James nodded, but stopped Daniel with a light touch before he reached the door. “I want you to know that all those guys, the losers...were also complete fools to let you slip through their fingers.” Daniel’s eyes shone, and James nodded. “None of them had a clue.” Daniel squeezed his fingers, and James felt that pull once again. Daniel’s lips parted, and James didn’t see the dress, the makeup, or the fake chest. All he saw was the man under the trappings, the one with the kind heart, hiding it under a veneer of sass and one-liners.
He was becoming more and more confused by the hour, not about his feelings, but by what was real. So many of the things between them were built on an illusion that James had no idea what the underlying truth was. The shitty thing was that he was responsible for the sleight of hand in this situation, and that settled in his gut like a lump. Even though his heart told him to just back away and think things through, put some distance between them, he still drew nearer, and felt Daniel doing the same.
“You’re going to be late,” Mom called from the hallway outside, interrupting the moment. She sounded more than a little subdued, probably smarting from the whole dress incident. There had been raised voices, more tears, and as far as James could hear, even an actual apology from his mother. The bubble around them burst, and James stood straighter, turning away to adjust himself so he didn’t flash a boner at his mother. In fact, that notion was enough to send things racing south...fast. This trip was turning into a marathon that showed no signs of ending, and the thing was, they had barely started. But, damn, he was so grateful that Daniel was here with him. Going through this alone would have been hell.
Chapter Eight
Daniel wasn’t quite sure what to think of the church. It certainly wasn’t what he had been picturing in his head. Somehow, the image in his mind was of a white church with a steeple, reminiscent of a Currier & Ives postcard. This modern building with odd angles and a bell tower that jutted out like a misshapen ship’s prow made him think that maybe the architect had smoked crack just before sitting down at the drafting table.
“This is it?” Daniel asked Holly in hushed tones, almost expecting her to tell him it was a joke and that they were really going to the church down the street.
“I know,” Holly whispered, exaggerating her lips.
“The old church was very traditional, with wooden beamed ceilings and long pews. It was white with a traditional bell tower. The only thing left of it is the bell in that monstrosity.” James pointed to the imitation of a ship’s prow off the front.
“What happened to it?” Daniel asked.
“Reverend Peterson,” Holly spat like the name was a curse word. “They hired him, like, five years ago, and within a year he was raising money and got the board to knock down the old building and start work on that.” She took Howard’s hand. “It’s still a sore spot. I liked the old church. It was the church I grew up in, and we used to play hide-and-seek in parts of the old basement.” Holly shook her head as Howard pulled open the door and held it for the rest of them.
Lights came on inside, and Daniel turned to the left, practically taking a step back. He shared a moment with James; he couldn’t see Holly wanting to get married here. The back of the sanctuary was a wall of glass, and beyond that was a huge open space, more like a theater than a church. The urge to say something naughty crossed his mind. The altar sat on what looked more like a stage than anything else, and to one side stood a platform nearly eight feet high with a glass lectern and microphone. “Someone really likes to be the center of attention, don’t they?” Daniel whispered to James. “I could do one hell of a show in this place.”
James snickered as the reverend swept dramatically down the aisle. “Howard, Holly, you’re just in time.” He smiled brightly, and a zing went up Daniel’s spine. Daniel understood what Holly meant the other day. That smile, the energy—all of it was designed to impress and be warm, but something was definitely off. Daniel couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was.
“James, it’s good to see you again.” Instead of shaking his hand, Reverend Peterson drew James into an awkward hug. Daniel practically growled; it didn’t seem to him like the fake intimacy was welcome.
“Reverend, this is Daniella,” Holly said. “She’s James’s girlfriend and came with him to the wedding. They agreed to come along with Howard and me for moral support and because the two of us are a little overwhelmed right now.”
“Of course. We welcome as much family involvement in our wedding festivities as possible. I love to make these occasions as special as we can, with as much joy and energy as I can. Weddings are the most important day in a couple’s life. It’s the start of a grand journey, and I love that I can help you begin that...together.” He gestured down out of the sanctuary. “Please come to my office and we can go over the arrangements with all of you. Afterwards, I’ll take Holly and Howard’s testimony and prepare them for the blessing that is marriage.” Everything the reverend said was true, but it seemed verbose and ostentatious.
The reverend glided down the hallway. His movements were theatrical. Daniel stayed close to James, sharing silent glances. “Is this guy for real?” he mouthed to James.
“Drama queen,” James mouthed back, and Daniel chuckled silently, taking James’s arm.
They entered the room, and it was unlike any minister’s office he had ever seen. It appeared more like that of a CEO, with large windows, a conference table, and a large glass-topped desk that would have been at home on the pages of Architectural Digest. “Please take a seat at the table, I’ll be right with you.” No pictures hung on the walls, religious or otherwise. Diplomas were framed, larger than life, from prestigious universities, proclaiming the reverend’s credentials and achievements for all to see...and admire, Daniel was sure.
Reverend Peterson went to the desk, posing behind it before lifting a folder, drawing their attention. At first Daniel couldn’t understand why the reverend seemed taller, until he shifted slightly and Daniel realized that the floor was raised behind the desk in order to set him higher. That was bizarre. The reverend returned with the folder and sat down in the empty chair. “We made a little change to the program,” Howard said as he slid over a copy of the updated program for the service. “Somehow some of the songs were changed.”
The reverend slipped the program into the file, barely glancing at it.
“Reverend?” A soft knock followed.
“Yes, Bernice,” he said, standing. She spoke quietly and looked something like the Saturday Night Live church lady, complete with pinched expression. He approached her and spoke softly for a few seconds before turning back to them. “Excuse me just a few minutes.” He followed her away.
“See what I mean?” Holly whispered.