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“Sweet can go a long way.”
Again, I smiled, but less enthusiastically this time. I hadn’t wanted to be obvious or to draw too much attention to any kindof interest. Not only did I not like answering questions about things like this, but I was also very much aware that women came after me for two main reasons. Money and fame.
The more low-key any relationship was, and the more they provided for themselves, the better. Of course, so far Kit had seemed perfectly happy to talk to me when fewer people were watching. After all, she had agreed to breakfast alone.
When Jack appeared, shaved and ready to get on with the next part of his preparations, I was grateful for the interruption. There was something about Kai and how transparent he could make me feel. It was hard not to spill my guts to him and try to get his opinion. But this time, I couldn’t. And there wasn’t really anything to ask him about.
Kit was a friend and a very kind person, but she was no more than that.
At least, not yet, my mind pointed out. I sighed and tried to ignore the thought again. It couldn’t be ever. It really couldn’t.
Despite my wanting to focus on helping Jack, my duties as a groomsman, and everything else the wedding would entail that day, Kit was the maid of honor, and her name kept coming up. Every time I heard it, my head turned, and I soon had to talk about her again.
“There’s a brief moment that you all need to pair up with a bridesmaid or Kit,” Jack said. “Kai, I think you would normally be with the maid of honor, but Juno already mentioned this to her, and she insisted that Alma walk with you since she’s a bridesmaid as well.”
I nodded, knowing it made sense and thinking it was sweet of them. Even Kai seemed to appreciate it. There was nothing worse than being forced to make nice with someone at a wedding or possibly upset your partner over your hosts. It was so strange how traditions from a world where everyone in the bridal partywas traditionally single were still used, when today they often weren’t.
“Would the rest of you feel comfortable walking down with the other bridesmaids?” Jack asked. He looked at me more specifically, but I nodded without thinking. In this case, I did have the luxury of being single.
It was only as Jack told everyone else who they would be walking with that I realized Kit was the only one left. I was going to be drawing attention to us talking again.
Despite that, I smiled as he told me and nodded. Perhaps it would make it less obvious. If people saw we had been thrown together for some parts of the wedding, maybe they would see any contact outside of that as us discussing our duties.
As soon as I thought it, I knew it wouldn’t be the case. It was only going to stir up conversation and gossip. We were both single. People would want to see us together. It would be romantic. And nothing made people feel romantic like a wedding.
I focused on getting ready with the others and supporting Jack. I’d agreed to it now and would have to endure it the best I could. In three days, this would all be done, and I could go back to my world of business, my friends, and forget about her if I wanted.
Assuming I could forget about her. I let out a small sigh, wondering if I would find it that easy. Some people just got under the skin, and she was clearly under mine.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Kai said as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fixing my tie. He came to stand beside me to do the same. “Alma normally does this for me. I hate these things. You look like you loathe yours as much.”
“No, not the tie. I’ve mostly got used to them. I’m expected to wear them a lot.”
“So, something else on your mind, then. And with a face like that, if it’s not frustration at what’s in front of you, it’s a relationship of some kind. A girl or a family member.”
I chuckled at the perceptiveness of his comment. Jack said that Kai saw things others didn’t.
“People see me with anyone and start expecting things. I don’t like it.”
“Kit?” he asked.
A single glance from me confirmed that he’d guessed correctly and made him smile. He focused on his tie again since mine was done now.
“She’s sweet, and Juno speaks highly of her. You could do worse. But there’s no need to rush, either. As for everyone else, let them talk. Their opinions, one way or another, including mine, shouldn’t impact your decisions of the heart. Sometimes, you have to do things others are surprised by to get what you want. Not everyone sees the reward in a risk, and not everyone knows what it might cost you to take a risk. Only you truly know if it’s worth it to you.”
Almost immediately, I relaxed. He was right. I needed to stop worrying about what anyone else thought.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kit
It took the better part of two hours, but finally, Juno was ready for her big day. I was somehow also ready in my bridesmaid’s dress. We had three other bridesmaids, including Alma, and everyone was equally stunning.
Juno was nervous, however. This wasn’t her first wedding, and the first hadn’t been the dream she hoped it would be.
“You okay?” I asked her as the others went to wait in the main part of the house. She took several breaths, concentrating on calming herself down.
“I will be. I don’t have the awkward family at this one, at least.” She gave me a wan smile and looked around the room. “And this is one hell of an amazing venue.”
