Living my life as a professional bridesmaid had its perks, but it also meant that I was always the one organizing, never the one at the altar. I loved my job and was good at it; finding ways to make a special day even more special brought me joy.

Yet, when it came to my own love story, I had one man in mind: my boss, Ethan. My days were filled with meticulously planning weddings for others.

My apartment was a colorful testament to my dedication, filled with bridesmaid dresses of every hue and style.

One evening, after a long day at work, I found myself at yet another wedding. The bride was ecstatic, thanking me for making the event feel so personal and caring. The venue was alive with excitement, and I was in my element, ensuring every detail was perfect.

As I weaved through the crowd, checking on the decorations and making sure everything was running smoothly, I accidentally bumped into Jake, a journalist covering the event.

“Another bridesmaid?” he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Someone has to keep things running smoothly,” I replied, matching his sarcasm with a smile.

“You must love punishment,” he retorted, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Before I could respond, I saw Ethan enter the room. My heart skipped a beat. His presence always had that effect on me. Tall, with an easy smile and kind eyes, he commanded attention effortlessly. I decided to act and invited him for a dance.

“Ethan, would you like to dance?” I asked, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

“I’d love to,” he replied, his smile making my heart flutter even more.

We moved to the dance floor, and as we swayed to the music, I felt a fleeting moment of courage. Maybe tonight was the night I would confess my feelings.

“Ethan, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. But before I could continue, my sister Alice appeared out of nowhere.

“Hanna! Ethan! Fancy seeing you two here,” she exclaimed, her lively personality drawing everyone’s attention as always.

Alice had a knack for making an entrance, and tonight was no different. With her perfect hair and radiant smile, she effortlessly drew Ethan’s attention away from me. I watched as they started chatting animatedly, my heart sinking.

Alice had always been the center of attention, ever since we were kids. She liked the clothes I liked, my hobbies became her hobbies, and, of course, we had similar taste in men.

It was something I had grown to resent. She always seemed to take everything away from me, even now.

As I stood there, feeling invisible, I couldn’t help but reflect on our childhood. Alice was always the special one, the most important. It was as if no matter how hard I tried, I could never quite measure up.

We weren’t kids anymore, but some things never changed. She was still here to overshadow me, to remind me that I was always second.

Trying to shake off the bitterness, I forced a smile and excused myself from the dance floor. I had a job to do, and I wasn’t about to let my personal feelings interfere with making someone else’s day perfect.

But as I moved through the crowd, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ethan and the dance that could have been.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. I managed to keep things running smoothly, receiving compliments and thanks from the guests.

But inside, I felt a storm of emotions. As the night drew to a close, I couldn’t help but wonder if my own happy ending was ever meant to be.

A few weeks later, Alice and I met at our favorite cozy café. The place was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

We settled into a corner booth, and I could tell from her beaming smile that she had big news to share.

“Hanna, you won’t believe it!” Alice said, barely able to contain her excitement. “I’m dating someone really special.”

I nodded, trying to muster enthusiasm. Alice falling in love was a common occurrence. She had a way of quickly getting swept up in new relationships, only for them to fizzle out just as fast. I never really took her relationships seriously.

“That’s great, Alice,” I replied, sipping my coffee. “Who’s the lucky guy this time?”

She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with joy. “It’s Ethan.”

I froze, the cup halfway to my lips. “Ethan? Our Ethan? My Ethan?”

“Yes! Isn’t it amazing?” she gushed. “We met at that wedding a few weeks ago, and it was like magic. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

My mind was racing, trying to process what she was saying. Ethan, the man I had secretly loved for so long, was now dating my sister. It felt like a punch to the gut. But the worst was yet to come.

“And guess what?” Alice continued, her voice rising with excitement. “Ethan proposed to me! We’re getting married!”

I felt the world tilt around me. My heart sank, but I forced a smile. “I’m so happy for you, Alice. Sure, I will help with the wedding.”

She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Thank you, Hanna. I knew I could count on you. You’re the best sister ever.”

I nodded, barely able to keep my emotions in check. As always, my little sister was the priority. I had to be the supportive and loving sister, even when my heart was breaking.

Returning to my apartment, I sought comfort in the familiar routine of wedding planning.

My small space, usually a haven filled with colorful bridesmaid dresses and planning materials, now felt suffocating. The news of their engagement haunted my thoughts, and I couldn’t escape the feeling of betrayal.

That evening, as I sat surrounded by wedding invitations and fabric samples, there was a knock at the door.

It was Jake, the journalist who had been covering some of the weddings I planned. He had come for an interview about my life as the city’s most prolific bridesmaid.

“Hey, Hanna,” Jake greeted me with his usual sarcastic grin. “Ready to spill the secrets of your bridesmaid empire?”

I managed a weak smile. “Come on in, Jake.”

We sat down, and he started asking questions about my work. But his sharp eyes didn’t miss the sadness I tried to hide.

“So, you’re in love with your boss?” he remarked suddenly, catching me off guard. His tone was a mix of curiosity and sympathy.

“It’s complicated,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

Jake’s expression softened. “You know, Hanna, it’s okay to be honest about how you feel. Sometimes you have to put yourself first.”

His words struck a chord. I had spent so much time putting others first, especially Alice. Maybe it was time to consider my own happiness.

As Jake left that evening, I felt a tiny spark of hope amidst the heartbreak. It was a glimmer of possibility that perhaps, just perhaps, I could find a way to heal and move forward.

But for now, I had a wedding to plan—one that I wished with all my heart I wasn’t a part of.

As Alice’s wedding preparations began, I threw myself into my duties as her maid of honor. I needed to keep busy, to distract myself from the constant ache in my heart. I accompanied Alice to countless bridal shops, helping her choose the perfect dress.

Each fitting, each alteration, felt like a needle prick to my soul, but I smiled through it all. Alice was blissfully unaware of my feelings, chattering excitedly about her plans.

“Hanna, what do you think of this one?” Alice twirled in yet another white gown, her eyes shining with joy.

“It’s beautiful, Alice. You look stunning,” I replied, forcing enthusiasm into my voice.

Next came the bachelorette party planning. I organized everything down to the last detail, from the venue to the decorations to the games.

It was my way of coping, immersing myself in tasks that left little room for brooding thoughts. I needed to be the supportive sister, no matter how much it hurt.

Jake continued to shadow me for his article. His presence was unexpectedly comforting. His blunt honesty and sharp humor became my outlet for frustrations I couldn’t express to anyone else.

“How do you do it, Hanna?” Jake asked one day, watching me juggle a dozen tasks at once. “Always putting others first, even when you’re hurting?”

“It’s what I’ve always done,” I shrugged. “Besides, it keeps my mind off things.”

Slowly, Jake’s admiration for my strength and kindness grew, and so did his feelings for me. His sincerity and straightforwardness began to peel away the layers of my guarded heart.

One evening, after an especially exhausting day of wedding prep, Jake and I decided to go out for drinks. We found a quiet bar and settled into a booth, the dim lighting and soft music creating a cozy atmosphere.

“To surviving another day of wedding madness,” Jake toasted, clinking his glass with mine.

We laughed and began sharing stories about our lives. Jake opened up about his cynicism about love, revealing that it stemmed from a past heartbreak. His vulnerability touched me deeply.

“I guess I’ve just seen too many relationships fall apart,” he admitted, swirling his drink. “It’s hard to believe in happy endings.”

“I understand,” I said softly. “But maybe, just maybe, things can turn out differently.”

He looked at me with a warmth in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed before. “Maybe they can,” he agreed.

As the night wore on, I started to see Jake in a new light. He wasn’t just the sarcastic journalist I had known; he was someone who genuinely cared, someone who saw me for who I was. For the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of hope.

The evening ended with a sense of promise. While I still had a wedding to plan for my sister, I began to realize that maybe, amidst all the chaos, there was a chance for my own happiness too.

The venue was decorated beautifully, with flowers in every corner and fairy lights twinkling like stars. I moved quickly from one task to another, my clipboard in hand, making sure all the details were just right.

Standing beside Alice, watching her marry the man I loved, was a bittersweet mix of pride and sorrow. She looked radiant in her dress, her happiness evident in every smile.

As she and Ethan exchanged vows, I felt a pang in my heart. I was proud of her, but I couldn’t ignore the ache of unfulfilled love.

After the ceremony, the reception was in full swing. Laughter and music filled the air as guests mingled and celebrated.

I tried to stay busy, but it was hard to keep my emotions in check. Then, I saw Jake approaching me, his expression thoughtful.

“Hey,” he said gently, “You look like you could use a break.”

I nodded, grateful for his presence. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

We slipped away from the festivities and found a quiet spot in the garden. The night was cool, and the stars above provided a serene backdrop.

“You deserve someone who sees you for the amazing person you are,” Jake said softly, his eyes full of sincerity. “You deserve happiness, Hanna.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. I realized it was time to prioritize my own happiness.

“Thank you, Jake,” I said, my voice steady. “I needed to hear that.”

Returning to the reception, I found Ethan and Alice and congratulated them with genuine warmth. They both smiled, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Then, I made my way to the dance floor where Jake was waiting.

As we danced, Jake and I shared a genuine, heartfelt moment. We talked about the future, and he confessed his feelings for me.

“Hanna, I’ve come to care about you a lot,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I want to be there for you.”

Finally ready to let go of Ethan, I admitted I felt the same. “I care about you too, Jake.”

The night ended with our kiss under the twinkling lights, symbolizing a new beginning for both of us.

At that moment, I realized that being a bridesmaid was just the start of my own story. And maybe, just maybe, I could find my own happily ever after.

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