I’ve been lying here for at least an hour. My bladder is about to burst, and yet I don’t move. Sure, Ashton’s arm across my chest is preventing much give for me to slide out of bed but, I also don’t want to move. The moment I get out of this bed and start moving around, the sooner this day begins. And ends. I don’t want it to end. If this day could go on forever that would make me happy.
Today is my wedding day. Today is the day my five-year-old self’s dreams come true. In approximately twelve hours, I will exchange wedding vows with the man I have loved since he was a boy helping me out of the sand after I fell from the swings. Yep, at the end of this day, I will be Mrs. Bentley James Sullivan. I’m so damn excited I can hardly contain myself. And I’m determined to savor and enjoy each moment.
I think back over the last year with Ben. So many wasted moments because I was too afraid I’d lose my best friend, his sister, Ashton. I flash to a memory of each time Ben tried to convince me otherwise. Each time he showered me with love and affection and I chose to run. To run from him and my feelings. My fear almost caused me to miss out on the greatest love of my life. Why? Because I didn’t think I was worth it. And dammit, I am. I’ll be forever grateful Ben believed in us enough to wait for me to get my head out of my ass.
Damn my bladder and its inability to hold off just a little longer. Nope, the time is now. I’ve pushed myself almost to the “emergency” part of waiting to pee. Which also means it’s time for me to attempt to untangle myself from Ashton’s hold. I reach my hand out, stretching as far as I can to grab my phone. With my fingertips only, I successfully slide my phone toward me and tap the screen to check the time. You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s more last night than it is this morning.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration but still. It’s far too early. Sighing, I realize sleep will not come again. Also, there’s the whole bladder situation, and unless I want to wake Ashton because she’s lying in a puddle, I need to get moving. Quickly. Oh boy, yeah, I should’ve done this twenty minutes ago. When did my best friend become such a bed hog?
I manage to shimmy myself to the edge of the bed and out from under Ashton’s arm with minimal disturbance. Once I’ve used the restroom and brushed my teeth, I pull on a sweater Ashton has hanging over the back of a chair. It’s fall in Lexington, and the mornings are chilly, a hint of the pending winter in the air. I walk out of the room, quietly closing the door behind me; there’s no reason for all of us to be up yet. As I pass the guest room, I stop to listen at the door for any movement from Minnie, our friend and my bridesmaid. When I don’t hear anything, I continue to the kitchen.
I’m surprised to hear the last gurgles of the coffee brewing as I enter the kitchen. I make my way to the pot where I spy a mug and a note next to the pot.
Piper,
My brother insisted I have the coffee ready for you this morning. Seriously, you have him trained well. Share all the secrets! Oh, and HAPPY WEDDING DAY! Don’t wake me up, I need my sleep. I’ve set an alarm. Enjoy the peaceful morning alone. Reflect and do all that other shit you do.
I love you, bestie sister to be!
Ash
Yes, those are tears. Bitch. She knows how I get blotchy and puffy when I cry. Laughing, I smile through the few tears I allow to spill before sucking it up. Not today. I will not be a crying mess today. I love how well Ashton and Ben both know me. I suppose that’s the benefit of marrying your best friend’s brother. If two people are going to know you best, it’d be them. Pouring a little creamer in my cup before filling it with the nectar of the gods, I glance at the clock to confirm the time. We still have a few hours before both my mom and Patty, my future mother-in-law, will be here for breakfast. I quickly tick off a short list of things I must do this morning: shower; not cry; go over my to-do list; not argue with my mother; not cry again; encourage Ashton about singing; text Laurel, my friend and wedding coordinator, oh, and Ben’s ex-girlfriend, to make sure she’s on track for today; and most of all eat.
But before any of the to-do list can be tackled, I do as instructed. With coffee in hand, I make my way to the back deck, snuggling into one of the lounge chairs. The morning is crisp but clear. It’s going to be a beautiful day. If the clouds open and drop a record amount of water on my wedding, it will still be beautiful. It will still be the day I marry my best friend, my soul mate, and the man who makes me believe not only in myself but also that good guys exist.
A good guy he is. I’ve been a hot mess the last month. Off and on with the flu and an overwhelming bout of nausea, I’ve been awful to live with. I am even sick of myself. But not Ben. Nope, as usual he’s been amazing. Of course, he doesn’t understand why I’ve also been crying non-stop. I have hardly eaten anything, and there is more than a possibility that my amazing wedding dress won’t fit. There’s the distinct possibility that the thing will just fall right off when I put it on. Patty and my mom have promised that won’t happen. When Patty brought me soup the other day after yet another bout of vomiting, she promised to bring her sewing machine with her this morning. She wants me to put the dress on so we can confirm everything is fine. I won’t do it. I only want to put the dress on once, the final moments before I leave for the ceremony. So, they’ll just have to sew me right into it by hand.
I drift off in thought for a bit before I hear the sliding door open and close. I know it’s not Ashton because that girl will sleep for another four hours if we let her. Which, we won’t.
“Morning,” Minnie says as she settles onto the lounge chair next to me.
“Good morning. How’d you sleep?” I ask before taking another drink of my now lukewarm coffee and turn to face Minnie. She’s wrapped herself in a blanket with a cup of coffee in her hands, too.
“Like a rock. I’ve been so damn tired lately.”
“Girl, I know. Me, too.” I sigh.
“How are you feeling? Nervous?”
“Nope. Not at all. I’m excited. I want this day to speed up so I can be at the ceremony. But, I also want it to slow down because I don’t want the day to end.”
“That’s understandable,” Minnie agrees.
We sit and chat for a few minutes and enjoy the peaceful morning. Minnie is new to our town and our group, but she fits in perfectly. Her kind heart and sweet spirit is evident in everything she does. I’m grateful Owen found her. I love Owen Butler like a brother, but he’s been kind of lost most of his life and knowing he found someone like Minnie to love and be loved by has been a blessing.
“Do you think we should wake Ashton?” I scoff at the suggestion and Minnie laughs. “You’re right. How about we start on breakfast and you hop in the shower. The bride is first with the makeup artist and hair stylist.”
I agree, and we return to the kitchen, each intent on filling our mugs with more coffee, only to find Ashton in the kitchen.
“What are you doing up?” I ask.
“You know I have the worst case of FOMO. I couldn’t take the chance of you two bonding or some shit.”
We laugh. And that’s why Ashton Sullivan is my best friend. She’s full of sass, but her heart is huge. I watch as she whisks eggs in a bowl, adding spices and sautéed vegetables from a pan. While Minnie and I were outside talking she started breakfast.
“Don’t make a big deal about this. It’s my kitchen, and if I want to start breakfast, I will. But you, Minnesota Walker, you’re doing the dishes.” Ashton points her finger toward Minnie, causing me to snicker. “The mothers will be here in about an hour so you two better get moving,” Ashton orders.
I salute her and take my mug with me to the shower. This is going to be a great day.