"Thanks, I happen to know that you're the most beautiful, special woman in the world, and Laurie's the best kid. I'm not joking when I say I love her already."
"I know you're not," Whitney replies. "There was only one thing that would have made this day better."
"What's that?" I ask, shifting around as I hear the desire in her voice. Even over the phone line, her voice sends shivers down my spine and tingles through my body.
"If I could have gotten a kiss before you drove off," Whitney says, "and maybe a little more?"
"Tomorrow you’ll have all you want,” I reassure her. "I love you, Whitney."
"I love you too, Troy. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Chapter 19
Whitney
The church is crowded, but thankfully, someone made the decision before everyone even started showing up to turn on the air conditioning. It's a hot late summer day, easily ninety-five or so, and the idea of trying to sit through a wedding without air conditioning makes my legs quiver at just the thought.
Or maybe my legs are quivering because of Troy. We are standing on opposite sides of the altar, him as one of Pete's groomsmen while I get to be a bridesmaid. He's absolutely ravishing in his black suit and silver tie, and more than once during the ceremony so far, I've lost track of what's going on as I just stare at him. Troy's noticed and returned my look with the burning intensity of his own passion. I can't wait until the reception, when we get to make it public.
We aren't serving as best man or maid of honor, mainly because he’s too busy with the Hawks and I, well, I’m a bit of a surprise to a lot of people. Some of the people in the church didn't know that I was back in town, and even fewer knew that I had a daughter, even though I've never hidden the fact. Laurie is sitting with Mom in the third row on the bride's side, shifting around a little bit as the adults go through their boring ceremony, and she has to wear the Easter dress that she hates, the one with the lace and frills on her socks. Mom's discovered that she's a natural as a grandmother, even if she is the same age as some of the other moms in town. I think she's enjoying the experience again, now that time and financial security are on her side.
Dani is resplendent in her white, sleek bridal gown, all silk and satin. She'd decided against a veil, finding the idea a little silly, but the gown itself hugs her body well, and her hair is pinned back with pearl and diamond studded combs. She's been smiling and crying most of the ceremony, but they've been just a trickle, adding two little gleaming trails that glisten in the sunlight coming through the stained glass windows that light up her face.
"And so do you, Peter Vasily Barkovich, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in good times and in bad, to love, honor, and cherish, for as long as you both shall live?"
I can hear almost everyone hold their breath as Pete swallows a lump in his throat, I guess the product of too many Lifetime movies or something, but Pete's just trying to lubricate his vocal cords, and he nods before speaking. "I do."
The priest smiles and turns his attention to Dani, who's beaming now, barely able to wait to reply. "And do you, Danielle Carlotta Vaughn, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold—"
"I do, I do!" Dani nearly yells, cutting the priest off. She blushes, and everyone in the crowd has a little relieved and warm laughter at her enthusiasm. "Sorry. Go on."
"Oh, I don't think I need to," the priest ad-libs. "I'm pretty sure the answer is going to be the same. Okay then, the rings."
The exchange of the rings goes without a hitch, and as the new couple retreats down the aisle, I can't help it. Looking at Dani in her dress, her hair golden in the sun and Pete looking so handsome and happy in his tuxedo, I want it to be me there. My mind wavers, and I see me, my own dark hair instead of Dani's blonde, and instead of Pete . . .
"Hey, it's our turn," Rita, Dani's friend from State who is serving as bridesmaid, whispers, jogging my elbow. "Come on."
I follow Rita while Pete's brother leads the groomsmen down the aisle, Troy to my left. "You were daydreaming," Troy whispers as we head into the foyer of the church. "What's up?"
"Oh, you know . . . just a girl being a girl," I reply, not quite ready to say to him what I was really thinking. It's too fast, and I don’t want to frighten him. I mean, I already dropped a bomb on him with Laurie, even if he is head over heels about her.