Truth or Date by Susan Hatler

photographer had taken a gazillion pictures of us, the bride with her bridesmaids, over the last hour and it was heaven to have a moment with just the girls. The room was a sea of perfume, flowers, and laughter.
     “Truth or Dare?” Kristen thankfully had been looking at Ellen when she said this, but the words left a pang of regret inside me anyway.
    Ellen giggled as she tapped a finger to her cheek. “Since I’m wearing a white silk dress that cost more than one of my paychecks, I’ll go with Truth.”
    Kristen’s eyes squinted as if she were trying to think of something good. “By marrying Henry, what are you most looking forward to?”
    She responded immediately. “To he and I becoming family.”
    “Awww!” We gushed simultaneously.
    “Hear, hear.” Kristen clinked her champagne flute to Ellen’s, then with the rest of ours.
    “Truth or Dare.” Ellen raised a finger, circling between the three of us bridesmaids, and finally pulled her trigger finger on Rach.
    Rach swallowed the champagne she’d just sipped. “I’ll go Dare.”
    A wicked grin crossed Ellen’s face. “Henry has a friend—”
    “Truth!” Rach waved her arms in protest, nearly sloshing champagne onto her strapless red gown and we all gasped.
    Seeing the dress had staved off danger, Ellen shook her head. “Too late. No changes. You chose Dare. So, let me tell you about Wayne and the fantastic date you’re going to have . . .”
    Ellen’s words echoed inside my head and I admired how she took charge of things. She didn’t wait on life, for herself or her friends. She made it happen. Suddenly, I realized my mistake with George and wished I could go back in time and change it.
    Urgent. It suddenly felt urgent to talk to George. The sooner, the better. I’d call him tomorrow or stop by his place. . . .
    My eyes widened as I realized I’d thought of the apartment as his place. I didn’t even feel bitter about having to move out or drive to work. Kristen’s place felt like home now and I could most definitely see why Ellen had kept their childhood friendship going all these years. Kristen was rapidly becoming a very dear friend.
    “Hello? Gina?”
    Startled, my eyes darted to Rach. “Did you say something?”
    “Wonder where her mind’s at.” She exchanged looks with the other girls. “I said, Truth or Dare.”
    I bit my lip and smiled. “Dare. Most definitely, always, Dare.”
    ****
    Josh and I glided first down the aisle, just as we were taught the night before, and it felt surreal. Canon in D played as we walked down the lacey runner and at the end stood Henry next to the best man, his cousin Mike. If I had to describe Henry in one word, I’d say proud. Second would be handsome. Very handsome in his black tux as he waited for his bride.
    Josh and I exchanged a small smile as we parted ways and stood on our respective sides at the front. Kristen and Adam came down the aisle next, looking ultra glamorous together. Rach appeared a few seconds later, coming toward us with her hair held up on the side with rhinestone clips that matched the ones Kristen and I wore in our hair.
    She winked at Henry who grinned back at her and this is where things started to get very emotional. Ellen and Henry were getting married. Such an epic moment in their lives, committing themselves to one another, and we had the privilege to witness this beautiful ceremony. The music faded and after a short pause, a string quartet rendition of Here Comes the Bride began playing. Everybody stood, pivoting toward the back of the room.
    Seconds later, Ellen appeared in her strapless white gown, elegant and stunning. With her mother at her side, they held hands as they drifted down the aisle together toward Henry. It wasn’t until her mom lifted her veil that my eyes welled. Her mom dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes as she told Ellen how beautiful she looked, gave her a kiss on the cheek, then placed Ellen’s hand in Henry’s.
    As the minister began speaking, I