Are you my Adonis?

A tear rolled down my cheek as I continued my Maid- of-honor speech. I had gotten a few laughs when I recalled how both of them confided in me individually about their feelings for each other and how I had ping-ponged between them to get at least one of them to confess to the other. I talked about watching their love grow and knowing early on that they were made for each other. And now I toast their new beginning as one. I raised my glass to my two best friends. “To Bill and Sally. And to the love story that will never end. Cheers” Everyone raised their glass with me and cheered. Sally stands up and hugs me. Billy joined her on the other side, sandwiching me as we have done many times in the 25 years we’ve known each other. I smiled brightly and wiped the tear off my face. Suddenly the music changed into something livelier, and I was dragged onto the dance floor by those two. I laughed and danced to our favorite songs that night. We shouted over the music about childhood memories and silly inside jokes. More than once, Sally tried to coax me to slow dance with some of the groomsmen, but I sat out the slow songs to rest my feet that were dying in the too-tight pumps. I smiled watching Bill and Sally dance in each other’s arms. The love in their eyes proves that true love and happy endings do exist. Well, at least for some people. Later on, I stood in front of the venue with the rest of the guests, waving to the happy couple as they drove off to their honeymoon. I watched as the red sports car turned the corner and disappeared into the night. I let out a big sigh and headed back into the venue. I said my cheerful goodbyes to friends, the bridal party, distant family members, and to our parents. Bill’s, Sally’s, and my parents have been friends since college days. We have literally grown up around each other since birth. My mom and dad actually took in Sally for a few years when Sally’s mom had to go into hospice during her fight with cancer. Sally’s Dad had died in an industrial accident when she was 3, so she was alone at that time. We hung out at each other’s houses so much, we considered each other’s parents extra sets of parents. I stood in the middle of the ballroom helping the staff clean up and organizing the tedious stuff. I gathered the wedding gifts and loaded them into the rental van for delivery to Bill’s and Sally’s house tomorrow morning. I tip the staff generously for an excellent job well done. I did, however, manage to snag one of the unopened bottles of wine as I put the rest into the van. “Thank you so much. The day wouldn’t have been possible without you,” I said to Joanne Carter, the wedding planner, after everyone was gone but the two of us. “I know that Bill and Sally were less stressed knowing you were on the job.” “Not at all. Actually, having an involved maid of honor like you made my job much easier,” she replied. “Sally and Bill are like siblings to me. I wanted them to have a perfect day. “ I replied with the practiced comment that I gave everyone all day when they complimented my dedication to the planning. She gave me a hard look for a moment and then continued. “You are in love with the groom.” “What! No! Bill’s like a brother to me, and I could never betray Sally like that. We are practically siblings,” I said with a practiced casualness. Again, another comment that I have said a million times in over a decade. “Uh-huh,” she replied, unconvinced. “I have been wedding planning for 11 years, and I’ve seen it all. You hide it very well, but I knew when I saw how you try too hard. No maid of honor tries to get everything perfect for her friend’s wedding. And…. well…. I’ve been there too.” “You got it wrong,” I defended with a familiar and casual calculation. “I just really care about my friends.” She patted my shoulder with pity that cracks my resolve. I look up at her, and I see that hint of longing in her eyes that I also see when I look in the mirror. I guess there is no denying it to her. “It gets easier, you know.” She said gently with a faraway gaze. “What gets easier?” I asked, trembling. “Watching them being happy with each other. Watching them grow a family and live a life that you wish was your own,” she said smoothly. “Does it?” I whispered, finally admitting my secret. “I have watched them since we were 14, and it still hurts, just like the day he told me he had a crush on her. I feel guilty wishing it was me he chose every day. Or wishing they will break up, and he will finally see how much I love him. How could I think such things about my best friends”? “It does, and the guilt will fade. It just takes time. Sometimes distance. And definitely one of these,” she said as she hands me a card. I looked at the stark white card with the words “Adonis Romance Service” in gold with only a phone number. Being in my line of business, I can tell the card stock is premium and the embossing is done with 24kt gold sleeking. “What is this? Did you just give me a card for a gigolo service?” “That is more than a gigolo service. They have Adonises that will fulfill your every wish and make you forget about your unrequited love,” She said with a secretive smirk. “I should know; I use them quite often and am very satisfied. And trust me, I don’t give out this card to anyone. You are one of three people I’ve given this card to in my eleven years in this work. I see my past self in you. You deserve some happiness in your life,” she coaxed. “I don’t know…. I don’t want to pay for s*x,” I muttered sheepishly. I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks. “Oh, it’s more than s*x. Whomever they send will give you an experience that you have only dreamt about,” She said with a smirk. “I guess,” I said as I shoved the card in my purse, trying to end this conversation. “You’ll thank me later,” she replied before we walked to the exit and locked up.