“First of all, I would like to take full credit for this union,” she said, then paused. “After all, I babysat the dog.” We all laughed, and Abby grinned. She had always been good with people. “One day, Amy—my sweet, innocent, naive, and slightly socially-awkward sister who hated even leaving her house—called me, and begged me to watch her beast of a dog for a week. When I asked her why, she dodged the question for a good hour, before finally admitting to me that she had met a guy. I didn’t believe her. And yet, here we are.”
Abby tucked her hair behind her ear. “That was a long week, folks. For one, I had suddenly become the sitter of a five-million pound bear, which, as I discovered, likes to lay on top of you and not get up. Yeah. Most of my week was spent trapped and suffocating. But, more importantly, my sister fell in love that week. So, let’s talk about that, since I’m pretty sure that’s what you’re here for.
“As her sister, I am highly critical of any man who thinks he can walk into Amy’s life and actually be good for her. And yet, for all my suspicion, I have not found a single thing wrong with Derek. I am currently convinced that he is inhuman. I’m watching you, man.” Derek chuckled beside me.
“My sister, ever since meeting Derek, has become so much happier, so much more confident in herself, and so much more adventurous. Now, I am the one she’s always begging to go somewhere with her, not the other way around. Our roles have reversed and I can barely keep up with her. She’s living her life, and man, is it a good one.”
Abby wiped under her eye. “My sister is the most generous, selfless person on this planet. To know that she found someone who appreciates her for the goddess that she is, gives me hope. Looking at my little sister, and seeing how happy she is, and knowing that I’m going to be an aunt soon, man, I’m really glad I agreed to watch the dog.”
* * *
Our daughter, Lydia Diane Rittsman, was born in the middle of February. She was small, pink and wrinkly, and she was ours.
The first time I held her, I knew what it meant to be alive. Everything else seemed to fade away, leaving only me, my husband, and our tiny baby girl… our miracle.
The decision to name her after our mothers had been easy. Walter had finally told Derek the truth—that he and Derek’s mother had been planning on getting back together before the accident. The relationship between father and son had vastly improved over the months leading up to the wedding. With so much lost time to make up for, Derek was happy to be so close to his father. And Walter’s health only seemed to be getting better every day.
The day that Lydia was born, people flowed in and out of the hospital room, eager to meet her. They all cradled her and cooed… congratulating her lucky parents.
“She has your eyes,” Abby told me, examining Lydia carefully. “But Derek’s smile. Man, she’s beautiful. I am going to be the coolest aunt ever.”
“I made an outfit for her to go home in,” Charlotte said, holding up a bag. “It’s super soft, and there’s a matching hat. Rest assured, she will be the best dressed baby in the country.
Aneta cried when I handed Lydia to her. “She looks just like you did when you were born, Derek,” she blubbered in her thick, Polish accent, then kissed Lydia’s forehead. “Nana Aneta is here for you, little one. Even if you’re as mischievous as your papa was.”
Walter just held Lydia quietly for a while, his eyes never leaving her tiny face as she slept in his arms. Derek sat by me on the hospital bed, holding my hand as we watched the two of them.
It was late in the evening and I was exhausted. I rested my head on Derek’s shoulder, feeling whole.
“I’m so proud of you, Amelia,” Derek said, kissing the side of my head. “You’re so strong.”
I smiled. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she? I’m completely in love with her already.”
“Lydia? She’s…” Derek inhaled, shaking his head, struggling to find the words. “She’s the most precious thing in the world. The moment the doctor handed her to me, I swear the earth stopped spinning. She looked at me, with those blue eyes of hers—and I have never felt more helpless than in that moment. She looked at me—this tiny, vulnerable person—and it was like I was holding a piece of me.”
I nodded, understanding what he meant. “It’s like taking your heart out of your body and holding it in your hand, then passing it around the room. You don’t really have that much control anymore.”
“All I can do is protect her,” Derek said. “And hope that life is kind to her.”
I looked over at Walter, whose gaze still hadn’t left the little girl. Derek followed my line of sight, and smiled to himself.
“I have a feeling,” I said, “that those two are going to be completely inseparable.”
“Absolutely.” Derek squeezed my hand. “You already know how much he’s going to spoil her. Look at him. He’s completely taken by her.”
“And I’m completely taken by you, Derek. Thank you for giving me this family.”
“I love you, Amy, I will never let you go.” he said.
Bridesmaid For Hire
CHANCE CARTER
Chapter 1
Frankie
I stared beyond my desk at the row of windows on the far end of the room. It was bright outside, one of the first days of sun in nearly a week. Portland’s streets would be bursting with life as the glittering rays drew out its citizens and tourists with the promise of warmth and light. I wished I could be out there too, and was considering calling it a day when my office manager, Julia, came by with the mail.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you in here today, Aurelio,” she commented, tossing a stack of envelopes onto my desk.
I laughed. “Why?”
“Because it’s Valentine’s Day.”
I cocked a brow. “And you don’t think I should work Valentine’s Day?”
“I just thought you’d be busy with your bow and arrow.” The young redhead mimed shooting an arrow toward Vince, the graphic designer whose desk sat facing mine. He clutched his chest dramatically and groaned.
I chuckled and shook my head.
“My clients are already in love by the time they get to me. Trust me, I would make a poor matchmaker.”
Julia didn’t usually linger to chat, but she pushed her glasses further up her nose and asked, “Got any jobs on the go?”
I noticed the pink staining her cheeks and wondered if her sudden interest in my work had anything to do with the sultry smile Vince sent her way.
“I’ve got a couple coming up this summer,” I replied.
“Only a couple?”
“I can only take on a few weddings a year since I spend a lot of time with my clients.”
Her longing glances toward Vincent indicated she wasn’t really listening, so I didn’t tell her about my blog or online consultation services.
She finally moved on with a cheery, “Good luck!” and I pulled the stack of mail toward me and began to comb through it.
The only piece that wasn’t spam or a bill was a postcard from Barbados. I flipped it over, smiling as I read the familiar loopy handwriting.
The card was from my latest client, Olive Waller—Olive Dennington now, I supposed. She and her husband were having a whale of a time on their honeymoon, and she said she couldn’t thank me enough for making their big day such a success. It seemed like only yesterday that Olive and I were sipping champagne in the bridal suite while her mother flapped around us like a baby bird. Half my job was keeping Mrs. Waller calm, and it had been quite the job. I would miss Olive and her kooky family.
With an air of satisfaction, I pinned the card next to the others on the cork board beside my desk. Olive’s addition brought my collection up to seven in total. Not all of my clients sent postcards from their honeymoons, but the seven who had were undoubtedly my favorites, and I displayed the cards proudly. After the initial surge of happiness wore off, however, a pang of sadness hit me right in the gut.
I couldn’t help it. It was Valentine’s Day, after all
, and I was alone. Having reminders of other people’s marital bliss staring at me all day long was a great way to motivate myself for work, but it sucked on days like this when loneliness hung around my neck like a noose.
The name of my business, Always the Bridesmaid, was beginning to seem a little cruel.
Then again, I didn’t intend to get married anytime in the near future, even if there were a man in my life. Been there, done that. But would it hurt to have a little something more to go home to on Valentine’s Day than a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and my vibrator?
I sighed and continued gazing at the blinking cursor on my laptop. So far, I’d managed all of twenty words for my Valentine’s Day blog post.
“Hey,” Vince whispered.
I looked up at him. “Yeah?”
“So, you’re like a dating coach, right?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m a wedding planner, plus a little extra.”
Vince frowned and the entirety of his shaved head seemed to crinkle. Most of the people who worked in my shared office had no idea what I did, which was more my fault than any of theirs. I talked to Julia from time to time, but most of the other people rotated in and out or kept different schedules than me. It seemed like a waste of energy trying to talk to all of them.
“What’s the little extra?” Vince asked.
“I also perform all the maid of honor duties,” I said. “I organize the bachelorette, go dress shopping, provide emotional support, that kind of thing.”
“Isn’t the maid of honor usually the bride’s best friend or something?”
I rankled. I had this conversation a lot. “Yes.”
“So these women are hiring you to be their best friend?”
“Is that so wrong? It’s hard having to go through the stress of a wedding without knowing you’ve got someone at your side you can rely on.”
Vince’s eyes widened, and he nodded slowly.
I sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m a little bit stressed out today.”
“Totally. Totally.” He glanced toward the far end of the room, where Julia’s desk sat. “Do you think you can help me ask Julia out?”
I regretted apologizing. I regretted coming into work today.
“That’s not what I do,” I replied in a flat tone as I exited out of all the windows on my laptop and prepared to shut it down. When I couldn’t focus and people started to annoy me this much, it meant I needed a change of scenery.
My work phone buzzed on the desk. I looked at the number, but it wasn’t familiar. I considered letting it go to voicemail, but since I hadn’t left the office yet I figured it would be rude not to pick up. Plus, this way I wouldn’t have to answer any more questions from Vince.
“Always the Bridesmaid,” I answered brightly.
“Hi!” came a cheerful voice. “My name is Valerie Fieldman, and I just got engaged!”
Joy whizzed through me and banished the dark cloud over my head in an instant. This girl sounded like pure sunshine, and that was exactly what I needed. Plus, the thrill of a potential new client always did wonders for my mood.
“Congratulations Valerie! That’s very exciting.”
“I know!” she said. “I want to start work on my wedding planning right away, and I knew the first thing I had to do was score myself a perfect maid of honor. Are you taking on new clients?”
Wow. I was used to a more reluctant bride. I performed an unconventional service, so it was understandable that most brides asked a ton of questions before they would even consider setting up a consultation.
“That depends,” I said. “When are you hoping to have the wedding?”
“Exactly one year today. If you’re all booked, I might cry.”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry, Valerie. I’ve got plenty of availability around that time.”
“That’s music to my ears!”
I admired this woman’s enthusiasm and could not wait to meet her.
Brides typically fell into one of two categories—anxious or excited. The two categories sometimes blurred into one another, but for the most part, a bride’s behavior would remain consistent. Each type came with her own set of challenges. Anxious brides fell victim to their emotions and sometimes needed rescuing from worry spirals. Excited brides, on the other hand, were more likely to descend into a daydream that involved nothing but pink champagne and pedicures, even though there was work to do.
Wedding planning always relied on some input from the bride, and my brand of wedding planning was more a partnership than anything else. I had a good feeling about Valerie though, and we made arrangements to meet the following afternoon.
I ended my call and finished closing down my laptop. My mood had improved, but a change of scenery was still in the cards. I couldn’t wait to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.
Vince caught my eye as I stood to go. “New client?”
“Yup,” I replied happily.
“Another postcard for your wall soon?” He pointed to the cork board. “I assume those are all from clients.”
“They are.” Pride bubbled in my chest, and I grinned. “And maybe. We’ll see how our meeting goes.”
“Hey, before you go.” He jerked his head in the direction of Julia’s desk. “What do I do?”
I considered reminding him that I was a wedding planner, not a dating coach, but the guy obviously needed a little help if he was badgering someone he barely knew for dating advice. Plus, I was feeling a little more forgiving after my chat with Valerie.
“Just go talk to her,” I said. “Seriously, it’s that easy. If she seems into it, ask her what she’s doing later.”
Vince sighed. My advice was not the game-changing words of wisdom he’d been looking for, but he acted on it anyway. Vince rose and walked to the other side of the office while I hefted my backpack onto my shoulder and headed to the elevator.
It was a quick walk to my apartment building. Living in the heart of Portland was expensive but worth it. The city teemed with artists and free thinkers of all kinds, and each time I stepped outside my door, I discovered something new. I had lots to keep me entertained—live music, festivals, plays, markets—and the variety of food was second to none. I grew up in the shadows of New York’s skyscrapers and, in many ways, Portland reminded me of home, only it was way smaller, and I liked the weather a lot more.
I dropped my bag off in my empty apartment. The sound of the canvas hitting my couch seemed to echo in the airy space and I retreated to the chattering streets, where people sang and yelled and cars honked at each other as the sun made everything glow.
I meandered up through Pioneer Courthouse Square, picking my way through the tourists and locals lounging on the red-bricked stairs of the amphitheater, then slowly wound my way down the bustling streets toward the river. The riverfront park was full of people, seniors to teenagers, business people to the homeless, all sitting on the grass or wandering about as they soaked in the sun’s healing rays. I claimed a spot on the railing overlooking the Morrison Bridge and thought about my new wedding. I hadn’t done a winter wedding for some time and I couldn’t wait to get started.
I would be the first to admit that I lived vicariously through my clients and that it probably wasn’t healthy, but how could I help it? For a few months, I became one of the most important people in these women’s lives, and together we created something sensational and beautiful. I got to give them the experience I never had. It was addicting. Their triumphs became my triumphs, and their problems helped block out my own. It was like guest starring in another person’s world and leaving my own anxieties behind. Who wouldn’t want that?
Chapter 2
Levi
Watching the sun set after a long day of work was the best feeling I ever got. It was the whole reason I’d purchased this apartment, which overlooked the Willamette River and the other side of the city beyond it. The full-length window in my living room afforded a view so spectacular that when I stood in front of it, my mind
turned quiet. Nothing in life thus far had ever brought me so much peace.
A loud knock on my front door tore me out of the moment, and I turned to answer it just as my brother Garrick barged in. His joyous expression relayed his news before he even had a chance to speak.
“She said yes!” he announced, striding across the room.
I shook his hand vigorously and clapped him on the back. “That’s great news. Congratulations.”
The handshake wasn’t enough, and Garrick smothered me in a hug. “You have no idea how happy I am.”
My voice came out muffled against his sweater. “I think I can fathom a guess.”
Garrick laughed and released me.
I took after my father in looks, with dark eyes and hair, but Garrick had been the sole inheritor of my father’s sunny disposition. The pair of them might have been indistinguishable, if not for the cornflower blue eyes Garrick took from my mother’s side and his insistence on letting his hair and beard grow wild. He ran a hand through his thick mane now and shook his head in disbelief.
“I’m engaged, man. I’m engaged.” He somehow grinned wider and pulled me into another hug.
I patted him on the back awkwardly.
“I just came from Mom and Dad’s,” Garrick said, pulling back. “They’re thrilled. You should have seen Mom’s face. Val’s telling her parents right now, and we’re getting everyone together for dinner.”
My expression dropped. Garrick noticed.
“Don’t be such a sourpuss,” he said. “It’s just dinner. You like to eat.”
“Of course I like to eat.”
“Then what’s your problem?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have a problem. It’s just a busy night for me. Raincheck?”
He narrowed his eyes and studied me. “What are you so busy with that you can’t come celebrate your brother’s engagement?”
I wasn’t busy, and I didn’t need to say anything for Garrick to know that. He’d always been too good at reading me.
All the light in Garrick’s face dampened and his mouth curved into a frown. I shouldn’t have said anything. I should have just let it be and agreed to go to the damn dinner.
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