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The resort was packed with his and Savannah’s family and friends, everything decorated with elegant flowers and silk ribbons sparkling under golden lights.
“I am fucking happy,” Hendrix said, adjusting his tie.
He didn’t look nervous. He looked confident and calm, like he wasn’t standing on a raised dais, waiting for his future wife to walk down the aisle in a white dress.
“What did you get us?” he asked, a playful grin on his face.
“A bread maker,” I joked, thinking about the actual gift I’d tucked onto the gift table, which was an envelope with an all-expenses paid vacation inside it. He could afford it, but who didn’t love a free trip especially after just getting married?
Music started to play softly, and I clapped him on the back before hurrying to my designated seat, my heart stopping when I saw who took up the spot next to it.
Brynn.
Of course, Savannah had us seated together, the arrangements were made months ago.
Brynn looked stunning in a simple black dress that hugged her curves, her makeup simple and her hair swept back in a classic, clean look.
My heart climbed up my throat as I sat down, not able to focus on the succession of bridesmaids walking down the aisle.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered.
She shifted in her chair. “Thank you,” she whispered back. “You look good too.”
Hope flared in my veins, but I kept it in check. Just like I had any time she spoke to me at the office these last two weeks. Every conversation we had was casual, nothing intimate or serious, but itfueledme in ways she probably didn’t even realize.
Not talking to her was the worst, but I wanted to give her the space she’d asked for. And I only went into the marketing firm if it was absolutely necessary, despite the temptation to show up for no reason simply because she’d given me an in by speaking more than two words to me.
“Can we talk yet?” I whispered, just asHere Comes the Bridestarted to play. “Like really talk,” I continued as we all stood up.
“Shh,” she chided me, turning to smile at Savannah who looked absolutely gorgeous walking down the aisle.
I spun to look at Hendrix, smiling at my friend and how damn happy he looked watching Savannah walk toward him on her father’s arm. It was an epic moment, especially since I never thought Hendrix would be one to fall in love and settle down.
I never thought I would either, especially when my father had been such a prick to my mom during their marriage, making it look more like a joke than a partnership.
But I knew better. I think I’d always known better but I’d been a stubborn asshole who let fear rule his life instead of doing what I normally did, which was go after whatever the fuck I wanted.
Now I knew what I wanted, what I needed more than anything on this planet.
“Brynn,” I whispered as we sat back down, Savannah and Hendrix turning to face each other. “I need you to know—”
“Shh,” she whispered again. “Reception. Okay? This istheirmoment.”
I swallowed hard, relief pulsing through me at her declaration.
“Reception,” I agreed, relishing the way her arm brushed mine as we watched our friends get married. Hendrix was getting the happily ever after he deserved, and I could only hope after tonight, I’d be given the chance to fight for mine too.
* * *
The reception was wellunderway by the time Brynn was finally alone, sitting at a round table near the dance floor. Hendrix and Savannah were on their who-knows-how-many dance, laughing and talking and kissing like the newlyweds they were.
There were other couples on the dance floor around them, all of them soaking up the time to spend with friends and family to celebrate the happy union.
I should be out there too, but the only person I wanted to dance with was Brynn, and we had some talking to do before I could ask such a ridiculous question.
“Is this seat taken?” I asked as I approached the table.
“Nope,” Brynn said, her tone light and easy, not showing a hint of strain. It’d been that way all last week too, and we’d even laughed together when I mentioned what Ethan had said to Doyle at the game she’d missed.
