She had imagined folding chairs full of family and friends. Instead, there were her parents, Jake’s parents. Her best friend Jenny and his beer buddies, Zach and Rob. That was it. No cousins, no aunts or uncles, no other friends. She’s made sure to find a cheap package in the hopes that some people would come, but no. Even her brother hadn’t made it. She’d cried the night he told her.
“Leah,” Jake said, walking with her on the beach the night before. “I know this isn’t what you wanted. We can have a party when we get back, okay? Invite everyone who couldn’t make it.” She nodded, her expression vacant. She’d cried too much to shed any more tears.
The Justice married them, and Jake kissed her, and it was over. In a way, she was glad. Jake took her down the beach, away from their family and friends. He motioned for her to sit and she did. He took a place beside her.
“You are my best friend in the whole world, Leah. What can I do?”
Sighing, she fought disappointment, tried to find something happy. The wind blew sand at them and Leah doubled her hands behind her. “You can get me out of this dress. Damn, I itch everywhere.”
“Whoa. Not the request I expected,” Jake said with a laugh, not hesitating at all in her request. In just her underwear and veil, she sat back down. He stretched out, hoping she had something planned. Instead, she put his head in her lap and combed her fingers through his hair.
“So this is how forever starts,” she said, still depressed.
“Yes. It only get better from here.”
That made her smile.
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