Faithful by Kim Cash Tate Page B

isn’t it? Both of us single, the older siblings—mind if I ask how old you are?”
    Cyd never minded sharing her age. “Thirty-nine.”
    His eyes grew big. “No way. And single? Good as you look? Are you divorced?”
    â€œNever married.”
    â€œKids?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWow.”
    The line moved steadily forward, and she was thankful for the distraction. It was becoming apparent that she couldn’t, by sheer will, force her insides to quit the stupid dips and twirls when he looked at her. Or talked to her. Or stood too close.
    â€œSo when’s the big day?” he was saying. “When do you turn forty?”
    â€œTomorrow.”
    His eyes grew big again. “Seriously? What are you doing to celebrate? I hope you have something planned besides this wedding.”
    Cyd shrugged. “Not really.”
    With Phyllis leaving town, the three friends had made plans to celebrate the following weekend. But after today, she doubted Dana would be in the mood anytime soon.
    â€œOh, that’s crazy.” A glimmer entered his gaze. “I can fix that.
    Let me take you out after the reception. I’ll plan a special evening in celebration of you.”
    Dip . As they began their walk down the aisle, she leaned her head over. “I’m thinking someone might have a problem with that, and I don’t think it was ever established—fiancée or girlfriend?”
    â€œI knew I shouldn’t have brought her,” he muttered under his breath. “She kept hassling me about it, and now she thinks she’s coming to the wedding. If I had known you’d be here . . .”
    Focusing on the woman helped Cyd to steel herself on the inside. “Oh, it’s no problem. My little sister warned me, remember? And if she says I need to stay away from some man, I’d better listen.” Cyd let her arm drop from his as she moved away and into position at the front.
    She was glad Cedric was occupied at the dinner, which was hosted by both families in a private room at a downtown restaurant. As he mingled, took trips to the bar, and seated himself for the meal, his woman—pretty, tall, and slender in a short, revealing dress—was pasted at his side, grabbing his hand or arm if Cyd came near.
    Cyd ignored them both and enjoyed family from out of town and the after-dinner presentations, proud of the way Stephanie and Lindell honored their parents and showed appreciation for bridal party members. She did cringe, though, when Lindell shared the story of how they met.
    â€œI had only recently returned to St. Louis,” he said, “after my residency in Ohio. I’d been going to Living Word for six months and kept noticing Stephanie. It’s hard to miss her, beautiful as she is, but she never noticed me, which was kind of good, I guess. She was there to worship, not to pick up men.” He looked with admiration at his fiancée.
    â€œThen the church held a wellness clinic one Saturday and asked doctors and nurses to volunteer their services, and there was Stephanie, giving her time, signing people in and directing them to the help they needed. By the end of the clinic, I had a date. The rest, as they say, is history. I’m thankful she agreed to marry me.”
    They kissed, and the crowd roared with applause, but Cyd knew the history a little differently. Stephanie had declared from a young age that she was going to be well off, and she was going to marry a doctor or lawyer to make it happen. When the church advertised that clinic, Stephanie, who never volunteered for anything, told Cyd she’d find herself a doctor there. Late that evening, she called with her report.
    â€œI told you I’d meet somebody,” she said. “And we’ve already gone out. Can you believe he’s been going to the eleven thirty service? Not surprised I never noticed him. He’s not really my type, a little overweight and kind of nerdy.