Too Close

Chapter 32

Olivia's P.O.V

April

Haylie rubbed my back as I threw up my insides into the toilet. I took in a sharp breath and wiped my eyes.

"You feel any better, babe?"

"Yeah. No thanks to you," I sighed, laying my head down on the edge of the bathtub.

"I told you the lasagna had been in the fridge for a while."

"You should've clarified that 'awhile' meant more than a few days." I was at Haylie's last night for dinner and she'd warmed up old leftover lasagna. She was completely fine but I had gotten the worst of it.

"Yeah, I forgot to mention that. But are you sure you're okay?" I nodded. "Okay. I have to pick something up from my dad at his office, so... I'm gonna go. Call me if you need anything, I'll come by later to check on you." I nodded again and she left the bathroom.

After my stomach settled I took a long bath. By my bed, a suitcase for Katie's wedding was packed. My bridesmaid dress hung on the door of my closet. I touched the delicate silk material.

The gold gown shimmered in the sunlight and slipped between my fingers. Moving the dress aside, I peered at the black tux that hung behind it. Sighing, I pulled out my phone, knowing I would regret this.

To my surprise he answered.

"Hello?" My breath caught when I heard his voice. After weeks of not seeing him or hearing from him I... No. I was calling for one reason and one reason only.

"Katie's wedding is in two days, on Saturday. I'm leaving tomorrow after school for the rehearsal dinner. I have your tux." I walked to my bed and sat on the edge. He was silent on the other end.

"About that..."

"I'll let them know you're not coming," I said quickly, knowing where this was going.

"I didn't say I wasn't coming."

"So you are coming?" He hesitated on the other end.

When he didn't answer, I continued, "Yeah, I'll return the tux." And I hung up trying (and failing) to hold myself together.

On the day of the wedding, I looked up from my phone when I heard Katie sobbing in her seat. Tossing it on the leather couch, I ran to her side. The other bridesmaids were getting into their dresses and the makeup artist and her assistant did touch ups on lip gloss and setting spray.

"What's wrong?" I grabbed a tissue and tenderly dabbed at her eyes to keep her mascara from running and ruining her makeup. She shook her head and looked at the ceiling.

"I don't know!" She threw her hands up in the air. "What if this isn't the right time? Do you think we're rushing into this?"

"Shh," I dabbed the corners of her eyes. "You deserve each other. Just because life is unpredictable doesn't mean that you should let it stop you from taking chances. Now," I stepped away from her and looked into the mirror behind her. She turned in her chair so she could peer at her reflection too. "You look perfect. I know Tony is ready to marry you." She nodded her head and I smiled. "Then, what are you waiting for?"

All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up in the hallway with their partner. The wedding chime drifted through the air and the first bridesmaid and groomsmen went into the foyer just after the doors were pulled open from the inside. I was fourth in line and had been paired with one of Tony's friends. The line moved up as the second couple walked through the doors.

"Olivia?" I turned to the voice with a hand on my stomach.

"What are you doing here?"

Tyler stood a few feet away, trying to fix his black tie. "I'm here for the wedding."