*****
All of the other guys had made it through the sanctuary doors while I stood by Terrell’s side trying to keep the ring bearer from fidgeting too much. Eventually I gave up when I realized he was moving around like crazy because he needed to use the bathroom. Pete, Terrell’s friend from high school, pranced down the aisle, making a big show of letting his female counterpart’s hand go when it was time for them to separate at the altar. The few people speculating from the pews laughed and I spotted Sam’s boyfriend sitting near the back alone.
I zeroed in on him, wondering things I had no business wondering – how long they’d been together, what kind of guy he was, if he treats her well, how serious they are. Like I said, things I had no business wondering. It wasn’t until Terrell nudged me that I realized that the coordinator had been trying to get my attention. I met her persistent gaze as she motioned for me to come down from the altar to where she stood. Confused, I was on my way over to see what she wanted, only for her to hold up a hand for me to slow my pace some.
What the…
I made it to the center of the aisle with one arm bent behind my back like the feisty woman instructed and the doors of the church opened. My heart leapt to my throat, but I didn’t let it show as I stared at a very nervous, very shaken Sam. This wasn’t the plan.
Sam
One by one our line depleted and finally the girl before me stepped inside and the doors closed behind her. The coordinator’s assistant called me up to my mark, situated the plastic flowers that we practiced with in my hand, and then reminded me to smile. The next thing I know, the door creaked open and my heart sank to my stomach…and stayed there.
A rush of emotion came over me all at once and I felt my legs trembling, threatening to give way beneath me. It was him, AJ, standing there waiting.
Maisha said it wouldn’t be like this; I was supposed to be walking down the aisle alone.
Clearly, either the plans had changed, or…we’d both been duped. I could feel my pulse thudding against my necklace and the assistant whispered and urgent, “GO!” She had no idea what she was asking me to do. The few onlookers who came to rehearsal, including Jason, slowly turned to stare as I stood there frozen in place. A.J. looked as surprised as I did. In that moment that our eyes locked, right after the shock wore off, I swear he smiled a little. Couldn’t have, though. He picked up on my apprehension and held his hand out, encouraging me to walk to him. Against my will, my feet began to move the rest of my body in his direction.
As I approached him slowly, I couldn’t help but to, again, take in the changes he’d undergone. Those arms and shoulders were killing me. Staring, I sucked in a breath. He was always well-built, but now? His physique was obviously more defined, and I focused in on how the sleeves of the gray t-shirt that he wore hugged his solid biceps.
Mmm mmm mmm…
His face was the same, but there was an unfamiliar coldness in his eyes; however, something began to happen the closer I got to him – it was almost as if the ice surrounding his heart was beginning to melt. There we stood face to face, unable to run away, and I was expected to take his arm. His eyebrow shot up in a ‘well, here goes nothing’ sort of way as he turned to stand beside me.