Chapter Three: Claire
The reception was like a movie. From the flower arrangements to the chair covers, everything had been coordinated and groomed to match perfectly. There wasn’t a petal or a sash out of place, and the textures made Claire want to touch everything. She refrained from doing more than running a finger over the back of a chair, determining that the fabric cost more than a month’s rent on the shop. She sighed at the sensual pleasure of it and tried not to touch anything else. The chairs, after all, were meant to be sat on.
No expense had been spared as Violet and Frank entered the tent as Mister and Missus. Violet and Claire had gone back and forth on whether or not Vi should change out of her formal dress before the reception, both of them feeling like she shouldn’t, but then maybe she should. They’d gotten tired of the argument before too long, and Claire was glad, in the end, that Vi hadn’t changed. Her wedding dress was perfect, and since the train could be shortened, it was well enough suited for dancing. Claire thought about how it had been her hands zipping up the dress, one more symbol of girlhood friendship before they’d gone into the wedding, and was glad to be a part of it, even if they both thought it was kind of silly for someone to help a grown woman get dressed.
Violet and Frank danced arm in arm through the row the guests made as everyone threw rose petals. It was perfect. Claire couldn’t remember the last time Violet smiled that big. They danced in and to their seats where the reception went just as planned. A small video presentation was made of Violet as a child and Frank in the last ten years since he was born before cameras were invented. Though the attendants were told it was because he lost all his childhood possessions in a fire. Pictures with quotes from friends and family alongside it were planned, then the speeches.
Claire had worked hard on hers, not sure if she wanted to go with the sentimental “I can’t believe you found your Prince Charming” route or the funny best friend route. What she finally decided on was a mix of the two.
Claire banged her spoon against her glass flute, hoping she didn’t hit it hard enough to break it. That would be embarrassing. When the crowd quieted down enough, she started.
“Hi, everyone. My name, if you don’t already know, is Claire Stein. For those who don’t know me, the bride and I go way back. I’m talking best friends forever status, okay. We had the matching necklaces and everything,” she said, causing the audience to chuckle. “In fact, we go all the way back to high school. Shout out to all my Skyline alumni. She was drawn to my take charge attitude, and I was in love with her bell bottoms. Truly, it was a match made in heaven since the moment I hit the guy who tripped her.”
This led to another round of laughter, and Claire was glad her punchlines weren’t falling dead. “We’ve been best friends ever since. Violet is the absolute best friend I could ever ask for. She is also quite a catch. Good going, Frank,” she said turning to him before turning back to the audience. “To the long line of suitors who were waiting, I have bad news for you.” Violet turned red, but everyone else laughed good-naturedly. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding,” she said, blowing a kiss to Violet.
“We used to imagine our futures and dream weddings, and every time we did, the one thing that never changed was having each other as our bridesmaids. I’m so honored to be able to say you did it, Vi,” Claire said, putting her hand on her heart. “You made all your dreams come true, and I am so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness you can find. I wish you two all the love and happiness in the world. Frank, you are a lucky, lucky man and I hope you know that. Violet will devote the same love and commitment to you that she’s given me over the years, and that is priceless. I know there will be many years of happiness and love. Let’s all raise our glasses to the bride and groom and wish them a lifetime of love and joy!” Claire said, wiping tears as she sat down.
Violet blew a kiss to Claire as she wiped her eyes and turned toward Frank, happily going to him for a kiss. Everyone cheered, and Claire tried her hardest to just be happy for her friend, but she couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. She knew it wasn’t right, but she couldn’t help feeling upset that Violet had found something Claire couldn’t find for herself. She stared as Frank and Violet spun in circles on the dance floor for their first dance, completely lost in each other’s eyes. It wasn’t lost on Claire that the lyrics were, “At last, my love has come along.”
At last seemed impossibly far off for Claire.
“May I have this dance?” Desmond said, sidling beside her and startling her from her thoughts.
They hadn’t had the best interactions up to the wedding, though she tried not to take that personally. The bachelorette party had been a hit, and he hadn’t gloated about it at the wedding rehearsal. In fact, he had seemed to be on his best behavior. Since then, she hadn’t had reason to see him again or be angry with him. Not wanting to seem rude, she said yes. He smiled and took her hand.
Leading the charge, they joined Frank and Violet, cueing everyone else to dance, though she didn’t notice anyone else joining them on the dance floor. How could she with Desmond staring down at her like he didn’t want to be anywhere else in the entire world? It made her hot, and she wondered why her pulse raced as he stared deep into her eyes.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
“You hadn’t mentioned,” she said, glancing away from the intensity of his eyes.
“My apologies. I must have only said it in my head. Still, it’s true. Claire, that dress was made for you.”
It really was. She was the only bridesmaid, and Violet let her choose the kind of dress she wanted. Since Frank was footing the bill, she had a custom dress made in the color Violet requested.
“I’ll pass along the praise to the seamstress,” she said deflecting.
“And your speech was really touching,” he said, spinning her away from him before pulling her back to him, this time wrapping her tighter in his arms.
“So was yours,” she said breathlessly.
“I only told the truth. There is so much I could say about Frank. It was a pleasure to see my friend off into marriage. Especially to your friend.”
“Yeah. He and Vi are a match made in heaven.”
Desmond’s eyes flashed with something too fast for her to process. “I wonder if those kinds of matches are one of a kind.”
Claire didn’t want to admit she wondered the same thing.
“I could use a drink,” she said, touching her forehead to make sure she wasn’t sweating.
“Come outside with me?” he offered. She hesitated but relented when he added, “The night breeze will feel good on your skin.”
He walked her out, with the barest hint of his hand on her lower back, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The night was cool and, immediately, goose bumps pebbled on her skin.
“Are you cold?”
She rubbed her arms but shook her head ‘no.’ “I’m fine.”
“I don’t mind letting you borrow my coat.”
“I’m fine,” she said, and he sighed.
“Of course, you are. You’re always fine. I bet you’re never anything else but fine.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t take it like that,” he said, putting his hands into his pockets, and God help her, he looked even better like that. “You know what I mean.”
His attractiveness wouldn’t keep her from ripping him a new one. She didn’t tolerate sass from anyone, especially men like Desmond. “No. I don’t know what you mean. Why don’t you tell me?”
“I’m just saying, it’s a shocker you didn’t turn into a bridezilla, even though it wasn’t your day.”
“One would have to be the bride for that to happen,” she said between clenched teeth.
Desmond chortled. “I bet you could figure out a way to make it happen without that little detail.”
Claire could feel the blood in her veins boiling, and her fingers twitched to slap him. She debated on it, then decided against it, not wanting him to have that kind of power over her.
“You know what?” she said, clenching her fist.
“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
She couldn’t let him be right, so she stormed off instead. She didn’t need to have the last word. She had the last laugh.
***
“Hey,” she said, catching up with Violet. “I’m about to leave, but I just wanted to check with you before I left.”
“Oh,” Violet said, grabbing her shoulders, “so soon?”
“Yeah,” Claire said, keeping a tight hold on her emotions. It was Violet’s night, no need to let her feelings ruin it for her. “I’m feeling tired.”
“You’re usually the party animal. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”
Claire smiled, trying hard to look sincere. “Yeah. Perfect. Just tired, but thanks for asking. I’ll be all right after a good night of sleep.”
“You won’t be missing in action tomorrow, will you?” Violet said with a twinkle in her eye.
“Never,” Claire said, making sure Violet could see how serious she was. “Nothing could keep me away.”
Violet breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
“You got everything you need at the hotel?” Claire said, wanting to double check there was nothing she could do to help her friend before she left.
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure. All my clothes, lingerie…” she said, blushing a little. “I’ve got a few toys that you snuck in my bag,” she said, flushing a deeper red, “and my shoes.”
“Good,” Claire said. “I’m glad. All you have left to do is to bring yourself.”
“Can do,” Violet said, giggling. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do to make this easier for you.”
“Easier?” Violet said, pulling Claire to the side of the party where it would be quieter.
“Yeah. I bet you’re nervous.”
“Nope,” Violet said, shaking her head and looking the picture of tranquility.
Claire stared at her a bit, and asked, “You’re not?” as if asking again would make Violet change her mind.
“No, Claire bear, I’m not. Why would I be nervous? I married the man of my dreams. I couldn’t be less nervous,” she said.
“I just can’t believe that the girl who almost threw up when she had to go up for her high school diploma, or almost had an anxiety attack in college over what she should do if her date tried to kiss her, isn’t nervous about the fact she just got married and is now going on her honeymoon.”
Violet giggled so hard she snorted. “Claire, shut up,” she said, slapping her arm. “You are too much.”
“What? I’m just saying, you not being nervous seems far-fetched,” Claire said.
Violet sighed like a mother getting ready to teach a child and placed her hand on Claire’s. “I trust Frank, and getting married to him was one of the best decisions of my life. I am not nervous, and I don’t think you should be for me. Nerves are just an indicator you’re not sure about something, but you’re doing it anyway. I’m not unsure. I know. Frank is it for me, and I’m happy I took his last name. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”