"How about this one?"

I looked over at what Blake was pointing to. He was trying. He really was. And he had surprised me by actually showing me some really nice ones to pick for his sister, but he'd brought me here to pick the best, so that's what I was going to do.

"No coloured stones, Blake," I reminded him and he smiled, shaking his head.

"OK," he sighed, "I forgot. I never knew this could be so stressful."

"It's not," I urged, pulling him towards the display I was looking at, "When you look at it, it has to remind you of nothing, but your sister. That's how you pick jewellery."

He watched me for a moment and smiled, nodding. "OK," he said and turned back to the display. I sighed looking over the hordes of lovely, intricate designs of bracelets. Nothing screamed at me to get for Blake's sister. He had shown me a picture of her and nothing matched her in my head. "Hey, Alex?"

"Yeah?" I asked.

He pointed through the glass. "This reminds me of you," he said, fondly.

I think I blushed. I looked down at the ground and smiled as he moved closer to me. The bracelet he was pointing to was probably one of the most delicate I'd ever seen. It was beautiful.

"We're not looking for something for me, we're looking for something for your sister," I said, moving away from him.

"No," Blake said, softly, "You're looking for something for my sister. Not me. I'm looking for anything, really."

"Blake," I said, softly.

He looked up at me. "OK," he sighed, "I want to get something for you, too. I've kind of been trying to think of a way to ask you out. And I think that's it."

He grinned sheepishly at me and I couldn't help, but smile. "What?"

"I like you," he said.

"Oh."

He looked up at me. "So do you want to get something to eat? After we finish this?"

"Sure."

*

He drove me back to his place, after buying me dinner and a bracelet. I was nervous about actually meeting his mom, but he didn't seem to be perturbed. He just seemed genuinely happy that he was going out with me. My luck looked like it was about to turn.

Wait! No. I don't want to jinx it.

Blake walked me in through their door and led me into their living room, where a girl who looked a lot like him, but was smaller and shorter was talking animatedly to everyone else in the room. When she saw us, a huge smile spread across her face and her eyes moved from Blake to me and they widened.

"Oh, joy! You brought home the perfect girl," she said, moving towards us, her eyes shining, "I've been waiting for you!"

Sweat broke on my forehead. "Me?"

"I've been looking for the last bridesmaid and I found her!" she exclaimed, "Mom, isn't she the prettiest?"

"She sure is," Mrs. Carter said, smiling at me. Blake looked like a million bucks.

"Alexandra? Right?" his sister said. She knew my name? She seemed to notice that I might not have known that she knew that piece of information and a devious smile crossed her face. "Oh, Blake didn't tell you that he told us all about you, did he?"

Blake looked absolutely humiliated. "Way to make me look cool," he mumbled before walking off to sit next to his mother.

"Well, I'm Bianca," she told me, "And this is Bryce, my fiancée."

"Hey."

He guy smiled at me. He was taller than Bianca, with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes.

"Now, I'll introduce you to all the bridesmaids and the groomsmen on another day ... wait. Do you want to do this?"

She looked so genuinely hopeful that I wanted to be in her retinue that I couldn't tell her no. "I'd be honoured," I told her and she beamed at me, her dark, big eyes shining. She was so pretty, you could tell she was Blake's sister.

"Now, can you come here on Saturday and I'll show you everything you need to see," she said, "And bring your parents. I'm sure they'd love to see you in the retinue and also to meet me."

"Sure," I smiled back at her, "I'll bring my dad."

"And your mom?"

I bit my lip. "She would have loved to come. I'm sure she'll be with us."

Bianca had a confused look on her face only for a second. Then she gave me a small smile and nodded. "I'm sure she will be."

A silence lingered in the room, but ever-so-bubbly Bianca broke it without a thought.

"Now I have to disappoint you. Blake can't be your groomsman because he's already been paired up, but I'll make sure you have a great guy to walk with you."

"Thanks."

*

"Dish!" was the first thing Hanna told me on Thursday morning.

"About?"

"Your date with the ever so dreamy Blake."

"How'd you know?" I asked, my eyes widening.

She grinned, mercilessly. "Oh, I have my ways."

"Blake told Jackson and Jackson told you?"

She dropped her shoulders. "Yeah, pretty much."

I nodded.

"But this is huge. You don't normally like guys."

I smiled beside myself. "He is pretty great."

"And what about your next date? Can I buy you a bikini?"

*

An early Saturday was unusually welcome for me because of the whole wedding thing. Weddings always made me happy. I think I skipped. I had told dad about it and he was completely on board. I just think he was glad to see me happy after some time. I basically ran all the way to Blake's house. Not really, since I had my car, but if I had to, I would have. Also the fact that my dad was there with me kind of helped me keep it all in.

When I got to Chez Blake, the door was open, so I slowly walked in and I was immediately whisked away by Bianca.

"Hey!" she exclaimed.

"Hi," I replied, "Bianca, this is my father, Hank."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Hale. Why don't you go on in? My parents would want to meet you."

"Sure. Nice to meet you, too, Bianca and congratulations."

"Thanks, Mr. Hale," she said, as she watched my father leave. She turned to me. "You're right on time. We'll leave in a while to go meet the wedding planner and get your measurements and stuff, but I have good news!" Her eyes sparkled.

"What?" I asked, excitedly. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

"I have the hottest groomsman for you," she said, widening her big eyes. I bit my lip.

"Really?"

"Don't worry, I won't tell Blake. He's hot. I think he's about your age."

"Thanks," I laughed, walking into the living room behind her.

"You owe me," she said, softly, "OK, this is your groomsman," she announced to the whole room. I followed her gaze.

Honestly, I can never escape.

I don't know what kind of bad karma I've done in my past lives.

Ten Years Ago

"Parker, you're OK with Alex, aren't you?"

I looked up at Parker's aunt. She was smiling at me. I smiled back. Parker was standing next to me, adjusting his suit.

"Of course, Aunt Becca," he replied, smiling at me, "Alex and I can do anything together."

Parker.