Catching the Bouquet (Slow Updates)

Chapter 1

Author's note:  My cover was made by Moustaches Nerd Glasses, @ChocolateGal and @Forever_Yours_Too

Chapter 1

The two things I hate most in life are wearing dresses and being at weddings and at the moment I’m currently doing both.  I used to love going to weddings until I learned about the family superstition as I like to call it. 

All of the females in my family gush about how when they turned twenty-four, the first wedding they went to they caught the bouquet and ended up marrying by the time they turned twenty-five.  Also, they end up marrying someone they met at the wedding.

The “family blessing” sounds way too specific to even happen.  I turned twenty-four about two weeks ago, and I really don’t see that happening.  Sure, I see why my family would think all the females in the family would think that would happen to them if it happened to the girls before them. 

I believe they wanted that to happen so much they just found someone they liked.  I mean is it really that hard to find one guy at the wedding you find attractive.  Not that I want to notice any guys at the wedding.  All I want to do is get out of there before the bouquet toss.  A guy is one thing I do not need right now.

I begged my cousin, Jenna, to just let me sit at the kids’ table but no.  No, she couldn’t throw me just one bone for a reprieve.   She said she was doing me a favor, that guys would approach me more if I wasn’t surrounded screaming kids. 

I think she also mentioned something about it being a mood killer, but after she mentioned guys, I kind of checked out.  Unfortunately for me, Jenna loved me enough to actually pick out a pretty pink dress.  In theory, I should be glad I might be able to use the dress if I absolutely had to without having to go dress shopping, so that’s a bonus. 

Right now, I can’t even appreciate that.  Needless to say, my family has loved making pretty in pink jokes when they finally got to see the bridesmaid dresses.  They’ve also been forcing me to look at wedding magazines for the past two months.  I desperately need to get my family some new hobbies.  I want them to just leave me alone.  I’m perfectly fine being single. 

I am much happier just working and hanging out with my family and friends.  Well, I guess there is a less emphasis on the family.   I try to tell my family that I’m just done with men, but that never works. 

I just end up getting talks about someday you’ll meet your knight in shining armor.  I usually come back with the comment, ‘Do I really want to end up with someone, if I first meet them in armor’.

I’ve got to admit I was thrilled when I first heard about the family’s blessing.  I mean what five year-old wouldn’t.  Now, I want to desperately blend into the kiddy table, and that’s really saying a lot since I’d rather be ten feet away from any kid.

I feel like I have a big stamp on my head that says single.  I’m currently seated at a table that sits fourteen and only three other girls are at my table.   Yeah, thanks Christina for making me feel even more out of place.  I’m already wearing one of the itchiest dresses ever.

I guess I shouldn’t complain too much.  Some of the guys look really cute.  I shook my head.  I need to be alert if I’m going to make my escape plan before the bouquet toss. 

I started to look around the room at all the decorations.  The banquet hall had big billows of pink silk that started from the center of  the room where the chandelier was and strands that stretched until it reached the columns at the four corners of the room.

The center pieces were two foot tall vertical, glass columns that had strings of shiny, crystal beads that reflected pinks and blues.  The columns also had a couple of different orchids as well.  I started to look at the PowerPoint of pictures that had been continuously rolling throughout the reception.

There are way too many distractions in this room.  I started to take a mental note of the doors that were in the room when I made the mistake of looking into the most gorgeous pair of green eyes that I’ve ever seen.

Yeah, my plan on swearing off guys has just got that more difficult.  Gulp.  I stared for a second too long when I realized that he was sitting right across for me.  Apparently, I don’t know the concept of avoiding eye contact.

He got up and made his way over to my brother, Anthony, who was sitting beside of me.  While they were busy whispering, I tried to discreetly pinch him and nod my head no.  I was slightly distracted while I looked at the guy’s arms.  He had pretty nice arms.

Unfortunately, my brother still hadn’t forgotten that I was the one who scratched his car.  He looked at me, “Hey, I can take the hint.  I’m moving so you can start talking to your future husband.” 

It definitely helped me stop being distracted.  I started to feel my face getting warm.  I can’t believe he said that.  His car was so getting more scratches on it in the morning.  I didn’t even want to look to see what the mystery green-eyed stranger thought, but you know what they say about cats and curiosity. 

I peeked up slightly and noticed he had a grin on his face.  He was grinning slightly too big for my comfort.  I started to shift a little in my seat. 

He put his hand out, “Hi, I’m Jeremy.” 

Oh, boy.  I’m definitely a sucker for deep voices with a slight southern drawl.  I’m definitely in trouble now.