Heartlines

42: Ordinary Human

Sitting in the bridal room is making me more nervous, it's time for pictures with the groomsman. Seeing Ben for the first time today is going to be hard, I'm not a great actress and I certainly can't hide my emotions. I close my eyes and give myself one last pep talk. 

I have to do this for Ben. 

The photographer enters the room and calls for the ladies to follow them to the gardens. With shaky legs, I stand and start walking out the door with Zoey, Megan's best friend and maid of honor. All she knows is Ben is my ex and things didn't end well. 

We are waiting for the boys when we see them round the corner from their smoke break they aren't supposed to be taking. The bride has made that request crystal clear.  I try not to stare at them, but I need a quick glance at him. Ben stands above all the other groomsman, his hair is cut even shorter from two weeks earlier, the last time and fourth time he snuck into my condo. 

When he busts me staring at him, he gives me a quick smile, and then turns his back to me. My cellphone starts buzzing in the pocket of my dress, I look towards Bridezilla with wide eyes, but lucky for me, she doesn't hear it. The photographer is busy getting her and Peter into the perfect pose. 

You look absolutely beautiful. I'm having chest pain and shortness of breath.

I try hard to hide the smile but fail. 

You Sir, look delicious. Want to sneak off somewhere?

The bridesmaids get positioned around the bride and groom. The groomsman filter behind us, Ben uses that to his advantage. I feel his hand on my waist while he pulls me closer to his body. 

"I do." He mumbles under his breath. 

Blushing, I try to hide the emotions from everyone around us. 

We are not doing a good job hating each other. 

For the next hour, the photographer brings us everywhere around the garden and poses the party in many different shots. My feet are throbbing with all the walking and sinking into the grass. I want a minute to sit and relax, but we don't have that luxury. 

My phone vibrates in my pocket. 

Your room has been moved. It's now on the ninth floor with an adjoining door with a very handsome cop and yes, he brought his handcuffs.

I'm smiling like an idiot at my phone and immediately feel self-conscious about it. Excitement races through my body at the thought of waking up in his arms and that he actually listened to me for once. I had begged him to stay with me tonight and it looked like I was getting my way.

Where is your date going to go?

I tuck my phone back in my pocket and start walking away from the group. Wanting a moment to drop my guard, I make my way down to the Japanese Hill and sit down in the grass with my phone in hand.

She will be in the room I reserved for myself, and I will be in yours. Just sleeping of course.

I send mine back smirking.

Sleeping is the only thing you will be allowed to do in my room. What happened to leaving me out of the loop? Megan and Alex not giving you enough information? P.S. Why did you get a new number? I've programmed you in as Stage Five Clinger.

My phone quickly chirps, and I look down.

No they haven't been keeping me in the loop. Someone told them that she was off limits to talk about. I'll show you a Stage Fiver.

I close my eyes and lean my head against the tree, everything is so quiet down here and I can actually think. I'm so happy being here with him, I let myself imagine our wedding day. I don't want anything like this. I want a small ceremony with just a couple people. Ben will definitely be wearing a suit.