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You are cordially invited to the wedding ceremony of Sera and Mark in a week-long, all expenses paid trip to the tropical island of Barbados! We promise you a week of fun, nostalgia and glittery celebrations! Your presence is...
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The sun was nearing the horizon and the wedding party—after long hours in the cool, inviting water—was seated in a circle in one secluded corner of the beach. The sky was beautifully painted with hues of pink and purple. The jovial atmosphere as a whole seemed serene and at peace.
It was an average-sized circle as all of us occasionally took sips of our drinks and laughed at something someone had randomly sputtered. Both the groom's as well as bride's friends happily mingled with one another like mature adults yet our discussions were mostly frivolous.
"Link," Ella said. She was one of Mark's friends. She had seemed reserved at first, but opened up to us after a few drinks and laughs.
"Truth, I guess." Link shrugged.
We had started playing a game of truth and dare a while back just to get to know each other better on the first day so that we could enjoy the week more. And so, a heck load of silly questions were mostly the cause of our laughter too.
"Are you single?" Ella fired.
All of us chorused a few oohs like some pre-schoolers fascinated with love and flirtations. Link rolled his eyes as if the only wise and matured adult among us and gave a suspicious no as an answer. I saw the tiny pout which occurred on Ella's face and my mouth twitched in amusement.
Sera elbowed me from the right where she was snuggled in Mark's arms. I looked at her and we shared an amused laugh internally. Link had always been like that. He wasn't opposed to dating or relationships but he never supported sudden, short bursts like these. He was sensible enough to know when a thing would work or not. So he preferred to remain as far away from possibilities as possible.
I smacked him on the shoulder lightly. He was seated on the left of me. "Your turn, mister," I said.
"Um, Mark," he said.
"Dare," Mark picked. Sera groaned from his cuddle.
"I was just getting comfortable, Mark," she protested. People chuckled at her misery and Link shook his head.
"Okay, you can just kiss your annoying bride." He waved a hand in dismissal.
Sera shot a glare in Link's direction and Mark pouted at him but they went for the kiss despite. The pair looked so in love just because of the warmth that radiated from the intensity of their kiss. I discreetly smiled at my best friend, feeling happy that she eventually found something precious like this.
My gaze fleeted to Beck, who sat at my right diagonal beside Jordyn, just in time to see his on me. I narrowed my eyes in question a little. He pointed to the cozy couple and mock-gagged. I suppressed a laugh at his expression, shaking my head as I looked away.
"Okay who do I pick," Mark pondered. "Rick."
Rick grinned and raised his glass merrily. He looked like he was waiting to be picked since the start. He was another one of Mark's friends. He was handsome in his own way. His casual yet polished clothing seemed it was meant to impress, but to me he looked a bit eccentric and haggard.
