Bad at Love

Georgina

Georgina“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Moses, you may kiss your bride,” Father Deluca said.

Everyone in the church clapped as the newlyweds shared their first kiss, except for Pippa, their three-year-old daughter. She scrunched up her face in disgust.

“It is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the first time Mr. And Mrs. Moses Zaccarin.”

Zorah beamed as she and Moses walked down the aisle, with Pippa in tow. The ceremony was beautiful, and everything went off without a hitch, as I knew it would. It was a relatively small ceremony, two bridesmaids, Helen-Elizabeth and Kesha. Then, me, as the maid of honor. Moses’s best friend and fraternity brother from college, Solomon, was his best man and his two groomsmen, Casper and James were childhood buddies.

Once they were down the aisle the rest of us followed behind to take pictures, then it was off to the reception.

After the parents and bridal party made their way into the reception hall, it was time for the bride and groom.

“May I have your attention as we welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Moses Zaccarin! Please join me in congratulating the happy couple!” the emcee, DJ Dynamix announced.

Everyone in the reception hall jumped to their feet and cheered.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom would like for you to take this time as an opportunity to take a picture of the bridal party for your own photo albums. Please feel free to come right in front with your cameras as our bridal party strikes a pose,” DJ Dynamix said.

As we posed for pictures, I noticed an attractive younger guy, cutting up with Casper.

Damn, he’s cute. Ugh, he looks like a baby. Down girl, he probably can’t even drink legally.

After pictures it was time for the toast. It took the emcee a few minutes to calm everyone down over the sound of laughter and silverware clanking against the plates, since the guests were already enjoying finger foods, and the sounds of wine glasses being filled.

Solomon told a few funny stories from their college days and teased Moses about falling in love with Zorah the first day he met her, even though she barely gave him the time of day. He wrapped it up by saying what a beautiful couple Zorah and Moses were, how lucky they were in love and family, with little Pippa, and wished them the best of luck in the future.

I was starving by the time the toast was finished. Zorah’s father was giving the blessing and my stomach gurgled loudly when the scent of roasted chicken, garlic and bread hit the air. I cringed and opened one eye to see how many people noticed. Everyone else must have been as hungry as me because no one moved a muscle, not even a twitch.

The dinner was buffet style and as I walked to the buffet table, I saw the younger guy from earlier. I walked passed him and felt his eyes follow me. I looked back over my shoulder and he grinned. He had a strong, square jawline, an aquiline nose and lush lips, surrounded by a well maintained low beard and mustache. But, even with the facial hair, I could tell he had a baby face and his ears poked out ever so slightly. I wasn’t close enough to see his actual eye color but could tell it was on the lighter side. I gave him a half smile and continued to the buffet table.

While I was in the buffet line, DJ Dynamix announced that it was time for the bride and groom’s first kiss. The room filled with the sound of silverware clinking against glasses, while the guests hooted for the couple to kiss.

By the time I finished fixing my plate, Zorah and Moses had been “clinked at” two more times and I could tell by Zorah’s face that the glass clinking was not going to fly all night. I laughed to myself.

I sat down to eat at the circular bridal party table in between Solomon and Helen-Elizabeth, who were flirting directly in my path.

“Hey Sol, swap seats with me.”

“You okay, Georgie?”

“Yea, yea. Just giving you guys some space to talk.”

“Oh. Okay, cool. Thanks Georgie.”

“You got it.”

I slid to my right and ended up with Sol to my left and Moses’s friend Casper to my right. I was not in the best mood but decided to strike up a conversation with Casper while we ate dinner and waited for the cake and dancing. I figured it might help my dour mood.

“So, Casper, you’ve known Moses, since you guys were kids, huh?” I asked as I poured myself a glass of wine from the bottles provided on the table.

“Uh, yea. Since we were about four. We moved into the neighborhood and Moses and his Mom came to the house with a chocolate cake to introduce themselves and welcome us to the area. My Mom told us to take the cake to the kitchen, so we could have it for dessert. Moses and I took it upon ourselves to make sure that the cake was edible, but we were four and not quite as Bond-stealthy as we thought. We ended up with cake crumbs everywhere and chocolate all over our faces. Been buddies ever since,” he chuckled.

“That’s adorable.”

“Yea, during college we lost touch for a little bit, but reconnected on f*******: and have been cool again since.”

“No one can hide from the mighty prying eyes of f*******:,” I gave a slight chuckle.

“That’s true, but in this case at least it was a good thing. Zorah is your best friend, right?”

“Oh yea, since we were ten…”

“Hey Cas, sorry for interrupting,” I looked up to see Mr. Gorgeous Jawline standing next to Casper, looking delicious in his gray slacks, vest, white button-down and black tie. He had his hand on Casper’s shoulder, his sleeves were rolled-up and I could see he had tattoos. “Fannie wanted me to let you know she stepped out to call and check on Aggie.”

Hot damn, he’s even better up close.

I looked down at the roasted chicken and green beans I was just pushing around on my plate.

“Okay. Thanks Rocky!”

“Yea man, you got it.”

I felt his presence still at the table, I looked up and he was studying me. I gave a quick smile, then turned my attention back to my food. After another second, I saw him walk away out of the corner of my eye and Casper lowered his head and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I asked while sipping my wine.

“That was my brother-in-law. I think he fancies you?”

“What? Why do you say that?”

“Because I have my cell phone in my pocket and my wife and I have been texting back and forth all night. I already knew where she was going. He was just looking for a reason to come over to the table.”

“Really?”

“Yup.”

“Aw. That’s sweet, but he’s what? Twenty-one? I’m flattered at the thought, but there’s no way.”

“He’s twenty-eight. What’s the big deal? You can’t be more than twenty-eight, twenty-nine yourself.”

“Ha. I wish. You flatter me, Casper.”

“If you’d agreed, I’d have believed it. I’m sure lover boy over there thinks so too.”

“So sorry to burst his bubble.” I poured myself some more wine, then glanced over at “Rocky,” who had one eyebrow raised and had the sexiest grin on his face.

Stop it! He’s way too young.

Dynamix’s dinner playlist gave the room a mellow vibe, as we finished dinner, then he announced that it was time to cut the cake. We all laughed as Zorah chased Moses with cake in hand. Of course, when she caught him, she smashed the cake in his face. Unlike Zorah, Moses took his finger, gathered a little bit of frosting on it, wiped it on the tip of her nose and then licked it off.

“Damn frat, save that for the room,” Sol shouted from our table.

The room laughed. From the looks of it, he and Helen-Elizabeth were hitting it off pretty well.

At least someone’s getting some tonight.

I had a nice little buzz going from the wine. The night was nowhere close to being over and I was feeling sorry for myself. I tried my best not to show it, so I poured myself some more wine.

“Let’s give our newlyweds a nice round of applause,” Dynamix said. The room erupted in hoots and cheers. “Alright gang, the cake will be served shortly. Coming up in about ten minutes will be our bride and groom’s first dance. Get your cameras ready!”

After Zorah and Moses cleaned the cake off themselves, they walked around the room greeting people until Dynamix signaled them for the dance.

“Ladies and gentlemen, would you please give a big round of applause to our newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Zaccarin, as they head to the dance floor to share their first dance as husband and wife.”

Cameras flashed, the crowd cheered as Dynamix started Beyoncé’s “1+1.” Zorah and Moses never looked more in love. It was beautiful and gut-wrenching. I finished off my glass of wine and poured another.

Everyone clapped as the song ended and the couple shared another sweet kiss. I felt sick to my stomach.

Love is s**t.

“If we could have the entire bridal party out on the floor for the bridal party dance,” Dynamix requested.

I took a big swig of wine and jumped to my feet as Bruno Mars’ “Marry You,” started playing.

“I’m so happy for you,” I grabbed Zorah’s hand. “You two look so happy.”

“Thank you, girl. I am so happy. I can’t believe it!”

“You deserve it babe. Love you!”

“Love you too and smile you have an admirer,” she tilted her head in “Rocky’s” direction.

“Girl, please. He’s like twelve.”

“Oh, hush. He is legal and that means fair game.”

“We are not here to talk about me, it’s your day.”

“Yea, but I’m always going to be your best friend. I’m just looking out for that dry ass va jay of yours.”

“Ha. Ha. My va jay is just fine.”

“Mmhm. Girl, get you some. Nobody said you have to fall in love with the boy. Just have a good time. Weddings equal hookup season.

“Whatever, Zo,” I laughed. “Plus, the key word in that sentence you just said, ‘boy’.”

“Well, he’s sure checking you out like a man right now.”

I looked over my shoulder to see if he was looking, but he wasn’t, and I felt a little deflated. Just as I was turning back around, he looked up, we locked eyes and his mouth curved into a smile.

Maybe it’s all the wine, but goddamn.

Chapter 4