Today is the day that I've been waiting for for the past two months since my best friend Jason asked me to do the honours of being his Best Man at his wedding. Although I'm happy that Jason's found the love of his life and wants to spend the rest of his life with her, my eagerness for this day isn't to do with him tying the knot with his betrothed, it's down to the fact that by ancient tradition the Best Man tries to hook up with and take one of the Bridesmaids to bed if she's single. And Jason, with a coy smile, has informed me that all three Bridesmaids are young, single and beautiful.
I stand there with Jason at the front of the church, watching as his Bride, Maria, begins walking down the aisle with her three Bridesmaids.
It takes all my efforts not to swear at Jason when I see just who Maria's Bridesmaids are: Sara, Maria's 12 year old sister; Fiona, the 10 year old neighbour girl that Maria and Jason babysit on occasion; and Lisa, Jason's 9 year old niece.
I give Jason a swift, dark look, so brief that only he caught it. Though he was telling me the truth that all 3 Bridesmaids were young, single and beautiful, he forgot to tell me the most important thing about them, they're all under age. That's the end of my plan to score with one of the Bridesmaids. Or is it? Maybe I'll still make an attempt to bed one or more of them, just to spite Jason.
***
After the wedding, we all head to the wedding reception which is held in a posh hotel with an event hall. Jason and Maria have briefly retired to the honeymoon suite to 'change into something more comfortable' before the dinner and the speeches. It's at this point that I decide to make my move.
Looking around the event hall, I see that ${Sara/Fiona/Lisa} is on her own, looking towards the dance floor longingly. I figure that this is my best chance to get close to one of the Bridesmaid's.
"Hey ${Sara/Fiona/Lisa}, did you enjoy being a Bridesmaid?" I ask casually. "It's a big responsibility."
"Yes," the girl replies excitedly, "it made me feel special."
"You are special." I answer, causing the girl to beam brightly at me. "Now, I couldn't help notice that you were looking longingly at the dance floor. Do you want to dance?"
"Yes, I'd love to dance! But... there's nobody here my age to dance with..." she answers, a little downhearted.
Another quick look around the hall confirms it, there isn't anyone else her age around, the other two Bridesmaids are nowhere to be seen.
"Well, let me tell you a secret, ${Sara/Fiona/Lisa}. It's tradition for the Best Man to dance with one of the Bridesmaid's at a wedding reception. So I'll dance with you, if you want." I tell the girl.
"Really? Are you sure it's okay?" She asks nervously.
"Of course, it's tradition. And you know how important it is to honour traditions." I answer, taking the girl's hand and leading her onto the dance floor.