I sat on the stool at the bar, slamming down my fourth of fifth, maybe even sixth, Captain and Coke. God, that dress was unbearable. I wanted nothing more to rip off the frilly sunflower yellow material squeezing my sides like a corset. I asked the bartender for another and he cocked his head at me.
"Don't judge me," I snapped. And he went back to pouring another drink.
It was my sister's wedding. The other bridesmaids were on the dance floor, groomsmen letting loose, my sister dancing away with her guests. I took another swig of the cold drink and groaned, letting my head fall in my hands, elbows propped on the bar counter.
"Hannah?" I heard a soft voice ask. I looked up to see my brother-in-law, his blue eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?"
I sat up straight. "Totally." Another gulp.
Sam looked over at the bartender to motion that I've had enough and the bald man nodded in agreement.
"You're drunk," he said.
"Am not." Truth was, I wasn't even close to being drunk. Ten more of these and maybe, just maybe I could be intoxicated enough to numb the pain stabbing at my heart. And then, I reasoned, I could go up to Sam's cousin, the decent looking one with a full head of hair, and tell him we should fuck. Just like that. That's how I'd say it: Hey Jeremy, let's fuck.
Sam stroked his long fingers against my back. "You sure?"
"Yes," I muttered, and raised the glass to my lips again. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? Wasn't it bad enough he married my sister? He knew how crazy I was about him. He knew how high maintenance Hayley was. He knew my sister would have it all--a couple of kids, a big house with a white picket fence, a dog named Spot and the life I'd always dreamed of...with the man I'd always dreamed of.
Sam worked for my father, the president of a small company that manufactured glass. Sam had quickly worked his way up the ladder, which impressed my dad immensely. He invited Sam over for dinner one evening in the fall, and my sister had pounced on him like a panther would attack unsuspecting prey. And who could blame him? She was beautiful. Hayley had always been beautiful. Prom queen. Voted best smile. Captain of the cheerleading squad. The only reason people know I existed in high school was because I was Hayley Daniels' little sister.
I sighed and stood up, turning around to face the crowd of dancers, resting against my elbows on the bar. Sam stood by, too, his concerning eyes studied me carefully.
"Go enjoy your wedding," I forced a smile and he mustered one back, but neither of us meant it. His blue eyes had glazed over with some other emotion--pity, maybe? Understanding that we couldn't be together? Isn't that what he had said only days ago?
Sam squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry, Hannah." His bow was untied and the top two buttons on his tux were undone, too. I half-smiled and gazed into his eyes for a moment before letting them linger over his body. Sam was...hot. No way around it. He was gorgeous. His floppy brown curls fell on his soft face, that square jaw dawned soft stubble, his pink lips pressed in a soft line. I sighed again, studying his face, the face of the man I was in love with.
"I better go ask Jeremy to dance," I said, standing tall, pressed the wrinkles out of my dress and offered Sam the fakest smile my lips would give. He pushed my blond tousled curls out of my face, and let his thumb rest against my cheek.
"Please don't." His voice was weaker now, his face fell into a frown. God, how could even a frown be sexy? "You're too good for him."
"It doesn't matter, Sam." I offered. "You're married. To my sister. For life." I emphasized and pointed back to her. The rest of the party seemed oblivious to the two of us.