Jenny was still fucking single and she wasn't happy about it. She had been the maid of honor in six weddings that year and she was sick of it. When was it going to be her turn to be the bride? When would she get to plan her dream wedding with the man of her dreams? She wasn't sure and she was tired of waiting around and wondering. She looked around the crowded church and made her way to the rec room where there was free coffee. She looked around at the mayhem that was her best friend's wedding.
She was happy for Kira. She really was. It was just that there was this nagging feeling that she would never have her time. Jenny wanted to fall in love and get married just like Kira was today. She took her cup of coffee and made small talk with everyone. She was still waiting for Joachim to arrive and he was late, as usual. She would be walking down the aisle with him at the wedding and she wasn't unhappy about it. Joachim was tall and he would have been a real prospect except for the fact that he was best friends with Kira's fiance, Dominick. Jenny didn't want to cause any problems for herself or for her friend but she couldn't help but like the way that Joachim moved. He was smooth and confident.
Jenny sipped her coffee until she could feel her phone buzzing in her purse. She was already ready, wearing the dark blue gown Kira had picked for her and the other bridesmaids. It was a tastefully elegant style and Jenny was glad that Kira was secure enough with herself to allow her bridesmaids to look beautiful on her special day. Jenny made her way to the dressing room, where Kira was pacing in her undergarments, waiting for the right moment to put on her dress.
"Jenny? Is that you?"
"Yes! Of course."
"I need you," she grabbed Jenny and pulled her close for a hug. They embraced for a long time and Kira wouldn't let go. Jenny could feel her heart beating and she remembered all the good times Kira and she had shared together. Flashes of memories of them at the county fair, them at school, them coloring pictures together, playing with dolls...everything. Their entire friendship had been a good one and Jenny felt her eyes misting over with tears. She loved Kira like a sister and she was happy for her on her special day. Of course, she wished it would be her turn to be the bride, but she was never the bride. She had to accept this. Kira was the kind of girl guys wanted to marry. Jenny was just the sidekick.
"Jenny, thank you for always being here for me and being my best friend. I love you."
"I love you too, Kira."
"I need a favor, though. And it's a weird one."
"Okay?" Jenny was used to this. Kira had been asking her for favors like crazy because of the wedding. Jenny assumed this was just another one of those favors. She wasn't expecting what came next.
"I need you to sleep with Joachim."
Jenny froze. She gave Kira a questioning look. No one had ever asked her to sleep with someone else as a favor before. She had to draw the line. "Kira, do you mean have sex with him?"
"Yes. I know it's weird but you see, he hasn't had sex with another woman since his wife died in a car accident eight years ago."
"He's been married before?"
"He doesn't talk about it much, for obvious reasons but the thing is he really hasn't had sex in eight years and I know that you like sex a lot and I thought that maybe you could help him out."
"Why do you make it sound like I'm some kind of slut?" Jenny asked, offended slightly by this.
"I'm not saying that. I just think you two would hit it off. Dominick thinks so too."
"I'll think about it." Jenny looked at her phone. "It's time, Kira. We have to get you in the dress and get out there."
"Think about it. Joachim is a really nice guy."
"I know he is. I just don't know if I'm attracted to him like that."
Jenny helped Kira into her dress and when she was ready they looked at her in the mirror and smiled at the beauty of her dress on her special day. Jenny felt a pang of longing for her day to come but she wasn't waiting around, she told herself. She was going to just live her life the best she knew how. She picked up Kira's train as she walked to the church and when they arrived Joachim was waiting for her with a smile on his face.
"You look beautiful, Kira. And Jenny...wow!" Joachim smiled widely at both of the girls and for the first time, Jenny could see how attractive he actually was. Why had she never noticed this before?
They took their places and when it was time Joachim offered Jenny his arm. They walked down the aisle and as they did, Jenny could feel something. She couldn't tell if it was a pang of longing to be the bride or a pang of longing for Joachim. She was starting to really think about Kira's request and she glanced over at him to see that he was looking at her as well. Their eyes met and there was something special in their exchange that made them both take pause. They reached the end of the aisle and separated. Jenny knew she was blushing as she smiled at him but she was shocked to see that he was blushing too. They were both blushing like that in front of the entire congregation.
The wedding march began and Kira made her way down the aisle, her long dress cascading behind her in a wave of glorious white. Jenny was ecstatic for her friend but she stole a glance at Joachim and saw her was looking at her too. There was something between them and it burned in her through the entire ceremony. She cried as her best friend kissed Dominick deeply in front of all their witnesses. As the wedding party made their way out, Jenny could feel the electricity between her and Joachim when she took his arm. She was surprised when he guided her to the left at the end of the church instead of the right toward the reception.
"Where are you going? The reception is in there."
"We have to do pictures and I think they are in here," he told her.
"Oh?" She let him lead her into an empty room and though she knew there were not going to be pictures taken there she let him close the door and lock it.
"We are finally alone, Jenny."
