Fighting tears, I nodded, and turned to look at Coco. She was more beautiful than I’d ever seen her, her thick dark hair piled on her head, her skin radiant, her eyes shining. “You ready?” I said softly.
She inhaled and exhaled. “I think so. Is he up there?”
I nodded, glancing back to the altar. “He is. And he looks gorgeous and happy and excited. Grinning ear to ear.”
She smiled too. “Good.” She looked at her father, a tall, heavy-set man with black hair graying at the temples. “Ready, Dad?”
He nodded, and offered his elbow. “Ready.”
“OK,” the wedding coordinator said as the string quartet at the front of the church began the Bach piece Coco had chosen for the processional. “First bridesmaid.”
That was me. I looked at Mia, then Coco, and smiled. “See you up there.”
Coco had chosen beautiful bridesmaid dresses—emerald green bias-cut satin with a draped scoop neck and low back with crisscrossed straps. It was long, and felt lovely swishing against my legs as I walked up the aisle. Mia followed me a minute later, and then Nick’s little niece and nephew charmed the crowd as flower girl and ring bearer.
Finally it was Coco’s moment. My throat squeezed as she glided up the aisle in her ivory wedding dress, also bias-cut satin. The neckline draped just like ours did, but instead of an open back, hers was covered with a sheer layer of tulle covered with beads and crystals in an art deco motif. Just like I’d done at Mia’s wedding, I looked back and forth between bride and groom, fighting tears just like they were. It was so obvious how crazy they were for one another.
Mia reached for my hand, and the two of us clung to each other as Coco’s father kissed her cheek and gave her away to Nick. We only let go twice, once when I had to go up and do a reading, and the second time for communion, which I took but felt guilty about. (Although isn’t guilt half the point of Catholicism?)
Several times throughout the mass, I looked over at Mia and saw her smiling at Lucas, and he back at her.
I was genuinely happy for both my best friends. They’d found exactly what they were looking for, when they least expected it. Yes sir, I was genuinely happy for them, and not a bit jealous. Nope, nope, nope, not one bit. Not even a teensy little bit. Not even—
Oh my God.
I blinked several times at the guy in the black coat coming in the back of the church and sneaking up a side aisle to an open pew. It looked like Charlie, but it couldn’t be. Could it?
Mia elbowed me. “Is that who I think it is?” she whispered in my ear.
I gaped as the guy took off the heavy black coat to reveal a gray suit and white shirt, although the tie was deep red this time.
It was totally Charlie. My girly parts knew it even before my brain did, because they tingled and tightened up like they had some sort of Charlie radar. My nipples peaked, and I brought my bouquet up a little to cover them. Dammit, why hadn’t I had cups sewn in like Mia had?
As if he knew what I was doing, Charlie grinned at me, looking more handsome than I’d ever seen him. My cheeks grew warm with a blush, and my heart rioted in my chest. What was he doing here? What about his plans? Why hadn’t he told me he was coming? I was so happy to see him, I couldn’t stop smiling.
The groom kissed the bride, the mass ended, and the guests all cheered when the priest introduced Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Lupo for the first time. I whistled and clapped along with everyone, feeling so good I practically floated back down the aisle on the arm of Nick’s brother Michael. I tried to make eye contact with Charlie when I passed the row he was in, but the other guests blocked him.
The bridal party was supposed to go directly to the back of the church and sneak out a side door to wait for the crowd to leave. Then we’d take pictures on the altar before piling in the limos to go to Coco’s house. Reluctantly, I let Michael lead me to the room where immediate family and the newlyweds waited.
Mia and I headed straight for Coco, and the three of us squealed, jumping up and down, tears dripping from our eyes. I hugged them both tight and then hugged Nick and kissed his cheek. “Congratulations,” I said, wiping my kiss mark off his cheek.
“Thank you.” He wiped at it too. “I think I’m going to be covered in red lipstick by the end of the night.”
I laughed. “For the rest of your life, actually.”
He smiled and pulled Coco tight to his side, burying his face in her neck.
“Coco, I need a minute. Is that OK?” I asked her. “I think Charlie showed up.”
“Of course,” she said happily. “It will take a bit for the church to clear, then we’ll do pictures. Just meet us at the altar, and please tell him to come to the house!”
“I will. Thanks.” I raced out of the room and back into the vestibule at the back of the church, which was still emptying out. A few people smiled and said hello and what a beautiful wedding it was, and I nodded without stopping to chat. I had to find Charlie before he left. Side-stepping a few guests, I hurried back into the sanctuary, but it was already empty. Disappointed, I turned around.
He was waiting for me at the door.
“Hey,” I said, rushing toward him. He opened his arms, and I flew into them, forgetting all about the last awkward goodbye we’d had. I threw my arms around him and inhaled his scent. “What are you doing here?”
“I moved some things around to be here. I didn’t want to miss it. Sorry I was late.”
“That’s OK.” I stepped back and looked at him, my heart refusing to slow down. “I’m glad you came. Coco says you have to come to the house too.”