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Cade nods, glancing at the night sky before focusing back on me. “Listen, Aria, I know things might get a bit...complicated tomorrow.”
I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Complicated? How so?”
He exhales, as if preparing himself for what he’s about to say. “We have a history, you and I, things weren’t exactly smooth when I left. And now, with us being paired up for the wedding, I just want to make one thing clear.”
I look at him, waiting for him to continue. His gaze meets mine, unwavering. “Tomorrow, no matter how it feels, we’re here for Joe and Rose. Whatever happened between us, it’s in the past. We owe it to them to put on a good show, but let’s not let it complicate things further.”
His words hang in the air, and I find myself processing the sincerity in his eyes. “Agreed,” I say, matching his resolve. “Tomorrow is about Joe and Rose. We’ll play our parts as maid of honor and best man.”
Cade nods, a hint of gratitude in his expression. “Thanks, Aria. I know we’re both good at putting on a good front when we need to.”
A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. “Yeah, we were the best actors in our childhood adventures, weren’t we?”
He chuckles, the tension between us momentarily easing. “Absolutely. We can pull this off just like old times.”
As we reach my car, parked not too far from the house, Cade opens the door for me. It’s a gesture that feels oddly familiar yet tinged with the weight of unspoken history.
“Thanks,” I say, settling into the driver’s seat.
With a final nod, Cade steps back, and I start the engine. As I drive away, the conversation lingers in my mind. Tomorrow awaits, I can’t shake the anticipation of a day that holds the promise of both nostalgia and a fresh chapter—a day where we’ll play our roles, but the echoes of the past will be there, dancing beneath the surface.
***
The next day arrives, bringing with it the wedding rehearsal. Dressed in a simple, yet elegant dress, I find myself standing alongside Cade as Rose explains the details of the ceremony. The air is charged with the anticipation of the upcoming celebration.
“Okay, let’s run through the processional,” Rose announces, a clipboard in hand. “Cade, you’ll be walking with Aria. The rest of you, pay attention to your cues.”
As the first notes of the music fill the air, Cade and I start our walk up the makeshift aisle. The familiarity of his presence is both comforting and disconcerting. I focus on the path ahead, reminding myself that this is just a rehearsal—a formality in the grand scheme of the wedding.
Cade’s hand lightly rests on my arm, guiding me with a gentleness that brings back a flood of memories. His touch, once familiar and comforting, now stirs conflicting emotions within me. I keep my gaze fixed ahead, determined not to let the past influence the present.
“Slow and steady, Cade,” Rose instructs, and we adjust our pace accordingly. The coordination feels effortless, as if our steps are synchronized by an unspoken understanding. The aisle stretches before us, leading to an imaginary altar where Joe and Rose’s future awaits.
As we reach the end of the aisle, I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The rehearsal continues, with Rose guiding everyone through the intricacies of the ceremony. Yet, despite the practical nature of the event, a subtle tension lingers between Cade and me.
During a break in the rehearsal, Cade and I find ourselves momentarily alone. The others engage in light banter, leaving us in a cocoon of silence. The weight of unspoken words hangs between us.
“Cade,” I begin, breaking the silence, “we need to make sure we’re on the same page for the wedding. We can’t afford any missteps.”
He nods, his gaze meeting mine. “Agreed. We can handle this like adults.”
The determination in his voice is evident, and for a moment, I’m reassured that we can navigate the wedding without reopening old wounds. As the rehearsal progresses, we fall into a rhythm of cooperation, ensuring that each step and gesture aligns seamlessly with Rose’s vision.
The ceremony unfolds in a choreographed dance of emotions and promises. Joe and Rose exchange vows, their love radiating through the gathered crowd. As the applause echoes around us, I catch Cade’s eye, a shared acknowledgment of a job well done.
In the quiet moments that follow, as the significance of the upcoming wedding settles over us, I can’t help but wonder if the past truly stays buried. The touch of Cade’s hands during the rehearsal lingers in my mind, leaving me to confront emotions I thought were long gone.
That night, I find myself lost in thoughts, wrestling with the echoes of the past that refuse to fade away completely. The warmth of Cade’s touch, the shared laughter, and the unspoken promise we made as kids resurface in the depths of my memories.
As I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, I acknowledge the complexity of emotions that the reunion with Cade has unearthed. The reassurances I offered my friends and myself feel like fragile defenses against a tide of nostalgia and what-ifs.
Chapter four
CADE
After the wedding rehearsal, the echoes of shared memories linger in the air as I navigate the familiar streets of Sweet Haven. The town seems to embrace me with open arms, yet my mind is preoccupied with the complexities that lie beneath the surface. The promises made during the rehearsal—to act professionally, to prioritize Joe and Rose—echo in my thoughts.
Despite the warmth of my family and the joy of the upcoming celebration, an invisible weight accompanies me as I decide to head to Aria’s bakery. The enticing aroma of freshly baked pastries welcomes me as I step inside, and the quaint charm of the place feels like a comforting embrace.
