Now, that was an understatement.
* * *
Daniel checked himself in the mirror one last time. “You look really good,” he told James, doing his best not to rake his gaze over James’s midnight blue shirt and light pants. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had a great stylist.”
James’s eyes twinkled when he turned around. “I’d say so too if I hadn’t done it all myself.” He adjusted his collar. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.” Daniel had picked out a blue cocktail dress that hugged his accentuated figure in all the right places. He knew he looked amazing. What he really liked was how James kept looking him in the eyes, like he was watching him rather than the couture.
“Are you? There’s a lot you need to do tonight.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” He smiled. “The truth is, while I hate that this is going to hurt, my mom especially, I like this sort of thing. I went into law enforcement to be able to take out the bad guys and keep folks safe. That part isn’t going to be too hard. It’s holding myself off until after we’re done with the rehearsal—that’s going to be hard, but I’ll manage.” He opened the door and held it for Daniel. James’s parents had already left, but they stopped by Margot’s room and knocked.
James stopped dead when his sister emerged from her room in a fitted silvery dress that shimmered in the light. “Is that what you were doing earlier?”
“Just giving her a few makeup tips,” Daniel explained as he took James’s arm. “Close your mouth. She’s your sister.”
Margot chuckled, and James did as he was told before the three of them left for the church.
* * *
Daniel hated the building, and at night, with all the exterior lighting on the stark white outer walls, it seemed even more imposing. They went inside and into the sanctuary, where Daniel took a seat close to the front across from Grace and Phillip to watch the proceedings, while the others gathered in front for initial instructions. Daniel watched as everyone took their places, shaking his head when he realized Reverend Sociopath had installed himself at the top of a set of risers just in front of the altar. He spoke, and then everyone moved to the back of the church to process in, going through all the motions, until Howard and Holly stood together in front of the minister.
Daniel figured this was a good time to use the restroom and quietly left the sanctuary, finding the bathroom out front. He wasn’t sure how long this would last, so he hurried and returned to find Weston sitting in his pew. Daniel took his place once again while Holly and Howard spoke with the minister, doing his best to ignore Weston, but it was difficult with the way he kept staring at him.
“You still can’t take no for an answer?” he finally whispered and motioned. “Go sit somewhere else, please. Your attention is not appreciated.” He almost got up to sit with James’s parents, but Weston stood and joined the rest of the wedding party when they were called forward.
It took another fifteen minutes to run through the reading and the final vows before they were dismissed. “I have a few things to ask the reverend,” James said as he approached his parents. “Would you please take Margot with you to the restaurant? The two of us will be along shortly.”
Grace grinned from ear to ear, and Daniel had to wonder if she was hearing round two of the “Wedding March” in her head. Daniel hated to disappoint her, but he and James weren’t getting married, and if he did ever walk down the aisle, it would be to something much more meaningful…like “Dancing Queen.”
“We’ll see you at the dinner,” Holly said to them both, hugging James and then Daniel.
He and James purposely avoided the reverend before following Holly and Howard out into the parking lot. “Have they been able to find an officiant?” Daniel asked quietly, standing near the car.
“Howard was still working on it,” James said. “But I’m wondering what I should do. I don’t want to mess up Holly’s wedding and yet I know I have to do what’s right.”
Daniel nodded. “They know the plan. Stick with it. Howard will find an officiant and Holly doesn’t really want to be married by him anyway.” He tilted his head toward the church building. Daniel got in the car and James did the same, then he made the call on Daniel’s phone so he could have his free for incoming calls. Daniel sat next to him with a hand on his leg, just to show his support.
“I know this is out of the ordinary, but I’m James Petika, a police officer visiting from the Chicago area, and I have something I need to report.” James sounded so confident, and it occurred to Daniel in a passing moment that he wished that confidence would extend to him being honest with his family about who he was. It was shame that he didn’t let them see the impressive man that Daniel saw.