Not Quite A Bride by Kirsten Sawyer

performance-theater for him, and it’s like a dream come true (again, minus the sex) for me.
    â€œJustin, could you get my champagne refilled while I find out what Brad really thinks of you?” I say with a wink.
    We all have a good chuckle and Justin turns toward the bar while Brad and I head onto the dance floor. Brad and I dance in silence for a few minutes; Brad is a fantastic dancer ... his mother forced him to attend cotillion as a kid and it really paid off. Finally I can’t stand it anymore.
    â€œSo? He’s awesome, right?”
    â€œShhh ... I love this song.”
    I’m a little dumbfounded, but okay. I listen to the music and—wouldn’t you know it?—it’s “Just the Way You Look Tonight.” Crap. I look over at Justin and he’s talking to my mother and sister again. Shoot ... please let nobody notice that this is the song I proclaimed to be “ours.” When the song finally ends and some other danceable tune begins to play, Brad finally starts talking.
    â€œI think he seems fake, Molly.”
    My heart skips a beat, “You do? Everyone else loves him.”
    â€œI dunno. Something doesn’t feel right about him. There is something I can’t put my finger on.”
    The sincerity and concern in his voice causes a moment of extreme guilt on my part that I am telling this lie, but it is quickly replaced with a feeling of panic because Brad really likes everybody. I mean, obviously he’s not super picky about personalities if he’s marrying Claire.
    â€œMaybe you’re just being overprotective because you’ve seen me get hurt before,” I say, trying to convince him.
    â€œIt could be. Just be careful. Really keep your eyes open and watch your back.”
    â€œI will, I promise,” I say as I settle back in the comfortable rhythm of Brad’s lead.
    We dance the rest of the song and my mind is racing about what Justin could have said to tip Brad off. I’m thinking so hard I don’t notice Claire come up and physically pull Brad’s arm off my waist. When I look up and see her, she looks pissed and Brad looks like a deer caught in headlights.
    â€œWe were just dancing,” he explains lamely ... which, if you ask me, is clear to anyone with eyes.
    â€œDo you have any idea how it looks for you to be dancing with her at our engagement party?” She motions at me.
    â€œLike he has friends?” I pipe in, trying to be helpful.
    Claire gives me one of her death glares and I shrug and walk away as she scolds Brad. I have bigger things to worry about at this point. As I’m walking off the dance floor, I hear Claire reprimanding Brad. He’s such a weenie when it comes to her ... he doesn’t even try to defend himself. It’s no surprise that he can’t put his finger on something wrong with Justin ... he can’t seem to see Claire’s faults at all!
    I walk up to where Justin is chatting with my mother and sister.
    â€œHey, sweetie,” he says as he hands me my champagne and kisses my head. Damn ... the guy is good. My mom and Jamie look at each other like they are about to melt.
    â€œThat Claire is a pistol, huh?” he asks, looking out onto the dance floor where Brad and Claire are now dancing. She’s leading and still telling him off.
    â€œShe’s the devil,” I whisper in his ear. Since her family is hosting the party, I can’t be too open about my feelings.
    He nods in understanding and Jamie nods, too.
    â€œIt’s sad that all of us have found such wonderful people and he is with her.”
    We all nod sadly and I feel a rush of warmth. I snuggle a little closer to Justin; I’m someone who has found a wonderful person—at last!
    â€œCome on, Molly, let’s dance.” Justin takes my hand and leads me out to the dance floor. I look back at my mother and sister, and I swear my mother wipes a tear from her eye!
    â€œYou are an amazing