Page 124 of Never Not Friends

Camila shakes her head. “We’re not talking about it.”

“So we’re all just going to avoid the giant elephant in the room?”

“Yes,” I say at the exact same time Carly says, “Surely you’re talking about the scandalous amount of cleavage you’re showing.”

I’m grateful for the change of subject.

Blair looks down innocently. “Oh, this?” She shrugs, looking back up at us. “You never know who you’re going to meet at a wedding. You have to be prepared at all times.”

“I don’t think your options are that great for tonight.” Camila points across the room to a nice-looking guy talking to Vinny’s grandma. “All you have is Vinny’s cousin, Bob.”

“Bob?” Her nose wrinkles. “As in Bobby?”

“No, just Bob,” I confirm.

Blair immediately loses interest.

“Welcome, everyone. We’d like to get started.” All eyes turn to the woman holding the microphone with a short, black bob—clearly Sandy, the wedding coordinator. She gives lengthy instructions about how the rehearsal will go and where everyone should line up. We all obey, not exactly quietly, but the wedding party at least gets to where we need to be.

Ironically, Blair is lined up to walk down the aisle with Bob.

Carly with Nate.

Camila with Hess.

Me with Vinny’s work friend Colton.

The music starts, and Sandy cues each couple to walk.

Colton and I follow in line, but as the aisle clears out ahead of us, my view opens up to just Vinny and the officiant.

It’s a sight I’ve imagined a thousand times, both as the bride and as the maid of honor.

And now it’s here, even if this is just a practice.

Vinny’s head is down.

Eyes on the ground.

He paces back and forth like a caged animal.

Not enough for people to notice something off.

But enough for me to notice.

A few steps from the front, he stops moving and looks up.

Our stares lock.

And something excruciating twists inside.

My gaze instantly drops.

Colton and I split apart to our own sides.

But without Juliet there, we’re facing each other, and suddenly, it’s all too easy to imagine if this were our wedding practice. If everything had worked out the way I’d wished it had.

“Now the music will change,” Sandy says, and I shift my focus to her. “Officiant, that’s your cue to tell everyone to stand for the bride.”