CHAPTER 1
NEVER THE BRIDE

MAY 14, 2021

ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID, never the bride, her mother liked to tell her.

But this situation was different, because Tabitha actually wasn't picked to be a bridesmaid. She was the bride's best friend, but Hina had said she wanted to keep the bridal party simple with just her 3 sisters. That didn't mean Tabitha hadn't been invited to all the bridal party shenanigans though. She still didn't remember half of the bachelorette party.

The bridal party number matched the same amount of groomsmen, with Hina's fiancé picking his brother and 2 best friends. Tabitha hadn't fully made up her mind on how she felt about Ren Fukumoto yet, and she had known him even before he started dating Hina. But she figured he probably was the best guy for her friend, understanding and sweet to a fault. She knew that deep down, had known that since she first met him when she had been with –

"Ow!" Hina hissed.

Tabitha blinked at the sudden outburst, watching her friend get her brows plucked by the makeup artist in front of her. She turned in her chair, trying to distract herself by playing with the front pieces of hair getting in her eyes. It was probably a good thing that she stopped her thought there. The last thing she needed was to be reminded of someone she'd like to forget.

She stood, taking in the sight of Hina's 3 sisters. They all wore baby pink dresses, but in different styles, and their dark hair was placed in precious ringlets. Tabitha was wearing a dress she'd had in her closet for years: a long, black dress that cinched her tall frame just perfectly, with a sweetheart neckline and thin straps. A velvet bow was placed in the middle of the neckline as cream-colored lace was layered underneath the ruffled cups, adding a delicate element to a once-boring dress. Her long hair was pulled into a simple updo with a claw clip, wavy strands framing her face, and she hugged a white shawl around her bare arms for warmth.

Standing from her chair, she walked over to where Hina was getting her makeup done in front of the natural light. Tabitha had been the only non-bridesmaid allowed in the bridal suite, and she was grateful, simply so she could admire her friend's beauty. They had started her makeup early, and the wedding wasn't until the evening. But Hina was going to try her hardest not to procrastinate. She was going to be ready and beautiful before anyone even arrived at the venue. Still, Tabitha knew she didn't need it – Hina was beautiful enough as it was.

"Ren is gonna lose it when he sees you in that dress," Tabitha commented, gesturing to her wedding dress hanging up. Hina originally picked out a pearl-white kimono, but after deciding she wanted more of a Western-style wedding, she ditched it for a traditional gown. She was happy to not only put way less stress on her guests but also herself when it came to attire.

Hina chuckled, closing her eyes as the makeup artist started applying eyeshadow. "As long as he doesn't make that ridiculous face he does in front of the photographer, he's allowed to do whatever." She reached out and cupped Tabitha's hand for a moment. "You, on the other hand ... you're making a weird face. You're doing that thing with your eyebrows when you're nervous. How are you more nervous than me on this day?"

Tabitha scoffed, maintaining that look of complete poise. "I'm not nervous," she replied and crossed her arms, leaning against the window behind her. "I'm excited for you."

"You're literally the worst liar," Hina snickered, opening her eyes so the artist could swipe shadow underneath her eye. "I don't know exactly who Ren invited to the wedding. Well, I know a few, but not everyone off the top of my head. I know the number we agreed to and my people. That's it."

"What are we even talking about right now?"

"I don't know if Ren invited him. That's all I'm saying," she continued, hardly answering Tabitha's question. "You're worried about that, aren't you?"

Tabitha shook her head. It was her turn not to answer. "I don't want to talk about me. Today's your day."

"Well, I want to be distracted. I walk down the aisle in about three hours and want to gossip. Humor me." Hina gave her friend a deadpanned look, then gestured to her youngest sister in college with a finger. "Plus, if he is coming, Saori wants to know. She's had a crush on him since she met him at a birthday party I threw for Ren."

Tabitha glanced at Saori, whose jaw went slack at her older sister's confession, and then turned back to the mirror to finish applying her makeup. Maybe Saori had a chance if he was suddenly into 22-year-olds, but she doubted it.

"I'm kidding. Well, kind of. It doesn't matter." Hina waved off the tidbit with her hand, lowering her eyes slightly so mascara could be applied to her lashes. "It's fine if you're nervous about seeing him – if he's going. You guys were together for a long time."

"Some would say too long," she muttered, looking out the window. "Some would say I wasted three years." Her tone was laced with agitation, but she couldn't ignore the sweet memories of him that crept up. Irritation blurred into fondness, remembering the day he came up to her at that bar, remembering the way he kissed her for the first time –

She shook her head.

"Some would," Hina finally agreed. "Some would also say I orchestrated the entire thing when I met you at the bar late. And now, look where we are. I'm marrying his old coworker."

Tabitha laughed, and it was genuine this time. The nerves swelling in her gut seemed to melt away as her friend reached out and squeezed her hand again. "Thanks," Tabitha muttered and then joked, "and if Saori wants him, feel free. He's a little old now though."

Hina threw her hand up and exclaimed, "Hear that, Saori?! Tabby's gonna let you go for her ex!"

Saori turned to her sister angrily. "Oh, shut up!"

━━━━━━

The ceremony was beautiful – more beautiful than anyone could've hoped for. They had the wedding right on Furuzamami Beach in Okinawa, choosing a sunny destination over a chapel, because those two liked to be anything but traditional. An event tent curled over the guests as they watched the couple exchange promises to each other, but Hina and Ren were out in the setting sun, giving the photographer perfect lighting.

In typical Hina fashion, she came up with her vows on the spot. Tabitha would never admit it to Ren, but ... her vows were 10 times better than the ones that he probably took months to perfect. It wasn't a competition though, she realized, watching the lights twinkle above them as Ren slid the wedding band on Hina's finger.

Tabitha couldn't help but let her eyes wander as each guest stood up to clap for the happy couple. She wasn't exactly looking for him, merely just ... scanning the room. She recognized Hina's parents near the front, along with Ren's family. Their old coworker at HQ, Naomi, was seated in Tabitha's row with her girlfriend. About two rows behind them was Aki Fushiguro, and when their eyes connected, she swiftly turned back to Hina and Ren in the front.

She wasn't surprised Aki was here, and he wasn't even the person she was originally worried about. Aki had been a close family friend to Ren since they were kids, and Hina, per usual, had been the one to set Tabitha up with him in the first place. It had been after a couple of bad dates, bad flings, bad everything – and although Aki was older than what she typically dated, she gave him a chance. A really good chance, in fact. He had been her longest relationship since ... everything. And it wasn't that he wasn't a good man – he actually passed every test with flying colors – it was simply her. In the 5 months that they dated, she was the one who didn't love him as much as he loved her. She tried. She couldn't. The end.

Tabitha had come to terms then with what her problem was. In the past 2 years, she tried to find him in every other man she went on a date with. And that was just physically impossible. Tabitha knew that this had to be some toxic trait within herself to still adore the qualities of a man who lied to her – whatever that lie may have been, she'll never know – but he had never been all bad. No, he had been good. So good that sometimes she still thought of him late at night, when her bed felt too cold just by herself. Their relationship had only soured near the end, when the lies started. Besides that, he had always been attentive to her, put together, never straying – like he was her very own creature of habit.

She blinked. Today certainly wasn't the day to reminisce on that.

The reception was held in another event tent, more off the coastline. The tables were delicately laid out around the main table, where Hina, Ren, and their parents sat. The tent was adorned with more twinkling lights and flowers native to the area, the color of Hina's bridesmaid dresses. Each table was decorated with lights inside of a vase, and then a polaroid from when Hina and Ren first started dating was placed at the top. They spared no expense with a live band and an open bar that handed out a shot of sake with your first drink.

But clearly, whoever set up these seating arrangements was out to get her, because Tabitha was seated right next to Aki. Please, someone kill me now, she thought to herself, slowly walking over to the table. Aki was currently talking to Naomi and her girlfriend, who thankfully Tabitha could also bother instead of speaking to her ex-boyfriend.

"Hi, everyone," she greeted as softly as she could, but Aki still heard her. Of course, he did. And he slowly lifted his head to her as she sat down in the seat next to him, taking in her pretty dress. From the corner of her eye, Tabitha was sure she saw him gulp. He had always been a little timid in that way.

"Tabitha Li," he said, almost astonished. He always called her by her first and middle name after he found out the meaning behind, Li. He had told her that it made sense she was gifted with a name that meant beautiful, because she was one of the most exquisite women he had ever seen.

That was when she knew he was way more in love with her than she was with him. She wasn't sure if she ever felt that deeply for him, no matter how hard she tried.

"You look nice," he added, clearing his throat and turning away, trying to keep himself distracted. His dark hair was gelled; his blue eyes were wary.

Tabitha played with her hands underneath the table. "As do you," she replied just as quickly, looking at Naomi on the other side of the table. Her former coworker glanced between the two of them as if she knew something was up. "Naomi," Tabitha smiled, "your dress is stunning."

Naomi played with the sparkling orange fabric of her dress. "I'm glad Hina invited me so I could finally wear this out. It's been catching dust in my closet." She then looked to her girlfriend beside her and grinned. "Oh, I should introduce you. Tabitha, this is my partner, Maryam. She's also from America. We met during a vacation I took to New York City like ... three years ago, right?"

Maryam nodded. "I'm surprised you remembered that. You're awful with dates." She then reached over the table, clasping her hand around Tabitha's. "Nice to meet you."

Tabitha took in Maryam's thick dark hair wrapped up in a braided updo, her yellow jumpsuit making her warm brown skin glow. Her makeup was effortless, yet beautiful – much like Naomi's simple pink lip – with just a hint of gold shimmer in the corner of her eyes.

"I always wanted to visit New York City, but never managed to get there," Tabitha said, trying not to notice Aki staring at her. Every so often, he would glance at Hina, who was getting situated at the main table. "Where in New York are you from?"

"Brooklyn," Maryam replied, "born and raised."

Tabitha opened her mouth to respond, but then Aki was saying in her direction, "You used to say how you thought you were meant to be born in Brooklyn." Despite his usual weary expression, he sent her a small smile. The kind of smile that reminded her why he had been her longest relationship after him.

"You remembered that?" She asked, swallowing down her surprise. She then turned to the other women at the table and tried to distract herself from Aki's closeness once again. "Like Maryam, Aki had never been too good with dates either."

He was still looking at her. "I always remembered the important ones."

Tabitha glanced back at him. Other people started to take their seats at the table.

"You just didn't give me enough time to remember many," he muttered amongst the chaos, and she desperately hoped no one else could hear. "I think we should talk."

Servers were starting to hand out glasses of champagne. Tabitha blinked in Aki's direction. "We're talking right now," she whispered, "at a pretty inopportune time, might I add."

"You know what I mean."

"No, I don't. And I don't think I want to." A hand placed a glass in front of her, and Tabitha decided champagne was the last thing she wanted right now. "I need something stronger," she said under her breath.

Before Aki could get out another word, Tabitha stepped out of her seat, already feeling her feet start to burn from her high heels. She headed for the open bar, watching the crowd of guests split apart as they went for their assigned seats. A familiar musk hit her senses, mixed with the warm ocean breeze coming off the coast. As she pushed past a tall, older man from the groom's family, her feet halted in place, taking in who was standing at the bar. Blonde hair slicked back ever so slightly. A glass of whiskey in hand. Black tux pressed to perfection. The same dress shoes he owned for years shiny like new.

Enter (once again): Kento Nanami.

A/N: HE'S BAAAAAAAAACK