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44
something borrowed, something blue
JESSA
I stood at the back of the murmuring pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen outside the chapel, waiting for our turn in the procession.
It had turned into the absolute best day.
Henry smiled at me from my side, patting my hand in the crook of his arm. A glance over my shoulder bought me a smile from Remy. He looked so absolutely magnificent in his tuxedo, his handsome jaw freshly shaven and hair neatly combed. The fit was immaculate, highlighting the breadth of his shoulders and the taper of his waist, not to mention that ridiculous arse of his.
Resplendent suit.
I couldn’t wait to take it off of him.
Cass’s hand was hooked in his elbow. She looked terrified—white as a sheet, eyes wide, lips thin—but that seemed to be her default of late. I hoped once a ring was on her finger in a few minutes, she’d feel much better and we could celebrate properly.
There was so much to celebrate.
I was going to stay for a while. Remy and I would have a chance at something here together. Cass knew, and Remy and I both still had a pulse. Henry had told me the truth, effectively ending any lingering expectations.
And today, our best friends were getting married.
The deacon nodded to us, and Henry and I began the walk to the pulpit. I caught sight of my mother, the only one in the chapel wearing a hat, and certainly the only one who’d wear a hat with a feather out the top of it. A stern, disappointed look hardened her eyes when our gazes met, though she wore the appropriate smile. The reminder that I had yet to tell her my plans wobbled my stomach, but I was an adult. It would all work out, I was sure of it.
But then I noticed Wilder.
My heart jolted when he turned to look past us to Cass, his face carefully schooled. But there was a flicker of grief behind his eyes that sent the hairs on my arms on end. I longed to know what he was thinking and prayed it wasn’t about doing anything stupid.
Really, the next twenty minutes couldn’t come fast enough.
Henry deposited me in my spot and kissed my cheek before taking his place, and then the music changed.
Remy and Cass stepped into the aisle as the whole church turned in their pews. They wore wistful smiles, their eyes shining, some of them crying, some of them with their fingertips to their lips.
Cass looked spectacular, and she’d found a smile, even if she was clutching Remy’s arm like she was about to drown. I frowned when I saw she was crying a little.
And it wasn’t an I’m-so-happy-I’m-marrying-the-love-of-my-life kind of cry.
Davis stepped forward to receive her, shaking Remy’s hand. Cass hugged her cousin and pressed a kiss to his cheek before taking Davis’s hand and stepping up to the preacher.
The preacher began to speak of love and marriage as Remy took his place next to me and settled in, smoothing his coat front and smiling at me so brilliantly, I forgot for a moment that I was worried about Cass. I couldn’t discern from the back of her how she was feeling, but Davis’s concerned expression didn’t give me any confidence. The wait was eternal.
“Cassidy Winfield and Davis McGrath, do you stand here together today to give yourselves to each other in marriage?”
“I do,” they said.
The preacher looked out over the crowd with an amused smile. “If anyone knows a reason these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
I held my breath. Cass looked back at the church pews, and so did I, finding Wilder immediately.
“I object.”
Wilder’s lips hadn’t moved.
The sound had come from one of the groomsmen.
From Henry.
