Chapter 26
Ivan
Alex was my first buddy to get married. I had to admit--- the idea of settling down was still far from my mind, but as I watched him and Rosie exchange vows under the white gazebo that had been set up beside the lake, I began to wonder what it would be like to have that kind of love and contentment, the assurance that someone completely accepted and trusted you for who you were and was willing to give you unconditional love for eternity.
Unknowingly my eyes drifted to Cassy who looked exquisite with her long blonde hair arranged in a loose braid with pink roses intertwined into the strands. She was seated on the other side with her best friend Charlene, wearing a classic light pink dress with a low neckline and a long slit skirt.
I ached to be with her, imagining how it would feel to be sitting beside the only woman I had ever loved. This wasn’t how I had pictured us during this occasion. Sadly, I was filled with regrets that I could do nothing about for now.
I looked at her intently, wondering if she would still be willing to give me another chance now that we’d had time to somehow heal. Her eyes were glistening with tears as she watched the couple.
When the pastor declared Alex and Rosie as husband and wife, everybody broke into applause and cheer. And as they shared their first kiss as a married couple, I saw Cassy brush away a tear and then look at me across the aisle.
She registered surprise upon seeing my eyes on her, but she still dared to meet my gaze. Despite the distance, we seemed to be caught in a spell, our eyes uttering words that only our hearts could hear and understand. My heart soared with hope. Perhaps there was still a chance for us.
I hardly noticed someone tapping me on the shoulder as the crowd gathered round the couple and showered them with rose petals.
“Ivan,” a female voice said in my ear. I turned to my side to see a beautiful brown-haired woman that I would instantly recognize anywhere. It was my ex-girlfriend from senior high school.
“Jill!” I exclaimed in disbelief. “I didn’t think you were coming. When did you arrive from London?”
The young woman smiled brightly. “Just two days ago. How are you?”
“Fine, fine,” I said, smiling. We had actually had a good break-up, but had lost touch over the years since I had left town for college and heard that she’d gone to London for an art scholarship.
We chatted some more as the crowd dispersed around us. From the corner of my eye, I saw Cassy approaching. But when she saw me with Jill, she stopped and frowned. I was about to excuse myself from the conversation with Jill and run after her when she quickly left the scene.
“Who was that?” Jill wondered. “She doesn’t look familiar.”
“She’s the niece of Ellen Young, if you remember her.”
“Oh, I see,” Jill said. “She’s so pretty, I thought it was some celebrity that Rosie met in the city.”
I simply smiled. “Yes, very pretty and very special.”
Jill grinned. “Sounds like someone special to you. And she looked quite jealous a while back. You should go talk to her.”
“I guess,” was all I said.
“Let me find my husband and kids in the crowd, and we’ll catch up later.”
“Husband and kids?” I asked in surprise. “I didn’t know. Congratulations.”
Jill laughed. “We met in London and here we are with two toddlers in tow. You’ll meet them later, I promise.”
“Yeah, sure, I’d like that,” I told her sincerely.
“Great seeing you again, Ivan,” she said before heading toward the other guests milling about.
I smiled, truly glad that Jill had found her happiness. Now it was my turn to find mine.
The sky was getting dark, creating a more romantic atmosphere suited for the wedding. With the lanterns and tea lights spread around the place, the creatively arranged flowers and driftwood pieces on the tables, and the smiling guests settling into their respective seats, everything seemed picture-perfect. I was of course happy for the newlyweds, despite the doubts and fears that gripped my heart when it came to my own romance.
When I checked the seating arrangement, I wasn’t surprised to see that I’d been placed with our local friends instead of with the football team players. After all, my teammates had one table occupied already along with their dates. But what I hadn’t counted on was that Cassy and Charlene had also been seated at my table. Now I don’t know if Alex and Rosie had intended that or had just forgotten to change it.
Naturally, the table was already almost occupied. The only empty seat was the one beside Cassy, which had probably been rigged by our friends.
Glancing at Jenny and Mel and the others at the table, I took my seat and greeted everybody. They all greeted me as if nothing was up. Charlene said hello but had to leave at once to retouch Rosie’s makeup.
“Hey,” I said to Cassy. “Beautiful wedding, huh?”
“Yeah,” Cassy answered. “Alex and Rosie are lucky to have each other. They make such a sweet couple.”
“Definitely meant to be,” I agreed. “Kind of rare these days…”
“You bet,” she replied with a tinge of sarcasm.
I ignored the tone of voice and tried to initiate a conversation again, but then, she cut me off and said, “I think there’s someone trying to catch your attention.”
I followed her gaze and saw Jill coming toward us. “Ah, that’s Jill, my ex-girlfriend from high school.”
“Oh, nice,” Cassy remarked with a forced smile. “Go ahead.”
I couldn’t help chuckling, which made her snort with a dagger look at me. I wanted to kiss her right then and there because she looked so cute and charming getting obviously jealous. The hope that glimmered within me surged.
I stood up and grabbed her hand before I could have second thoughts. On impulse, I pulled her toward me as Jill came up. Cassy was so astonished she didn’t even have time to react.
“Hi, Jill! I’d like you to meet my friend Cassy,” I said casually. “Cassy, this is Jill, my high school friend. She’s also a very good friend of Rosie.”
Cassy smiled broadly, but I could tell that she was very uncomfortable and annoyed. On the other hand, Jill was all friendly, unmindful of the other woman’s real feelings.
I couldn’t deny the fact that I was enjoying the moment, seeing the present apple of my eye squirming and looking downright jealous.
Suddenly, a four-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl came running toward us. They were giggling the whole time, shouting, “Mommy! Mommy!”
I smiled even wider. It was just the right timing.
The children hugged Jill, who hugged them back and introduced them to us. “Ivan and Cassy, meet my precious little ones.”
Cassy’s eyes widened in apparent shock. She glanced at me, but I ignored her and simply said hello to the kids. Then I added to Jill, “So glad to meet your adorable children. Where’s your husband?”
Jill turned around just as the kids both exclaimed, “Daddy!”
A tall man with sandy hair came forward. He seemed a little bit older than us. As he joined Jill, he put an arm around her and shook our hands. “It’s nice to meet both of you,” he said.
I sneaked a glance at Cassy who still seemed quite bewildered.
The reception was starting already, so Jill and her husband said goodbye and went to their own table with their children.
Cassy sat in silence, even when Charlene came back. She probably pretended to focus on the speeches and all the wedding traditions that took place, but studying her face, I could almost hear her mind whirring with all sorts of wild thoughts.