Chapter 1
The stained-glass windows of St. Augustine Methodist Church filtered sunlight into colorful beams that danced along the marble aisle. The scent of lilies mingled with the soft strains of a string quartet, wrapping the congregation in a kind of romantic haze.
Jennifer Georgewill was a vision in her white lace wedding gown-elegant, radiant, utterly in love. She looked up at Michael Osunu with such tenderness that Tina Briggs, seated in the second pew, felt her chest tighten. It wasn’t jealousy, not exactly. More like…longing.
“She looks so beautiful,” Nengi whispered beside her, dabbing the corner of her eyes with a tissue.
“She does,” Tina replied softly, forcing a smile. Her oxblood bridesmaid dress clung comfortably to her curves, but inside, she felt strangely hollow. “I’m so happy for her.”
Nengi shot her a sideway glance. “And also low-key spiraling, what’s going on? Is this about Richard?”
Tina gave a low chuckle. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows you like I do”
Her eyes returned to the altar. Jennifer, or Jenny as she was fondly called, had opted to forgo the traditional vows, insisting that she and Michael would come up with something original and even more beautiful.
Well, they certainly had!
Tina could see some ladies in the congregation dabbing their eyes with kerchiefs as the couple started exchanging their vows. She remembered some weeks ago when her friend had read the marriage booklet and scoffed loudly, loftily declaring to her fiancée that she couldn’t say the words. Michael almost had an aneurysm. When Tina had asked Jenny for her reasons, she had dramatically put both hands on her chest and exclaimed, “You wound me Tina, you know how I hate everything old fashioned!”
They had laughed together and her fiancée had agreed to bring it up with the Reverend. Tina wished she could have been present for that discussion, it certainly would have been interesting. There was really no end to Jenny’s theatrics, and the funny part was that she almost always got her way!
Michael, in a perfectly tailored tux was reciting vows he had written himself. They were sweet and awkward in the most charming way.
“I promise to keep your feet warm, when you’re cold, to kiss you even when you’ve had your favorite garlic pasta, and to remind you every single day how insanely lucky I am that you said yes.”
Laughter ripped through the crowd. Jenny giggled, wiping a tear from her cheek.
Tina’s heart clenched. That was the kind of love she wanted – one that felt like home and excitement all at once.
