dropped the drinks in their place, and then dramatically shielded his eyes. “I’m not looking! I’m not looking!”
“Give it a rest,” my mom groaned, but she was grinning, too.
“You can see us, Mr. Greene! It’s okay,” Ellie said, waving him in.
“MY FATHER IS HERE?!” cried my dad, looking around frantically. “Ellie, please. You’re legally family now. Call me sir, or your highness, whichever feels more casual.”
We all rolled our eyes.
“Permission to kiss the bride on her cheek?” he asked Ellie and the makeup artist.
They nodded, and he gave her a quick peck then walked over to me. “Look at that hair! Who took my daughter and replaced her with Gigi Hadid?!”
I laughed, letting myself stand up and fold into his hug. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi, Sun. Can you believe the day is finally here?” He rubbed my arm. “Our little boy, getting married.”
“It feels like just yesterday he was hiding his peas under the living room rug.”
“Vegetables will be Ellie’s problem now,” my dad laughed.
“Oh no they will not ,” she said from her chair.
My dad settled onto the couch, where I joined him, tucking my hair over my shoulder so it wouldn’t be smushed against the cushions.
“I know it’s Michael’s day, Sun, but I can’t stop thinking about you.” His voice was shaky, which instantly made me nervous.
“Why?”
He patted my leg. “I’m so proud of you, Sunny.
My baby girl, taking on the big city. Taking on the world.
” He held my hand in both of his. “It’s just, when I think about all the pain you’ve been through, I wish I could have stopped it.
I should have stopped it, you and Zack. I never thought he was right for you, and I’ll never forgive myself for not having the foresight to save you from Zack’s mistakes. I am so sorry, Sunny.”
Even though I was sitting down, I felt my gravity shift a tiny bit.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Dad.” I squeezed his hand. “Look at me. I’m doing great. My swimsuit line was just featured in The New York Times .” His eyes began to water. “I’m okay, I promise.”
I knew, in that moment, that it was true.
My marriage to Zack, my divorce, would always be part of my story.
There was no point in filling that chapter with more unnecessary regret.
I couldn’t rewind the clock or restart my book from the beginning.
All I could do was accept the past and use it to keep growing, to keep changing, to keep digging until I found the version of myself I wanted to be.
“Besides”—I cracked a smile at my dad, squeezing the hand that still held mine—“I wouldn’t have listened to you if you’d tried.” I patted his shoulder. “Now, no more tears unless they’re happy ones, Dad. Let’s go get Michael married.”
My dad nodded and stood up, his smile restored.
“I’m off,” he announced to the room. “To make sure the men have their pants zipped up and their shirts tucked in. Lord knows Michael can’t tie a bowtie to save his life. Wish me luck.”
“Thank you, your highness!” Ellie called from her chair.
You know what? I love that girl.
Before I knew it, we’d arrived at the venue.
The Adler Planetarium overlooked Lake Michigan.
The ceremony would take place outside under the setting sun, followed by a reception under an exhibition of stars.
Ellie looked magnificent in her princess dress with pink undertones—she could have come straight from a fairy tale.
Michael even burst into tears during their first look, turning around and seeing his real-life happily ever after standing, beaming, before him.
And yet, as guests began to trickle in, and the bridal party gathered back in the bridal suite, filled with giddy grins and pre-ceremony excitement, hushed voices and winks and pride, I felt my heart sink, just a tiny bit, when I looked at my phone.
Notifications poured in from the First Wives Club group chat.
Just because we were all divorced didn’t mean we were immune to the romantics of a wedding!
Brooke and Noor had asked for updates, photos of Ellie and Michael and the venue and my hair.
I smiled, swiping through the photos I’d taken so far.
A silly selfie of me and Michael, a close-up of the detailing on Ellie’s gown.
The sun above the ceremony setup, before the guests had arrived.
It was perfect, truly.
Except for the one thing that was missing, that continued to gnaw at me.
There was still no word from Dennis. Why did I think there would be?
I tucked my purse away in the bridal suite and tried to shove down the thoughts of him.
Inhaling deeply, I pivoted, like I always did.
It was showtime, family time. I would be the best maid of honor a wedding ceremony had ever seen.
As the coordinator gathered us into places, I squeezed Michael’s hand, wished him luck.
I gave Ellie a big hug, the sister I’d always wanted, minutes away from being official.
Then the music started, and I listened for my cue.
I shook my waves back behind my shoulders.
I’d be the first one down the aisle, with each set of parents and their accompanying children behind me.
The task was simple, really. One foot in front of the other.
But as I turned the corner and took in the crowd of adoring friends and family members, I saw a face in the last row that made me lose my balance.
I wobbled on my high heel and for some unknown reason, blurted out, “I’m falling.”
In that moment, I wasn’t sure what was worse: that I was falling on my face in front of all two hundred guests.
Or that, on my way down, I caught a glimpse of his face as he watched me fall.