Four months later…
Harry:
“Is this a bad time to tell you I left the ring at home?” I asked, giving my bow tie one final tug to ensure it was taut.
David gave me a long sideways glance, his lips pressed together, then mumbled under his breath, “Don’t be an arse.”
I was about to comment on his inappropriate language while in church when the organist started playing, alerting us all that the time had arrived. The guests turned in their seats to see the bridal party approach, and our grandmother was the first to draw attention, being escorted down the aisle to her seat by Billy. I could hear David draw in a deep, shaky breath. He had been unusually quiet this morning, even for David. I leaned over and spoke low. “In case I didn’t tell you before, this is probably the smartest thing you’ve ever done.”
David placed his hand on my shoulder, his smile unmistakable. “I know, mate.”
The clicking sound of the camera pulled our attention back to the procession. Guests were sighing in contentment at the bridesmaid walking down the aisle. It was Tiffany wearing a sage green gown with a sweetheart neckline. And as she approached, I wondered how she could move with such grace and ease when I thought I might lose my very footing merely standing at the altar.
Her hair was down in flowing soft curls, hands wrapped around the ribbon covered stems of an ivory bouquet. She was too beautiful to be real, and I couldn’t help but drink her in. As she approached, every step closer to where I stood, my heart pumped blood through my body in double-time. Her lips curled into a smile, her lashes fluttering, and right when I imagined that this wasn’t my cousins wedding but mine, Tiffany winked at me, pulling down the veil of the unknown, revealing a glimpse of my future with her by my side.
Time passed, music changed and I was still lost in Tiffany. Her eyes widened as she met my gaze and gestured with a quick nod for me to pay attention. Brit was already at the front of the church, taking her place beside Tiffany. But it’s not Brit or even Tiffany that I should be paying attention to. Kristen was walking down the aisle with her father, and I stole one final look at my cousin, understanding what he saw as she approached. Because it’s the same thing I see when I looked at Tiffany. It’s forever.
Tiffany:
“When David first asked me to be his best man, I said no.” The guests in the room broke out into a soft, polite chuckle. Harry getting his first laugh seemed to help him ease into his speech. “I mean, David is literally a rock star, so the fact that he had asked me made me really question his celebrity status.” Brit snorted next to me, and I could hear Erik shushing her.
“But in all seriousness, I do see standing beside you tonight as an honor. You’ve been more than a cousin. Over the years you were like a big brother. I looked up to you. Literally, you’re a lot taller than me.” The chuckles were heard again around the room. Harry adjusted his glasses and slipped one hand comfortably into the pocket of his black tuxedo pants.
“I remember the night you met Kristen. You came home with a goofy smile on your face. I had never seen you like that before, and when I finally had the opportunity to meet Kristen, I understood why.” He swallowed and gave a slight nod of his head. “She’s your soul mate. And when you meet your soul mate, you can’t stop smiling.” Harry looked at me and threw me a wink. “Sometimes, in the sky, you’ll see a star shining brighter than all the others. With a powerful enough lens, astronomers have proven that they’re actually not one star, but two, a binary star system locked within their own orbit.” Harry paused then turned to face Kristen. She was holding David’s hand but listening intently to Harry’s words, her eyes sparkling, her mouth locked in a beautiful smile she had been wearing all day. “Kristen, you have inspired my cousin to become the musician he is today, and you’re already on the road to your own amazing future. Together, you enable each other to shine.” Harry lifted up his champagne flute, which I knew was filled with sparkling cider. “So, if we could all raise our glass.” Harry held his glass up higher in the air. “To Kristen and David, two stars that magically orbit around each other. I wish you both a long and happy life together. Salute.”
The sound of clinking glasses echoed around the room as Harry kissed Kristen on the cheek, and David gave him a hug before Harry made his way back to me. “That was great,” I said as I stroked the back of his head. He relaxed in his chair, and it was clear he was already calmer having formally completed the last of his best man duties.
“All right, thank you to our best man, Harry Archer, for the lovely sentiment,” the DJ said. “We’re going to slow things down a bit as everyone enjoys the beautiful dinner that is coming out now.”
“Oh thank god! I’m starving!” Natalie rubbed her baby bump while Enzo pulled out the chair across from us for her. The couple had been pretty quiet about their plans, but Brit had told me they were engaged and waiting for after the wedding to announce their news. According to Brit, Drama Queen was not rushing to the altar. She planned on having her baby out of wedlock, but I was certain the engagement helped to ease her mind. She didn’t have anything to worry about. Watching Enzo with her, I knew he wasn’t going anywhere.
Harry wound an arm around my chair. “I’m pretty hungry, too,” he said as he placed the napkin on his thigh.
“Don’t be a food critic, okay?” Brit groaned. “Kristen doesn’t need to hear that the shrimp cocktail was warm or the chicken was too salty.”
“I’ll try my best.” Harry raised his three fingers in a boy scout honor gesture. “Although, from the looks of this place, I have a feeling the entree will be superb.”
The waiter served us our plates, but before I could even taste the salmon that was placed in front of me, Harry sat up, fully alert.
“What is it?” I poked at the salmon. “Is it not cooked properly?”
“See? Now you have her paranoid.” Brit rolled her eyes and pierced her filet mignon with her fork.
“No, it’s not the food.” Harry waved away Brit then turned to me, his eyes glowing from whatever was going on in his pretty little head. “Are you wearing your knee brace?” he asked.
I sighed. Even months after surgery he didn’t trust that I would follow doctor’s orders. I wore my brace every day. For once, I was being a good patient. I had a chance at my old life, and I wasn’t going to throw it away. Not this time. “Yes, the gown hides it well.”
“Good.”
“Why is that good?”
Harry pointed to the DJ booth. “Tiff, they’re playing our song.” I listened and sure enough, Under my skin, our song from class, was beginning to play. Harry shot up out of his seat, offered me his hand, and I glanced at the dance floor. It was empty.
“Maybe we should sit this one out. It’s dinnertime.”
Harry was not about to take no for an answer. “Not a chance. I didn’t take all those dance lessons to not dance with you when Frank was on.”
“Did he say dance lessons?” Brit asked, eyes all aglow as she glanced at Erik, who was looking at Harry with a newfound respect.
“Ballroom,” he said to Brit, who looked like she was about to have her jaw hit the table. “C’mon, Tiff, let’s show them how it’s done.”
“Well, now we have to see,” Erik said, and when I looked over at him, I saw he wasn’t making fun of us; he genuinely wanted to watch us dance.
“Oh please dance, Tiff. It’ll distract me from overeating.” Natalie batted her eyes at me, and I gave in.
“All right.” I got up and dropped my napkin on the table. Harry led me to the floor and twirled me into his arms. We fell into the rhythm easily and suddenly, the room disappeared and it was just us, lost in each other. Harry was singing. I was laughing, and we were wrapped in a perfect moment as we danced the intricate steps across the floor, moving together in flawless synchrony. I didn’t have to question if we were good. I knew we were. Like anything we did together, it became natural.
When Frank sang the last note, Harry surprised me by dipping me and gave me a kiss. He raised me up, his lips still pressed adoringly against mine. The room broke into applause, breaking away the illusion that we were alone, and I realized a crowd had formed around us to watch us dance. I looked at Harry, who was beaming.
“I think we should take a bow.” Harry held my hand so I could curtsey. David and Kristen were watching, and I hoped I hadn’t stolen a moment from them, but they both had their hands raised in applause. David’s chest puffed out as he looked on with pride. Brit hollered and pulled a rose out of her bouquet, tossing it at our feet. Harry picked it up then presented it to me. I looked out at the sea of smiling faces, our friends and family, and could see in their eyes that not only were they impressed by our dancing, they were rooting for us. The DJ put on a Bobby Darin song and people began to pair up and dance, forgetting all about their plates of food.
“You were right, Tiff.” Harry pulled me close and began to sway to the music.
“About what?”
He rested his forehand against mine. “That together we can do anything.” He placed his lips on mine, and I melted into his kiss.
A kiss that was well worth the wait.