What Do I Say?: A Love Story (Part Three)

What do I say?  The small bridesmaid wondered nervously, as she held the cell phone to her ear.  Her trepidation grew with each ring.  When someone finally answered, she hesitated for a few moments before pouring out her feelings to the person on the other end.  It was a relief to finally say the words out loud.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, when her friend, the bride, proposed a plan.  A game night at the home of the new married couple.  Only a few people in the wedding party would be invited.  And, of course, the tallest groomsman would attend, since the bride would coordinate the party around his schedule.  The bridesmaid couldn’t think of a better opportunity for another casual encounter.  She reluctantly agreed to the bride’s suggestion.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, as she watched the newlyweds greet the tallest groomsman at the door.  He looked handsome in his navy blue sweater and jeans.  The bridesmaid looked down at her red top and black pants.  She wondered what he thought of her.  Was it obvious that the evening was a setup?  They were the only single people at the party.  How could she face him?  He probably thought that the entire evening was her idea.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, as the groomsman stretched out on the floor beside her.  He was even more wonderful than she remembered.  The games gradually helped her to overcome her initial shyness.  It was a fun night that ended too quickly.  She and the groomsman left the party at the same time, but they parted ways without making plans to see each other again.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, as she stared at the computer screen.  Why was she still pursuing this?  It was obvious that the groomsman didn’t reciprocate her interest.  He could have asked her out after the game night, but he hadn’t.  So, why couldn’t she let this go?  Frustrated by her insane need to try one last time, the bridesmaid sent the note and waited for his response.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, as she rifled through her purse in the restaurant parking lot.  With growing anxiety, she clutched a piece of paper like a lifeline.  This was the most important first date of her life.  Long silences were the enemy.  Preparation was key.  The bridesmaid studied the list of conversation topics as she walked towards the restaurant.  But all of her preparation flew out of her head when she saw the tall groomsman already sitting at the table.  After five hours of effortless conversation, he asked if he could see her again.  She said yes.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered ten months later at his best friend’s wedding.  As the groomsman relayed childhood memories during the best man’s speech, he choked up with emotion.  The bridesmaid’s heart caught in her throat.  “I love you,” she told him that night after the reception.  He smiled back at her and said, “I love you too.”

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, after returning home from a night out with friends.  She had been traveling for work and hadn’t seen her groomsman for a few days.  He wanted to stop by and see her.  The bridesmaid was completely caught off guard when he knelt down and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.  After overcoming her disbelief and repeating “Are you serious?” several times, the bridesmaid said yes.

What do I say?  The bridesmaid wondered, as she shifted the long train of her dress.  She didn’t want to knock over the flaming candles on the altar or say the wrong words at the wrong time.  The priest asked her if she would take the tallest groomsman, now her groom, for her husband.  She looked into the hazel eyes of her future husband and remembered that night at another wedding.  I could spend the rest of my life with you.  Her happiness nearly robbed her of speech, but the right words finally came:  “Yes.  I do.”

TO THE READER:  This is a true story.  I am the bridesmaid who married this “shy” groomsman.  I plan on spending the rest of our lives together giving my husband grief over this…..  🙂  Thank you for reading our story!  NOTE:  If you missed the beginning of this story, here it is:  He’s Not My Type:  A Love Story (Part One).

Have you ever fallen in love?  Do you have a love story that you’d like to share?  Please tell me!  I’d love to hear about it!  It’s the perfect way to end the week on a happy note.