Smooth AF

Chapter 1

Diana

Today is Ebony’s wedding day. This means I’m rushing around in a form-fitting bridesmaid dress that's clinging to me in the most annoying places, performing my Maid of Honor duties — doing things like ensuring the other bridesmaids are ready to go and the flowers are all in the right places.

I keep checking on the altar, ensuring the decorations are the way Ebony wants them and checking that the music will turn on when she’s ready to walk.

Today has to go perfectly because she’s trusting me with a huge task. It’s driving me crazy, thinking I might mess something up for her. Ebony and I are such good friends now, and I don’t want to ruin it by accidentally ruining something on her special day.

 Suddenly, I hear her call for me down the hallway. I rush in to see what she needs me to do next. She’s standing at the full-length mirror in the corner, holding the back of her dress with her fingertips. She looks so beautiful in the gorgeous but overpriced gown she’s wearing.

It fits her body perfectly, accentuating her curves, and I envy how she’s glowing so happily. Seeing her this way makes me emotional, but I’m so proud of her. She deserves every single piece of the happiness Cristoff’s giving her, and it warms my heart to be here sharing this special day. That’s why I’m trying my best to make everything run smoothly.

“Is everything ready?” she asks when my reflection appears behind her.

“It is! You look gorgeous, Ebony! Are you ready to go?” I ask.

She nods, breathing deeply as we walk down the hall to the ceremony. The music plays, and we all walk in pairs in the line to the altar, joining Cristoff in his fancy suit.

The ceremony is beautiful. As the officiant remarks on every step they will take in their future together, I’m thinking how happy I am for them. They have the person in their lives to make it worth living. The person who makes them want to better themselves and the family they are.

I’m over the moon for her, but it also makes me emotional. I dream of a wedding like this for myself — one with a long flowing dress and the perfect bouquet.

But I know I’ll never have it because I resigned myself to being alone forever. Sometimes I think I’m too hard on myself, but then I remember why I deserve to be alone. I deserve to sit around thinking about it and pay for my mistakes.

I don’t want to look past the pain that I feel for my actions. I don’t want to try to move on. There’s only one man that will change my feelings, and I can count on never seeing him again.

I lose myself in thinking of how lucky she is to find someone like Cristoff. To have the love for each other they do. I clap as he kisses his bride, wrapping up their beautiful ceremony.

The guests clap and cheer as they make their way out, and I follow closely behind. ***

Guests dance wildly during the reception as champagne opens and laughter fills the room. I stand next to Ebony as she clings to Cristoff, soaking in the fun and feeling utterly happy for them. But I’m also happy for myself because the wedding didn’t fall apart on my watch!

Suddenly, the doors slam shut with a loud thud. I dart my attention toward the noise, trying to see who’s causing it. A familiar face is walking toward the crowd of guests, and my heart stops when I realize why it’s so familiar.

Oh my God! No way… Is that Joseph? It can’t be him, can it? I wonder until Ebony starts waving at him and the wondering fades. Surprise fills my expression as he approaches us, and shock covers his face when our eyes meet.

My whole body feels weird. I’m not ready for this, I didn’t think we’d cross paths again, and now it’s catching me entirely off guard. I decide to play it cool and pretend that I don’t know who he is. I don’t want to cause an issue at her reception and ruin it.

Is he doing the same thing I am? I wonder when he starts looking uninterested.

Ebony introduces us, and I’m so nervous I can hardly stand still. My whole body is shaking, and my heart is pounding so loudly it’s making me dizzy.

Fuck. What’s happening? Why am I feeling like this? It’s been years, and he still has this effect on me.

Suddenly, someone pulls Ebony away, leaving the two of us alone.

“Hey, Diana! It’s good to see you! You look amazing!” he says, greeting me like we’re old friends seeing each other again after a few years instead of two people who share a horrible past.

He’s acting like a completely different person than the Joseph I remember. His powerful blue eyes have a certain sharpness, and I can’t stop staring. His voice seems more profound. The way it all adds together tells me he’s grown up.

His presence in the room feels more prominent than it did in the old days. We were basically just kids then. Now, with his muscles bulging and his curly black hair looking neater than ever, there’s a subtle by profound difference. His chiseled smile still drives me crazy…

“Thank you. You look nice, too,” I say, though I tear my eyes away from him.

Please do yourself a favor and act like you don’t know him. He’s only making small talk. Just play it cool, I tell myself, nodding along.

“She’s lucky to have you as her maid of honor. It looks like you took a lot of time to plan everything. I’m sorry for being late and making an entrance. I got lost. I almost gave up trying to find it but I’m thrilled I didn’t,” he says, eyeballing me.

What the hell is he doing? Are we really going to talk and act like everything’s okay? I still remember the look on his face after the last incident between us. He can’t possibly be over it, can he?

Then I remember how many years ago it was. Maybe I’m the only one who isn’t over it. The thought is sobering.

“It was nice talking to you, Joseph. I’m sorry, but they’re summoning me over there. I better go,” I say and walk away. I need to get away from him before I say or do something stupid.

My feet start carrying me away, but he stops me,

“Hey, would you want to catch up? For old time’s sake?” he asks. My heart flutters at his question. I stare at him as my pulse races

This is a bad idea, I know it… But I miss him… I can’t get the image of the heartbreak on his face out of my head. And those deep blue eyes are drawing me in all over again…

It’s like my emotions are barely in control of my body. They’re telling me I can’t go, but my body wants to tell him yes. Is it okay to do this?