CHAPTER EIGHTY–NINE–The Secrets We Keep
As she headed back to the groomsmen’s suite, Laura’s phone buzzed again. Another message from the bridesmaids: “Julia’s ready and looks amazing. How’s Ryan holding up?
Laura typed back a quick reply: “Nervous but excited. We’ll be heading down soon.
Back in the sulte, the atmosphere was charged with nervous energy. The groomsmen were adjusting their ties one last time, and Ryan was pacing back and forth, taking deep breaths,
“Alright, guys,” Laura announced. “It’s almost time. Let’s line up.”
As the groomsmen began to file out of the room, Ryan caught Laura’s arm. “Laura, walt. Cant talk to you for a second?”
The others filed out, leaving Ryan and Laura alone in the suite.
“What’s up?” Laura asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Ryan took a deep breath. “I just… I wanted to thank you. Not just for today, but for everything. Your friendship means and having you here, standing with me… It means more than I can say.”
Laura felt a lump form in her throat. “Ryan, 1-
so much to me,
Before she could finish, Ryan pulled her into a tight hug. Laura closed her eyes, allowing herself one moment to savor the feeling of being in his arms. Then, she gently pulled back, fixing a smile on her face.
“Come on,” she said. “You’ve got a wedding to get to.”
They joined the other groomsmen In the hallway. Tim gave them a questioning look but said nothing. As they lined up, ready to proceed to the ceremony, Laura took a deep breath, pushing aside her conflicting emotions. She had a job to do, a role to play. And no matter what her heart felt, she was determined to play that role perfectly.
The sun streamed through the stained–glass windows of the elegant church, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the rows of expectant guests. Laura McKenna took a deep breath, smoothing down her tailored suit as she stood at the entrance of the aisle. She glanced at Tim Brooks, who gave her a reassuring nod
“Ready?” he whispered.
Laura managed a small smile. “As I’ll ever be.”
The organist began to play, and Laura stepped forward, her heart pounding in rhythm with the music. She walked down the aisle, aware of the curious glances from the guests, it wasn’t every day they saw a woman among the groomsmen.
As she reached the altar, Laura’s eyes met Ryan’s. He stood tall and handsome in his tuxedo, a mixture of nervousness and excitement dancing in his eyes. He gave her a quick wink, and Laura felt her heart skip a beat. She took her place next to Tim, forcing herself to focus on the ceremony ahead.
The bridesmaids followed, each gliding down the aisle in flowing gowns of soft lavender, Laura couldn’t help but admire their grace, feeling slightly out of place in her suit among the sea of dresses.
A collective “aww” rose from the guests as the flower girl, Ryan’s niece Lily, made her entrance. The five–year–old tossed rose petals with enthusiasm, occasionally stopping to make sure she had covered every inch of the aisle.
“Lily, keep going,” Laura heard Ryan’s sister stage–whisper from the front row. Lily looked up, grinned, and continued her petal- spreading mission with renewed vigor.
Next came the ring bearer, Julia’s nephew Max, looking adorably serious in his miniature tuxedo. He walked slowly, his eyes fixed on the pillow bearing the rings as if they might disappear if he looked away.
As Max reached the altar, the organist transitioned into the familiar strains of the wedding march. The guests rose to their feet, all eyes turned expectantly toward the church doors.
Seconds ticked by, but the doors remained closed. Laura glanced at Ryan, noticing his sinile beginning to falter. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes never leaving the entrance.
The organist, sensing the delay, smoothly transitioned back to the beginning of the piece. Still, no bride appeared.
A murmur began to ripple through the crowd. Laura could hear snippets of whispered conversations.
“Is she just running late?”
“Maybe there’s a problem with the dress?”
CHAPTER EIGHTY–NINE – The Secrets
rets We Keep
“I hope everything’s alright…”
Ryan’s best man, Tom, leaned in close to him. “I’m sure it’s fine, man. Probably just some last–minute jitters.”
Ryan nodded, but Laura could see the worry creeping into his eyes. She felt her own anxiety rising, a mix of concern for Ryan and a guilty flicker of hope she immediately tried to extinguish.
The officiant, a kindly older man, stepped forward. “Perhaps we should take a short break,” he suggested gently. “I’m sure everything is fine, but we’ll give the bride a few more minutes.”
As if on cue, the church doors burst open. Laura’s heart leapt, expecting to see Julia in her bridal gown. Instead, one of the bridesmaids, Megan, came rushing down the aisle, her face a mask of panic.
She reached Ryan, slightly out of breath. “Ryan,” she whispered urgently, but in the tense silence of the church, her words carried.” Julia’s gone. We can’t find her anywhere. There’s… there’s a note.”
Laura watched the color drain from Ryan’s face. His eyes widened in disbelief, then confusion, and finally, dawning comprehension. Julia had left him at the altar.
The whispers in the church grew louder, the mood shifting from anticipation to shock and sympathy. Laura stood frozen, her mind racing. This couldn’t be happening. Not to Ryan Not like this.
Ryan’s mother stood up from the front row, her voice shaky but determined. “Ryan, honey? What’s going on?”
Ryan turned to face the crowd, his expression a mixture of pain, embarrassment, and disbelief. He cleared his throat, but when he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper,
“I… I’m sorry, everyone. It appears that… that the wedding won’t be taking place today.”
A collective gasp went up from the guests. Laura could see the shock on their faces, mirroring her own feelings.
Ryan’s father stepped forward, placing a supportive hand on his son’s shoulder. “We apologize for the inconvenience,” he addressed the crowd, his voice stronger than Ryan’s “We’re as surprised as you are. Please… please bear with us as we figure this out.”
The church erupted into a cacophony of voices as guests began to stand, some moving towards the exits, others clustering in groups to discuss the shocking turn of events.
Laura remained rooted to her spot, unsure of what to do. She watched as Ryan’s parents enveloped him in a hug, Tim hovering nearby, his face a mask of concern and anger.
“I can’t believe she’d do this,” Laura heard Tim mutter. “Who does that?”
Ryan’s mother was stroking his hair, murmuring words of comfort that Laura couldn’t quite make out. His father had moved away slightly, already on his phone, presumably dealing with the logistics of cancelling the reception.
CHAPTER NINETY – The Last Doar Left 15 doen.
