Thanks again! As usual you guys are awesome
Today is the day of Mimi's bridal shower, and she insists on the whole wedding party being there, including me and my groomsmen. Tai and my brother T.K. don't seem to mind going to the bridal shower, since Sora and Kari will be there, but I consider this event for women only.
"It's not that big of a deal Matt," My twenty-one year old brother states laughing.
"Shut up T.K." I grumble. "You just want to go so you can follow Kari around all night!"
I hear Tai chuckle, causing me more annoyance. "I'm sure Tai here can't wait to see Sora again," I huff.
"Really, Tai and Sora?" T.K. asks in amazement. "I thought Sora was getting married to that rich guy?"
"She is," Tai responds smirking at me, "Your brother's just got his panties all in a bunch." He walks past me and leans against the threshold of my door. "He's just got pre-marriage jitters; he'll lighten up by the time the bachelor party gets here."
I laugh as T.K. expresses his own excitement over my bachelor party,
"Am I even allowed to watch strippers with my little sister's boyfriend?" Tai muses.
"I thought Kari was dating Davis," I say causing the two of them to laugh harder. It was meant to make T.K. mad but I guess he's not worried about Davis, Kari's other love interest.
We all have a laugh at my little brother expense, and I begin to lighten up a little.
I look around the party room of Stone Hollow Country Club where Mimi's bridal shower is being held. There are about fifty of our closest friends and family mingling around and I'm very happy for the success. I'm slightly upset that Cale really didn't show up to the party, but I haven't really had time to dwell on it, as I've been busy making sure everything goes smoothly.
I see Tai making his way towards me, and I get a sudden rush of anxiety. I quickly smooth the wrinkles on my pale pink Gucci dress as he gets close.
"Hi Tai," I greet him with a smile, tucking my bang behind my ear.
"How are you tonight Sora?" he asks me.
"I'm great; just happy that the stress of planning this party has gone away." I tell him.
"Well it looks like quite a success," he compliments putting his hands in his slacks pockets and looking out at the party.
"Thank you. One down, three more to go!" I state referring to the Rehearsal dinner tomorrow, the Bachelorette party Friday, and the actual Wedding Day on Saturday.
"Then you'll have to start planning your own wedding huh?" he half mocks half asks.
"I'm not even going to think about my own wedding until the spring," I complain absently. I don't want to send the wrong impression about my desire to get married. "Wedding planning is stressful, and I plan on doing things much more simple than 'Princess Mimi'"
He laughs; I like the sound of his laughter. It's genuine and friendly.
"I'm serious Tai," I tell him, chuckling myself. "Mimi has stressed out everyone with her strict details and rules. She had her napkins imported! Her napkins!" This causes him to laugh harder.
"I just want a quick simple wedding," I finish motioning the simplicity with my hands.
"Matt is equally stressed. He's had a bad attitude all day," Tai says chuckling.
"Men tend to do that before their weddings," I laugh with him, "He'll be fine once it's all over. They both will"
As Tai and I continue to converse I steal glances at him. He looks very handsome in the simple slacks and button up. I'm actually surprised he's single. Or at least I think he's single.
I did notice him spending quite a bit of time smiling and talking to the photographer that Mimi hired to take pictures of the events.
Not that I care. I'm engaged remember. For some reason I'm just really interested in getting to know Tai.
The next night I have another chance to chat with Tai at the rehearsal dinner, which Cale has to miss due to mass amounts of paperwork he has to prepare before his trip.
"So is this how the rich dine every night?" He asks me motioning towards the abundance of cuisines that are sprawled across the long table that is set up in the country club dining hall.
"Yeah, typically." I say bringing my forkful of steamed lobster to my mouth.
"No regular food?"
I can't help but laugh, "Lobster, backed duck, and filet mignon aren't regular food?" I ask sarcastically.
"I'll say no," he responds smiling. Damn that smile of his. It gives me chills and I don't know why.
"I told you, Mimi is over the top sometimes." I remind him of our previous conversation. He nodded and takes a bite of the duck. "So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" I ask, hoping he'll tell me about Matt's bachelor party.
"Yeah right, like I'd tell you!" he laughs covering his mouth his napkins.
"It was worth a try," I smirk.
"Don't worry, I'll keep him on his best behavior," he assures me.
"Deal," I say. I notice the same girl from the wedding shower walking towards us with her camera. "I've seen you talking to the photographer quite a bit. She a friend of yours?" I tease suggestively. I wouldn't blame him; she's very cute, but I think she seems a little younger than we are. I watch her slowly approach smiling bright as she takes pictures of everyone at the table. She's petite in stature, appearing to only stand about 5'5" tall without the two-inch sandals she is wearing. Her thin body looks very nice in the black pencil skirt and pink ruffled blouse. What really captivates her beauty is the cute pixie cut her hair is styled in. I see a few places that could be professionally neatened up, but that's just the stylist in me.
Tai follows my eyes and he laughs when realizes who I'm talking about. Before he can explain, the younger girl walks over and aims her camera at us, "Smile guys!"
I'm slightly taken aback when I feel Tai wrap is arms around me waist and pull me closer for the pose. After she snaps the photo and inspects it Tai speaks to her.
"Kari, this is Sora Takenouchi. Mimi's Maid of Honor and a close friend of Matt's." he motions to me after releasing my waist. "Sora, this is my sister Kari Kamiya." He replies putting an emphasis on sister. I'm kind of embarrassed but oddly relieved by his introduction of the girl as his sister.
"Nice to meet you Sora," Kari extends her hand to mine. I accepted it in a short handshake. "I've heard a lot about you." She adds with a wink.
"The pleasure is mine Kari," I reply laughing at her subliminal message.
Tai also chuckles and I can tell he's a little embarrassed. After Kari walks away he turns to me and grins
"She means, I mentioned your wreck when I told my family about the promotion offer." He explains.
"Sure…" I joke. "You're sister is very pretty." I add.
"Is that the reason you thought she was my girlfriend," he teases causing me to blush.
"Well you never mentioned whether or not you were single," I say shrugging my shoulders.
"Well I am single." He tells me, causing my heart to skip. What's that mean to me though? I am not single. "My life is too hectic to have a girlfriend."
"That's actually a very decent way of thinking." I tell him, "Trust me, I have a fiancé with a hectic life," I don't bother to mask the anger in my voice.
"Well if you ever need a friend to hang out with, I'm around," his words shock me. It's like he's been reading my secret yearnings. I look at his eyes and find that he is being genuine in his proposal.
"Careful what you ask for. I just might take you up on that," I tell him smiling timidly. With Matt, Mimi, and Cale out of the picture for a while, it wouldn't hurt to have a friend.
I was happy to find the perfect opportunity to take Matt's advice and offer Sora my friendship. I could tell that Matt's words were true when I heard the venom in her voice at the mention of her fiancé.
"I wouldn't mind hanging out with you at all." I tell her to assure her that I meant what I said. "I'm sure it's going to get lonely when the Newlyweds out of commission." I tell her.
I'm surprised when she confesses that her fiancé will also be in and out of the country for some time.
"Then its set. Whenever you get bored, just give me a call." I give her my phone number; Mimi has already given me hers, and we continued to chat with each other until the dinner ends.
I'm happy to end this night with a newfound friendship with a very cute and interesting girl.
Hope you all enjoy!
