Chapter 225: Don’t Be Ridiculous

“Are you here to get the towel?” Nancy asked. It was the only reason she could think of that would explain why Noah, the employee from Sea World, would be there.

Noah laughed, and when he did, dimples appeared in his cheeks.

He is a fucking hunk! - thought Nancy, and her face turned red.

Noah helped her to her feet and said, “No, no. Don’t worry about the towel. Consider it a gift to your son. I am here because Miss Smith invited me here to be the best man at her wedding. Is there a problem?”

Nancy: “No... I’m surprised, that's all... I thought she would have asked someone that she is more familiar with, like a family member or a friend. I’m sorry. I hope I haven’t offended you.”

Noah: “No worries. I admit that this is highly unorthodox. Your friend asked me to do this favor for her, and I thought - Why not? It could be fun! I sent you a message yesterday, but you didn’t respond...”

“I must not have seen it,” Nancy lied.” She actually had seen it, but she didn’t want to have any contact with anyone of the opposite sex anymore.

Noah: “Your foot... Does it hurt?”

Nancy: “Probably, yes. It doesn’t matter, though. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Noah looked at the bouquet of flowers in her hand and said, “May I help you?”

Nancy frowned and said, “You must think I’m pretty stupid if you don’t think I’m capable of handling a fist full of flowers.”

Suddenly, Noah picked Nancy up and held her sideways.

“What are you doing?” Nancy cried. “Put me down!” When he did not set her right, she began to struggle.

Before Noah could reply, Paul appeared on the lawn, and when he saw what was going on, he gave Noah a dirty look.

Nancy was embarrassed, and her back stiffened. Since they had returned from Sea World, Paul had been acting very weird. His temper had become more and more unpredictable, and he often snuck around his own home like a ghost. He would appear out of nowhere, and at the worst possible times, with a sarcastic word ready on the tip of his forked devil’s tongue.

“Miss Smith paid me to put on a good show,” Noah whispered. “She said that you want to frustrate your ex-husband. Is that your ex-husband?”

Nancy nodded. She stopped struggling and decided to let him hold her. After all, with her hurt foot, it made sense for someone to help her.

Noah glanced at Paul. “If he tries to hit me, will you help me?” he asked.

Nancy: “If I don’t help you, what are you going to do?”

“This is a job,” Noah replied. “So, if I am injured, I will apply for Worker’s Compensation.”

Noah and Nancy looked at each other, and when they smiled, they looked like a couple in love. Paul’s face got dark, and he turned away. What he saw bothered him.

Noah chuckled and said, “Even if your ex-husband doesn’t love you, it makes him unhappy to see another man hugging his ex-wife.”

****

Crystal stood by the lake, and the water reflected her beauty. Her white wedding dress was spread out around her like the petals of a daisy, covering a large area of grass. Noah stood nearby with Nancy in his arms and a bouquet of flowers in hers. The scene was picture-perfect. The only thing that seemed out of place was Nathan.

Why did Eric invite him? - Crystal wondered. She shook her head bitterly - Wouldn’t it be better if he didn’t come?

“Why is your smile so stiff?” Noah asked her. “You want to have wedding photos that you will be proud to show off, don’t you? Of course, you do! So, try to smile more beautifully.”

Nancy turned to her friend and said, “He is right, you know. When you are old, you will want to be able to show these pictures to your grandchildren! Anyway, you should be happy. I envy you.”

Crystal: “What do you envy?”

Nancy: “I didn’t get to have a wedding dress or a grand ceremony.”

Crystal: “It is not a big deal; I promise you. How difficult is it to wear a wedding dress? You can wear one too if you’d like. Then we would be matching!”

Nancy laughed and said, “That’s hilarious. It is your wedding. I can’t wear a wedding dress.”

Crystal: “What’s the matter? I don’t mind. Who made it a rule that a bridesmaid can’t wear a wedding dress? Or, if you would prefer, you could get married on the same day. Then you would finally get the wedding of your dreams! I think that would be great.”

Nancy: “Please, stop it. Who am I going to marry?”

Crystal looked at Noah, winked, and said, “I can think of someone...”

Nancy: “Don’t be ridiculous!”

Crystal: “I’m not ridiculous. Why don’t you stop arguing for a second and give the idea some thought?”

Nancy was stunned when she realized that Crystal was serious. She had never done such a wild thing, but, suddenly, the idea began to appeal to her. She watched silently as the photographer started to pose for Crystal. Her veil trailed behind her, and a fan had been set up to create the illusion of wind.

Noah helped Nancy to sit on the grass. Then he sat down beside her and took off her white high heels. “Let me see your injury,” he said. “I know First Aid. I can help you.” Nancy nodded, and he began to rub her foot.

****

Eric finally arrived, and much to Crystal’s surprise, he was wearing a white suit. He typically wore leather or denim suits, and she had never seen him looking so slender and handsome. Paul followed him, but he was a few meters behind him.

When Eric arrived at the lake, Crystal smiled and said, “I’d like Nancy to get married the same day as us. Is that okay?”

Eric felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place. He had made a promise to Crystal, but he didn’t have to look at his friend to know that he was probably furious. “Who does Nancy want to marry?” he asked.

Crystal: “Noah. From Sea World.”

Eric: “Okay. The more, the merrier, I guess.”

Nancy opened her mouth to refuse the proposition, but then Noah grabbed her hand and said, “Marry me!”

“What?” Nancy looked confused. Noah smiled wickedly and whispered in her ear: “We’re acting; remember? This is an additional service.” As he spoke, he pulled a prop ring from his pocket and put it on her finger.