A Proscriptive Relationship (69 page)

“
It worked!” Casey cried excitedly. “It fits!”

I let go of my breath and made a face. It was going to be difficult to breathe in this dress. “I should have just got a new dress.”

“
Well, you didn’t have time, so tough. Besides, this shade of lavender is so your color.”

Pursing my lips, I turned to give her a disapproving look. “I can barely breathe.”

“
Come on,” Casey ordered, tugging on my elbow. “We were supposed to meet Mr. Heywood and Jeremy in the lobby fifteen minutes ago.”

“
Hold on,” I demanded, pulling my arm out of Casey’s grasp. “Let me just check my makeup—”

“
You look fine,” Casey responded, quickly snatching up my arm again. “Now let’s go.”

Warily, I allowed Casey to pull me out of our hotel room. Being the nice friend I was, I had allowed Casey to do my makeup for the wedding. Casey being Casey had decided not to let me see it before we left—for all I knew I could have clown makeup all over my face. To make things worse, I didn’t even know how I looked in this dress. It was obviously too small. Casey let me borrow hers, but it didn’t fit so well.

“
Come on, we’re late,” Casey urged, yanking me down the hallway.

I staggered unevenly through the hallway after her, trying to keep my balance on my high heels. “Slow down, Casey!”

Casey threw an impatient glance at me. “Do you really want to be late for the wedding?”

“
We’re not going to be late.”

“
What if Jeremy gets lost on the way?”

“
He won’t get . . .” I trailed off, furrowing my eyebrows. Knowing Jeremy, he probably would actually get lost. “Maybe we should hurry.”

When we arrived in the lobby, Mr. Heywood and Jeremy were nowhere to be seen. It was completely empty aside from the receptionist, who was sitting at her desk half-asleep. Casey turned to me, the corners of her lips turning down.

“
They wouldn’t leave without us, right?”

I shook my head. “Jeremy might, but Chris wouldn’t let him . . .”

Suddenly Jeremy appeared from behind one of the pillars by the exit. He was readjusting his tie, looking down at it with an annoyed look. Moments later Mr. Heywood stepped out from the pillar too, also pulling at his tie.

My breath caught in my throat for a moment. He couldn’t look bad in a suit even if he tried. His hair was damp, making it look darker and more messy than usual. Casey gave me a gentle push from behind and I stumbled forwards a few steps before walking on my own.

“
What were you two doing behind there?” Casey inquired when we were close enough for them to hear us.

Immediately both their heads snapped our way. Mr. Heywood inhaled sharply as his eyes landed on me. I blushed, quickly averting my gaze.

“
Wow, Holly,” I heard Jeremy start. “You look—”

“
Absolutely perfect,” Mr. Heywood finished, cutting in. “That color suits you well.”

I looked back up now, smiling slightly. “You don’t look half-bad yourself.”

He grinned. “I know.”

“
Well who is this strapping young lady?” Jeremy said, turning to Casey with a wide grin.

Casey raised an eyebrow. “You clean up good.”

Jeremy shrugged. “I try.”

“
But what were you two doing behind that pillar?” she questioned again, slowly smirking. “Something you shouldn’t be? All alone? You guys were fixing your ties . . .”

Mr. Heywood rolled his eyes. “We’re not gay, Casey.”

I laughed. “Okay, so are we ready to go?”

“
As soon as you put on your coat,” Mr. Heywood responded, giving me a disapproving look. “It’s the middle of winter, Holly.”

I grimaced. “But Casey . . .”

He sighed, taking his jacket off his arm and handing it to me. “Since we’re already late, just wear this.”

“
But—”

“
Wear it, Holly.”

I slowly took it reluctantly. “What are you going to wear? You know, Casey doesn’t have a jacket either.”

“
I’ve got her covered,” Jeremy responded, and I turned to see Casey pulling on what I assumed to be his jacket. “Us manly men can handle the cold.”

“
But—”

“
Come on, Holly,” Mr. Heywood interjected, holding out his jacket for me to slip into. “Just wear it.”

After another moment of hesitation I finally sighed, putting my arms into the sleeves of the jacket. Mr. Heywood pulled it tightly around me and started buttoning it up for me. I blushed, swatting his hands away.

“
I can do that myself.”

“
But I can do it quicker,” he responded with a smirk. “But if you insist. Come on, you can button while we walk.” With that, he grabbed my hand and began dragging me towards the exit with no regard for the fact that I couldn’t button my coat with only one hand.

The trip to Lake Champlain, where the wedding was being held, didn’t take very long at all. Jeremy had thought ahead and booked us a hotel only about twenty minutes away—
and
he had mapped out the drive beforehand so he knew where he was going. Mr. Heywood seemed just as impressed as I was. Jeremy had a smug expression on the entire time, and when we drove into the parking lot of the lakeside cabin, he looked extremely pleased with himself.

Swarms of people were entering the cabin, the women all dressed in lavender gowns, the men dressed in black tuxes. Mr. Heywood quickly grabbed my hand again so we wouldn’t get separated. I looked over to my shoulder to grab Casey’s hand, but I realized she had disappeared in the crowd behind us. Jeremy had too.

“
Chris, Jeremy and Casey are still gone.”

He surveyed the area around us, frowning slightly. “They’ll find us when we sit down. Come on.”

We started moving again, going into the main room of the cabin where pew after pew was lined up, separated into the bride’s side and the groom’s side by a narrow strip of purple carpet. We chose one of the pews on the bride’s side, closest to the front.

“
I didn’t expect Holly to have so many friends,” Mr. Heywood muttered, dropping into one of the seats.

I quickly sat down next to him, adjusting my dress. “Well there’s family too.”

Mr. Heywood frowned, gazing towards the front of the room where the alter was set up. For a second I thought I saw regret and his eyes and a nervous feeling spread through me. When Mr. Heywood finally looked away he turned to me, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“
What’s wrong?”

“
Are you sure you want to be here?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Color rose to my cheeks as I realized how stupid my thoughts were. “I . . . um, never mind actually.”

Mr. Heywood chuckled. “Were you thinking I would be uncomfortable watching the girl I used to love marry someone else?”

“
Not exactly . . .”

“
You can’t lie to me, Holly.”

I sighed. “I know. Sorry.”

Mr. Heywood offered me a small smile. “Don’t apologize. I’m over her, Holly. I’m happy that she’s found someone to love who won’t cause her any problems. And besides, I have someone I love much more now.”

“
Jeremy?”

Mr. Heywood lightly slapped me on the forehead. “You, stupid.”

I pulled his hand off my forehead, but didn’t let it go. He entwined his fingers with mine, setting our hands down on his lap. I gave his hand a hard squeeze.

“
One day our friends will be the ones sitting here,” Mr. Heywood stated, sending me a grin. “And you’ll literally be a blushing bride.”

To no one’s surprise, a warm blush spread across my face at his words. “I—I won’t blush.”

Mr. Heywood laughed. “Whatever you say, Holly.”

“
Casey! They’re over here!”

My head snapped towards the sound of Jeremy’s voice that had abruptly appeared next to me. He sent me a quick grin, sliding down the pew that was suddenly full of people. Casey came down the aisle next, apologizing as she passed each person. Jeremy sat next to me, forcing Casey to sit on his other side, and next to a man who rather resembled a bear.

“
You ready for this, Chris?” Jeremy asked, leaning around me.

Mr. Heywood rolled his eyes. “There’s nothing to be ready for. I’ve attended a wedding before.”

“
But this is Holly.”

“
And this is my Holly,” Mr. Heywood responded, holding up our entwined hands.

Jeremy chuckled, nodding his head. “Touché.”

“
You guys are so cute together!” Casey gushed, leaning over Jeremy so she could see us better.

“
Don’t . . . call me cute like I’m a child,” Mr. Heywood responded, making a face. “I’m four years older than you.”

Casey frowned. “Fine, old man.”

I laughed as Mr. Heywood scowled at her. A sudden silence seeped through pew after pew, causing the room to fall noiseless. Guests were turning in their seats, looking all around them. My gaze met a pair of sharp-looking eyes from a young man in the row in front of us. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and I quickly averted my gaze, turning to Mr. Heywood.

“
Making eye contact with strangers is so awkward,” I muttered quietly to him.

He chuckled. “You’re cute, Holly.”

My heart skipped a beat when he leaned in and planted a quick kiss on my forehead. Involuntarily my eyes returned to the spot where the young man I had made eye contact with sat. He was smirking at us. He nudged the person sitting next to him, and she turned around, a pair of eyes landing on me. They widened slightly in surprise. She then nudged her neighbor, who also turned to look at me. This time it was an older woman.

“
Holly?” the woman questioned, sounding surprised.

Taken aback, I stared at her with wide eyes. How did she know my name? I didn’t know anyone here besides Mr. Heywood, Casey, and Jeremy.

“
You’ve got the wrong person,” Mr. Heywood finally responded for me. “This is my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend
. It was silly, but when Mr. Heywood called me his girlfriend, a thrill of excitement ran through me. It was like knowing a secret that no one else knew.

The old woman furrowed her eyebrows. “Oh, I’m sorry . . . She looks so much like the bride though . . .”

I gave her a small smile. “So I’ve heard.”

After another smile from the old woman, she turned to face the front again. The other boy and girl followed her example, facing forwards. Mr. Heywood chuckled quietly, giving my hand another squeeze.

“
Watch out, Holly. You might be congratulated at the reception.”

I grimaced. I hoped that wouldn’t happen . . . I still hate being reminded about how much I looked like Holly. It was weird. But I was excited for the reception. Weddings always had the best food.

*

“
Congratulations!”

I turned my head, coming face to face with yet another stranger. “Um, you have the wrong person.”

Mr. Heywood snickered from beside me as the embarrassed greeter apologized and walked away. I shook my head, taking a sip of my sparking cider. I wasn’t allowed to drink the wine—Mr. Heywood’s orders.

“
I told you,” he taunted.

I waved him off with my hand. “I don’t get why people are confusing us. We’re wearing two totally different dresses . . .” I trailed off, remembering when Holly first entered the room. It was the only time in my life I could remember when a girl took my breath away. “She looks ten times better than me.”

Mr. Heywood snorted. “No way.”

I smiled at him. “You’re biased.”

“
Maybe.”

“
Where’s Jeremy?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

Mr. Heywood hooked his thumb towards the dance floor. “Making a fool of himself with Casey.”

A laugh escaped my lips when my eyes landed on Casey and Jeremy, who were indeed dancing like maniacs. They were sort of doing the tango and flamenco at the same time, with a touch of salsa. Those dancing around them were shooting them wary looks every so often.

“
Holly!”

Sighing quietly, I turned around to fend off another exited guest. When my eyes landed on my doppelganger, I gasped. She seemed to be surprised too, because she stopped short, her eyes widening.

“
I forgot how much we look alike,” she breathed, smiling again. “It’s weird.”

“
Yeah,” I responded, feeling shy.

Her eyes dropped to my hand, which was holding Mr. Heywood’s. She turned her attention to his face, a grin spreading across it. “Chris, I see you finally made your move.”

Mr. Heywood shot her an embarrassed look. “Shut up.”

She laughed. “Follow me, I want to introduce you to my husband.”

I sent Mr. Heywood a concerned look but he shook his head, taking the lead, and pulling me after Holly. The three of us weaved through crowds of guests, who all called out congratulations to Holly, and gawked when they realized there were two of her. Finally we made it to a quiet spot around the food stand, where the groom and a young child were waiting.

The groom, a curly haired brunette, stared at me in disbelief as we grew closer. “Holly, you didn’t tell me you had a twin.”

Holly chuckled, taking her husband’s hand. “Andy, this is Holly. She’s Chris’s girlfriend. Holly, this is Andy, my husband.”

Andy slowly held out his hand, still taking me in. I quickly placed my free one in his, and he grasped it firmly, shaking it twice before letting it go. “Nice to meet you,” he stated after a moment.

“
You too,” I murmured, feeling shy again.

“
This is Paul, my stepson,” Holly continued, pushing a young boy in front of her.

I bit my tongue so an “aw” couldn’t escape my lips. The little boy had to be one of the cutest toddlers I had ever seen. He had curly hair like his father’s and the brightest blue eyes. “How old is he?” I asked curiously.