Fourth Down Baby: A May-December Romance by Lauren Landish

back here.”
    “Dani's wedding . . . it seems so strange,” I muse, sipping my wine. It's another change I've made. Back when Whitney was in high school, I'd never touch the stuff except for communion. “When she brought my invitation by, I swear she hasn't changed. She could pull out her old cheerleading uniform and look like she's ready to be back on the sidelines in about five minutes.”
    Whitney laughs softly, then shakes her head. “Nah, but I bet Pete wouldn't mind seeing her in that little skirt we used to wear. Knowing Dani, she's probably still got it somewhere just for that reason.”
    I blush at the allusion, and Whitney chuckles. “Mom, I'm not eighteen anymore, and I guess I'm a little more open than I used to be.”
    “I can appreciate that,” I tell her, taking another sip of wine. “As long as you know to watch yourself around Laurie. I'd prefer if she didn't continue the teen mom trend we've started. I think our ignoring that side of ourselves is what helped create the problem.”
    “Maybe,” Whitney says, musing. “I wanted to ask you something. What do you think about my reaching out to Troy Wood? He gave me his phone number, and I'm torn about it. I mean, Laurie should get to know her father.”
    “If you want my opinion . . . you should. He's got a flawless reputation around town, and I think it was a mistake waiting this long. So if you bring him by some time, I promise that I'll be nicer to him than I was five years ago.”
    “Thanks, Mom,” Whitney says. “On another note . . . are you coming to the wedding?”
    I nod and smile. I can't help it. Maybe I'm chasing a little fantasy, but maybe Cory will be there. I've never told Whitney about it—it's just a foolish woman's little fantasy. Sure, he asked me to coffee the last time he was in town, but there's no way he'd still be interested in me. “I'll go. I can't promise the reception, but I'll go.”
    “Great. You can help me with the horrible dress Mrs. Barkovich picked out. Dani sent me a picture. I'm going to need a barf bag for that thing.”

    * * *
    I see what Whitney means as she and the other bridesmaids stand at the front of the church, which is blissfully cool instead of stifling like it is outside. Ninety-five in August. No wonder so many weddings are starting to take place in the fall and winter.
    Whitney gives me a smile as she goes by in her green and pink taffeta monster, and Laurie, who's wearing her best Easter dress and has been shifting around already for five minutes, tugs on my arm. “Why is Mama dressed like a wad of taffy candy?”
    “Shh, Laurie.” I chuckle, patting her knee. “We can talk about it later, I promise.”
    The groomsmen are next down the aisle, and I feel a warm tingle inside me as I see Cory walking in behind Troy, who dwarfs everyone else as he comes in. I feel bad for Pete Barkovich. It's his day, but Troy's a star, and even though he's trying to be inconspicuous, when you're a League player in a small town like Silver Lake Falls, you get noticed.
    Still, despite having a millionaire in the group, my eyes are fixed on Cory as he walks in behind Troy. He reaches the front and as he turns, his eyes meet mine, and there's a spark between us. He's matured, from a boy into a man, and that man . . . is the sort of man I've always dreamed of. Even in high school, he had that sort of suave aura to him, but now, with five years of maturity under his belt, I can't help it—my heart's speeding up.
    “Hi,” Cory mouths to me, and I know I'm blushing.
    “Hi,” I mouth back with a little smile, but before I can continue, the music starts, and Pete comes in on his part before Dani comes down, an angel in sleek white, a beautiful bride.
    During the ceremony, Laurie tries her best, but she's little, and all the music and talking is boring to her, and she's constantly fidgeting. “When will they be finished?” she asks, and I have to chuckle when I see Whitney's eyes flicker over. “They've been