by Jessica Yeh
Chapter Twenty-seven
THE WEDDING VENUE WAS small, and the ceremony was short. A petite brunette walked in first, accompanied by a tall, muscular man. By Kadence’s stories, she could only infer that the young girl was Claire, Jordan’s baby sister. Next was Talia, based on the process of elimination, with another man, just as built as the first.
Were all of Jordan’s friends so jacked? The thoughts evaporated when she saw Danny walking in with Kadence on his arm. Time stood still and her lungs constricted. She looked on in awe with her throat parched and her tongue feeling too loose in her mouth. An elbow to her side caused her to jolt.
“You’re drooling,” Emma said.
Avery straightened with a scowl, cheeks bright, but she couldn’t help it. When Melody was escorted down the aisle by a man with a salt and pepper beard, Avery knew all eyes should be on the woman of the hour, but her eyes keep drifting to Kadence. She couldn’t focus on anything else. They say the bride is supposed to be the most beautiful woman in the room, but oh, god. Kadence.
You need to keep it together, Bennett. Avery swallowed. As the officiant made his opening remarks, Avery used the time to drink in the maid of honor. The dress was a soft champagne color that hugged her curves in all the right places, a black lace neckline accentuated the gentle slope of her shoulders, and the strapless cut gave Avery a view of far too much skin for her brain to process. With the chandeliers overhead and the dancing crystal reflection in Kadence’s eyes, Avery couldn’t stop staring.
As the couple exchanged their vows, she found Kadence watching her, tilting her head as if to say ‘pay attention.’ Avery blushed, turning her focus to Melody, who was currently sniffling through her speech. It was the first time she had witnessed Melody like this. Something about it caused Avery to get teary eyed, as well. The second Melody’s voice cracked in the middle of her vows, Avery was a goner, wiping cascading tears from her face. When she finally collected herself enough to look back up again, she found Kadence glancing at her with a tender smile.
When the final “you may now kiss the bride” was spoken, Avery felt the need to shield her eyes. Something about it felt invasive. She had never seen the pair this intimate before. Even when they were camping, it was only subtle touches and occasionally leaning on one another’s shoulders. As different as this felt, she couldn’t help but love the idea of it, wanting to be able to have something like this, as well.
“Today marks the beginning of a beautiful, young partnership,” the officiant said. “In life, in love, and in family. May this ceremony entwine your connection and tie you in a knot that can never be severed. May your hearts be blessed with a love that will last for all of your days.”
As the officiant made his closing remarks, amber eyes magnetically found green ones staring right back.
***
The guests transitioned to the reception area. Avery lingered behind with Emma while they waited for their dates to take photos. The shoot consisted of arranging and rearranging the wedding party into as many combinations as possible, adding in a few key family members here and there. Avery sipped a cocktail until the MC announced a five-minute warning for the reception to officially begin. The temporary models dispersed, and the two roommates navigated to their table.
“Hello, everybody. My name is Charlie and it is my honor to be the master of ceremonies for Mr. and Mrs. Hanson,” a man with glasses and a pointed nose announced as his microphone echoed from the stage. “Thank you all for joining us on this magical evening when two lovers finally unite! Before we get to the main event, I’d like to introduce you to the people who helped make this possible. Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please turn your attention to the double doors in the back and help give a warm round of applause for the wedding party of Mr. and Mrs. Hanson.”
The clapping commenced as he announced the trio of pairs.
“First, let’s welcome Ms. Claire Hanson, sister to the groom. Claire is accompanied by Jordan’s college roommate and close friend, Alex Oak.”
The room applauded as the two entered and proceeded to the front of the room.
“Next up we have another beautiful sister, Talia Hanson, escorted by none other than Jordan’s childhood best friend, Nicholas Carpenter.”
“And finally, a big round of applause to this dedicated pair who helped put this entire ceremony together on such short notice. Please welcome sister of the bride and maid of honor, Ms. Kadence Cooper, accompanied by Mr. Danny Foster, Jordan’s best man.”
The room erupted into tumultuous applause and a few loud whistles. Emma, having a few too many drinks, placed two fingers in her mouth and released a whistle shrill enough for Danny to turn crimson. He shook his head with a chuckle. Avery decided to join in, cupping her hands around her mouth, shouting out a rowdy ‘hot damn!’
Avery grinned sheepishly as Kadence flushed red.
“That’s my date!” She puffed out her chest, pointing at Kadence. A few attendees laughed at her outburst before settling for the final announcement.
“And finally, I would like you to give me your loudest applause for this evening’s newlyweds, Melody and Jordan Hanson!” The crowd burst into a chorus of clapping and congratulatory salutes.
“And now,” He paused for effect before gesturing to the DJ, “Our couples’ very first dance together as newlyweds.”
A gentle acoustic guitar played, melodious and sweet as Avery watched Jordan pull Melody close. He placed both hands on her waist as she linked her arms around his neck, swaying to the gentle beat. Despite their rocky beginning, her heart warmed at the sight of Melody smiling as she looked into her husband’s eyes. Avery glanced at Kadence to find her own glistening with pure elation as she fought back tears. She looked elated. Avery offered her a wink.
After the song faded, Melody and Jordan resumed their place up at the center of the table in front of their family and friends. As they delivered their welcome speeches and thanked those who had attended, Avery turned her attention to her date. As Avery studied the glowing figure, Kadence looked up. Like a moth to a flame, Avery was hypnotized. Kadence’s lips ticked up, brow raised. But instead of feeling the embarrassment of being caught, Avery copied her expression with a challenge in her eye, daring her to look away. It wasn’t until she heard the applause around them, she finally broke contact, ending their little game.
A team of servers soon arrived with plates of food stacked high resting on their shoulders. The crowd began intermingling as the meal progressed. Avery barely got to speak to Kadence before she went to assist Melody with her dress as she and Jordan made their rounds in greeting the guests personally.
Dinner passed in a whirlwind. Before long, Charlie was standing by the DJ’s booth again, motioning for Kadence. She took the cue as he passed her a microphone, raising her glass.
“Hello everybody! If I could have your attention.” She took her knife, tapping it against the crystal. The room quieted.
“First of all, I want to say again, thank you all for joining us today. It means a lot to me and I know it means even more to Melody and Jordan. Their happiness means the world to me, so I’d like to take a moment to give a toast to my beautiful big sister, who has always been there to take care of me, and her husband, who I know will do the same for her. Melody, you will always be someone that I respect and look up to.” She turned to face the couple, locking eyes with her sister.
“And Jordan, the moment I met you, I knew Melody had finally met her match, in more ways than one.” She addressed her brother-in-law. “Though your relationship had a rocky, albeit, humorous start, you’ve come a long way. I remember when Melody first told me about you and your, I quote ‘stupidly handsome face’ and ‘annoying smug grin.’”
The room erupted with laughter. Melody buried her face in her hands while Jordan pecked her cheek, placing an arm around her shoulder.
“I knew from the beginning, you would be the perfect pair of, pardon my French, sassholes. She told me all the stories about you
r fights and bickering, yet she just couldn’t stop talking about you, no matter how much she tried to explain that it was just out of spite. But suddenly, with Jordan in her life, colors were brighter, she laughed a little louder, and smiled just a smidge wider. You have your differences, but in the end, it all works out and, as a result, you’re both stronger as individuals, and as a team.”
Kadence turned to face the audience. “It’s funny, don’t you think? It can’t be a coincidence that everything we do, when it boils down to it, can be categorized into two things, what we do for love and what love does for us. And most of the time, we hope that those things fall into both buckets.” She scanned the room.
“Loving someone is not just about finding them attractive. It’s something so much bigger than that, something greater. It’s about loving them for who they are. Seeing and appreciating the way that they exist in the world. It’s about watching them interact in it, even if it’s different from how you would. Because when you love someone, you’re simply happy for them the way that they are. And you hope that you can be a part of that.” Her eyes met Avery’s.
“You’d do anything to see them smile, sacrifice whatever you have for them. You’re vulnerable because of them. Not because love leaves you exposed, but because you choose to be. You choose to surrender yourself and give them that piece of you. It’s okay to be vulnerable when you find the right person. And it’s okay to let someone in. It’s your love for them and the trust you share that you hope makes them stronger. And their happiness, in return, makes you strong, too.”
Avery was melting. Kadence sent her a smile before returning her attention to the couple.
“Love allows you to build one another up while simultaneously having the power to tear one another down. It’s the most terrifying yet rewarding thing. And the payoff at the end is something I hope you two always find worth it. Jordan, Melody, I’m glad you two found one another. And I wish you a lifetime of building, growing, and existing together as Melody and Jordan but also as mister and missus.”
As the attendees applauded, Melody, forgoing formalities, rose to her feet and wrapped her sister into a tight hug. Kadence rubbed her back, as the crowd aww-ed at the sibling’s touching embrace.
“Come on, you can’t smear your makeup.” Kadence wiped gently at Melody’s tears. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to hand the mic to the best man, Danny. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find some tissues.”
She hopped off stage, handing him the microphone before dashing toward the door.
Danny’s speech was the perfect mix of playful and sentimental. But it was the way he concluded it that stole the show. Or maybe that was just Kadence.
“Now, in a traditional wedding, we would normally start with a father daughter dance…”
Melody’s eyes widened in apprehension. The room became suffocating.
“But unfortunately, Mr. Cooper couldn’t make it.” He said with a sad smile. “But though he is no longer with us, we were lucky enough to find a last-minute replacement who was willing enough to step into his shoes, or should I say, suit.” He gestured to the back of the room. Kadence stepped out of the shadows and all heads turned in her direction.
The bride’s jaw fell open as the room gasped. Melody stumbled to her feet as Kadence met her in the middle of the dance floor. Kadence withdrew a pocket square from a tailored blazer, making a show of straightening out her tie while Danny passed her the mic.
Kadence’s heart was so big.
I am so lucky, Avery thought.
“K…Kae…” Melody was speechless.
Kadence responded a gentle smile. “Mel, just because you’re a Hanson now doesn’t mean we’ll ever stop being a family. I know our parents couldn’t be here physically, but I know they’re here in spirit. And I’m here on their behalf to tell you one thing…that we will always love you, no matter how far apart we may be.”
Their pseudo-father-daughter dance was an endearing mess of sobbing and giggling. And by the end of the song, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
***
“Let me buy you a drink.” Avery grinned, finally finding Kadence free of her maid of honor duties. She did her best to play it cool, leaning an elbow on the bar as she gawked at the beauty in front of her. It was the first time she had seen Kadence sitting.
Kadence had been running around doing typical maid of honor duties, refilling glasses, playing hostess, conversing with guests, fixing bobby pins, and readjusting loose strands of hair. It was a wonder Kadence hadn’t gotten dizzy from all the circles she’d been running. Despite her eyes growing duller and more muted as the night wore on, Kadence still looked great. Exquisite, even.
“It’s an open bar, Avery.” Kadence ran her fingers through her hair with a sigh. They caught in a tangle.
“Shh.” Avery quipped, pressing her finger to Kadence’s lips before reaching out to free the fingers from the small knot. “Just let me have this.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Kadence’s eyes fell to her lips. Avery wanted nothing more than to lean forward and kiss her. But she wasn’t sure if she should do so in front of all of her friends and family. Instead, she elected to get Kadence a glass of champagne. They sat in comfortable silence, watching the crowd while Kadence rehydrated and rested her feet.
“So…” Avery bounced her knee, nerves getting the better of her. “Your toast…did you really mean all that or was that just nice wedding fluff?”
Kadence pivoted in her seat to face her, her knees brushing against the exposed skin. “You know I did.”
Color rose to her cheeks. “Dance with me?”
They managed to get two songs together before Melody tugged Kadence away to the photo booth. To Avery’s surprise, the bride grabbed her wrist as well, dragging them both along as she tore them away from the dance floor.
The first picture they took was relatively normal, Jordan and Melody sandwiched between Avery and Kadence, flanking them on each side. The next, Kadence suggested should be a silly pose. Just as the camera started counting down, Avery dashed to the bride, smiling devilishly.
Melody read right into her intentions and glared. “Avery Bennett, don’t you fucking dare.”
Too late. With what little upper body strength Avery had, she attempted to lift the bride, bridal style, of course. Jordan and Kadence quickly caught on, assisting her as they hoisted her into the air. it was a chaotic, fantastic photo. The final picture was of Melody, arms crossed and scowl on her face as she glared daggers at her husband and his sidekicks. Avery paid her no mind, leaning to place a chaste kiss on her date’s cheek just the flash went off.
Melody and Jordan placed their copy in the memory binder on the table while Avery and Kadence pocketed theirs. The bride then gave Avery a shove, grumbling at her for almost ruining the dress, but not before Avery caught a hint of a smile on her face. Melody stomped off with Kadence hot on her heels.
“You remind me of myself.” Jordan chuckled, nursing his beer. “I used to be a little bit of an ass. You’re not as bad though.” He laughed. “I mean, I was a total tool. You are just …”
“Immature.” Avery supplied with a defiant grin. “Purposely irritating.”
“Your words, not mine.” Jordan shrugged, though she caught the slightest uptick of a smile on his face. “She’s cool with you, you know?”
“I don’t know…she’s texted me otherwise.”
Jordan lowered the bottle from his lips. “Wow.”
“What?” She tilted her head in confusion at his sudden amusement.
“She definitely likes you.” He continued to laugh. “You’ve known her for how long? Melody wouldn’t even give me her number until almost six months after we started talking. I had to email her using our school IDs. Do you know how embarrassing it is to ask a girl out using an email address that you know is going to be screened by every administrator?”
This time, Avery chuckled, clinking her beer with Jordan. “I’ve made a fool of myself plenty of times fo
r a Cooper girl.”
“They sure are something, aren’t they?”
“They’re pretty special,”
“Can’t live with em, can’t live without em,” Just as the words left Jordan’s mouth, Melody emerged from the crowd, overhearing him. She grasped him by the ear with a relaxed tug.
“You’re literally moving to another country to live with me. You better be able to live with em,” she scolded halfheartedly.
“Ow,” Jordan yelped. “Yes, babe. I know. It was a joke.”
“Not a funny one,” Melody grumbled, giving him another tug.
At the suggestion of living together, Avery found herself imagining a living arrangement with Kadence and startled herself at how easily she could picture it. Kadence knew her way around the apartment. Avery cooked for her. Kadence cleaned. Their belongings were mixed. They shared clothes and stayed the night.
“Hello? Earth to Bennett.” Melody waved a hand in front of her. “What are you thinking about?”
She blinked. “Sorry, what?”
Melody rolled her eyes and Jordan gave a knowing smile.
Luckily, she was saved by her date wrapping her fingers on her bicep. “Sorry about that. After I left with Melody, Jordan’s mom found me, and I got caught up in a conversation with her and Claire about some guy. Long story short, there’s a big mess of approval and disproval that I don’t…” Kadence cut herself off. “Sorry. You don’t want to hear about that anyway.”
“I like hearing whatever you have to say.”
“Yeah, but I’ve been MIA all night. I’m being such a crappy date even though I’m the one who asked you to come.”
As if on cue, Talia came striding toward them, summoning Kadence to the DJ booth.
“Be right there,” Kadence assured her sister-in-law before turning her attention back to Avery with a sigh. “And now I have to go again. I’m sorry I’ve barely spent any time with you tonight.”