What am I, chopped liver?
Crystal leaned back against the sofa and reached for a throw pillow, which she hugged to her chest. “But Phillip’s mom convinced me Sienna’s the right choice, and I agree. I mean, she was there for me through the breakup with Phillip, and I’ve shared my deepest, darkest secrets with her.”
Well, hello. You’ve shared them with me too. Remember? Who talked you down from the ledge just three months ago when Phillip put the brakes on your relationship?
Crystal’s eyes pooled with tears. “Oh, Mari!” She tossed the pillow aside, grabbed my hands again, and gave them a squeeze. “I’m so excited.”
“Me too.” And I meant it. In my heart of hearts, I meant it. Even if it took brushing aside any crumbs of bitterness from my heart. My one and only sister was getting married. I needed to be there for her.
“I do need to ask one special favor of you, Mari.” She gave me a pleading look. I recognized the pouty lip, of course. I’d seen it a zillion times before.
“What’s that?”
“Well, you haven’t met Phillip’s cousin, Tyler.”
“Ooh, he has a cousin?” Potential love interest, perhaps?
“Yes.” Crystal’s nose wrinkled, and I could read the concern in her eyes. “See, here’s the deal. Tyler is only fourteen.”
“Fourteen?” I swallowed hard.
“He’s going to be a groomsman, of course. I mean, they’re cousins, after all, both of them only children. I know, technically, the two aren’t close in age. And Tyler is, well, socially awkward.”
“Socially awkward?”
“He’s always telling goofy jokes at the wrong time, interrupting people when they’re talking, dressing oddly just to get attention. Stuff like that. You know the type, right? I think some boys just go through this when they’re sloshing their way through puberty.”
“I’m confused. What does this have to do with me?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Crystal giggled. “I got distracted. You know how the bridesmaids and groomsmen are paired up. Well, Tyler will need a partner for the ceremony.”
“You’re pairing me up with the socially awkward fourteen-year-old?” At this news, I leaned back against the sofa cushions and pinched my eyes shut. What was she thinking? After a few slow breaths, I opened my eyes and looked at my sister. The happiness in her eyes almost made me think I could handle all this.
Almost.
“I knew you would understand, Mari! Oh, and don’t worry . . . he’s just your height. Of course, that would make him a lot shorter than the other boys his age, but, if you don’t count the acne, he looks a lot older.” Crystal’s nose wrinkled once again. “As picky as Mrs. Havenhurst is, I’m surprised she hasn’t insisted her sister-in-law take him to a dermatologist. I mean, it’s not really my business, but in a roundabout way, it kind of is. You know?”
No, I didn’t know. And I didn’t care to, thank you very much. She’d lost me at the words fourteen-year-old.
“I knew I could count on you, Mari. You’re the sweetest person I’ve ever known. Of course, with you and Tyler both being five foot two, you guys will be at the end of the line, but I knew you wouldn’t mind that part. You know, his coloring is even a lot like yours—sandy blond hair, blue eyes.”
“Wait. End of the line?”
“Well, sure, Mari. I mean, you’re”—she paused and her nose wrinkled for the third time—“petite.”
“You mean short.”
“Well, five foot two is a great height . . . for you. But the other girls happen to be taller. So I’m putting everyone in order according to height. That’s another reason Mrs. Havenhurst suggested Sienna—she’s five nine, the tallest in the bunch. Cassie’s five seven, so she’ll be the first bridesmaid. We’ll work our way down from there.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.” She gave me a puzzled look. “Are your feelings hurt, Mari? Please tell me they’re not.”
I couldn’t really answer without lying, so I hesitated before finally coming back with, “Just having kind of an off day.”
“Well, get back on again, okay?” Crystal clasped her hands together at her chest and released a girlish sigh. “I’m counting on you to stay focused. We have a wedding to plan!”
So my sister did want my help. Maybe I should just stand back and let Sienna perform her job as maid of honor, and wait for Crystal to tell me what she needed me to do. I certainly didn’t want to overstep like a certain future mother-in-law already had.
And from the look of sheer joy in Crystal’s eyes, I’d better snap out of my bad mood and focus on the bride to be. This was all about her, after all. With a forced smiled, I made up my mind to do just that.