Wait

Hotel Rooms

I get lost in my thoughts as I follow the winding path away from the barn and work my way through a beautiful landscape of flowering trees, creeks, and a few too many gazebos. I see a sign outside what appears to be a white shed that reads "Bridesmaids" in loopy handwriting. Tracing the handwriting, I think of the heartbreaking letter I occasionally read late at night in similar lettering. A screech from inside the shed brings me back to the present and spikes my curiosity. Before I can open the door, bridesmaids run out shouting about a spider the size of their hands. Amidst the chaos, I slide inside and look for the spider before taking another step. Seeing a small speck making its way down one of the mirrors, I take a tissue and squash it before throwing the tissue in the trash bin.

"Always were the one to kill things." Even though I replay her old voicemails at least once a week, I am still surprised when I hear her voice behind me.

"We all know who killed my heart first," I reply, pivoting on my boot heels. I see the bottom of the dress first and can barely breathe as seeing her in the white dress becomes a reality to what event I just crashed. "Nat." I nod.

"You lost the right to do call me that when you left the hotel room." I see her struggle to breathe evenly and relish in the effect I still have on her. She has the same effect on me.

"Funny. I could say the same thing about the gazebo under the willow tree-" I take a step toward her.

"Stop it." Her hands play with the loose strands of curled brunette hair left out of her updo. "Why are you here? How are you here? I know who I sent my invitations out to."

"Yes, well, it looks like your friend group wasn't as entirely replaced as you would like it to be," I answer, pointing outside where I can still hear some of the bridesmaids trying to figuring out which groomsmen to call to kill the spider.

Suddenly her green eyes widen before pulling me into a separate room, presumably her dressing room. Her perfectly manicured hand presses the door closed and turns the lock. Nat whips her head around toward the wall of windows. "Pull those curtains."

"I didn't realize how big of a deal-"

"Just shut up, and pull those curtains, Daniel!" I follow her orders with little hesitation. After all the white, sheer curtains are pulled, Nat takes a few deep breaths. Instinctively, I walk up to her and begin rubbing my hands up and down her arms. For a moment, she leans in to the pressure before pulling back. "I... I can't. I'm getting married!"

As she turns away, I see a tear trail down her face. "You want to get married here," I ask. "In a barn?"

"It was a compromise."

"As opposed to what? Getting married at a trash hill?" I fall back into a plush chair. Nat picks up a makeup brush and starts covering up the tear track. "What happened to wanting to get married in a Las Vegas white chapel?"

"That dream was when I had a different future. Then you wrecked that." Her dress rustles as she turns around and leans against the makeup counter.

"The first time? I'm pretty sure you wrecked that one all by yourself."

"And to think I was going to give you a second chance. You haven't changed at all, Daniel. You're still a self-centered jerk." With each word, she takes a step toward me. Despite her words, I can only think of how I miss kissing her lips.

I stand up and find the tip of my nose touching hers. "What else do you think I am?" I watch as her eyes flick to my mouth before turning away again.

"Why are you here, Daniel?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You are one of the two people I know here."

"And who would that other person be?" Nat pushes aside one of the curtains open a crack.

"Who are you looking out for? Your fiance?"

"No." She turns away and faces me once again in the small room. "This is the most important day of my life, Daniel, and I can't afford to have my past trying to postpone it."

"Only postpone? Nat, I want to end it."

"What?" Her left hand flies to a necklace around her neck.

"The biggest regret of my life," I begin, stepping towards her carefully, "was when I walked out of that room and away from the most gorgeous woman in the world. My hurt and pain from the past overshadowed all the potential of a future with you. You hurt me, Nat. You ruined me." I step close enough to see the necklace I gave her on our first date. She moves her hand away as I reach toward it. The chain holds a key to my old apartment, a succulent charm, and her initial. "Remember when I gave you this?" I chuckle.

"I thought you were crazy," she whispers, "for giving me a key to your apartment on the first date. But you said you knew we were endgame." Her forehead brushes mine as she looks down at the chain in my hand.

"Still do." I let the chain fall, and my fingers touch her chin. Her breath warms my clammy hands as I guide her mouth to mine. The moment our lips touch the rest of the world, the weight of the day disappears. All that matters is that she is here in front of me, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me in closer. I'm not sure how much time passes, but it feels like eternity and a millisecond all at once before she pulls away. Gasping for air, I rest my forehead on hers.

"Daniel," she mumbles, lips swollen. "You broke my heart."

"And you broke mine. Call it even?" I lean back in, but she pushes me away.

"How do I know you've changed? I can't risk having my heart broken again. I would be risking everything I've worked to build the past three years after you left."

"And I risked everything coming here to try to convince you that you are about to make the biggest mistake of your life if you walk down that aisle away from me."

"What would I be walking away from? Disappointment? Heartbreak?"

"Passion. Love. Someone who will support you one hundred percent without needing to compromise."

"That is what love is though: a compromise. Figuring out where you and the person you love meet and work. Just because I didn't want to get married in a freaking dirty barn when I was with you doesn't mean I don't want to get married in a beautiful barn now. You knew me when I was younger and had big dreams. Now I have realistic dreams."

"You shouldn't have to give up those big dreams, though," I interrupt. "You deserve the world and more. I can give you that." She sighs and turns away from me again. Pacing to the door and back to me, Nat fiddles with the neckline of her dress. When she comes back to me, I touch her arm, pausing her pacing. "You look good in white," I whisper. "You should wear it more often."

"I always hated white because I thought it washed me out." She chuckles. "Savannah, my maid of honor, told me I should get a spray tan to help." Her eyes light up as she looks at my face. "Savannah. That little snitch. She always did have a soft spot for you."

"Took you long enough to figure out who told me. I barely know anyone else here. It's like you have an entirely different life." My thumb brushes a circle on her elbow, keeping her close.

"That's because it is. Being with you seems like a lifetime ago." I slide one of my hands to her lower back, gently pushing her closer again.

"It doesn't have to be," I sigh, lowering my mouth to her lips. Just as our lips meet, I hear a key in the lock beginning to turn. Knowing how devastated she would be if someone caught us together, I push away just as she gives into the kiss. I take a few steps before bumping into a chair and falling into the cushions. Nat glances at the intruder before meeting my eyes in relief.