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I walked to her and gave her a gentle hug, making sure not to squash anything, smudge any makeup, or mess up her hair.
“Thank you for being here for this,” she said, pulling herself together. The usually strong Juno reappeared and even managed to get her usual smile back. “Let’s go do this wedding.”
As soon as she looked ready, I opened the door for her and lifted the end of her dress train so it wouldn’t catch on anything. We made our way downstairs to the main hall, and thephotographer was already waiting for us, taking photos, whether Juno was ready or not. She handled it far better than I would have, letting him suggest poses and placements of her dress.
Thankfully, I could step aside a moment and join the other women in the wings, but not before Juno gave my hand a quick squeeze and thanked me again.
I was also a little nervous about some aspects, knowing I would be walking down an aisle in front of people and then back up it. But I wouldn’t be alone either time, Alma by my side on the way there and one of the groomsmen on the way back.
Other than that, my duties were mostly done. I’d arranged the bridal party before the wedding, but that had been easy enough. Juno hadn’t wanted much of a fuss. As Juno made her way toward the wedding area and saw the people waiting for us, she smiled again. And then she saw Jack looking back over his shoulder at her.
The look that passed between the two of them would have been enough to melt even the most frozen heart. These were two people very much in love with each other.
It was only as I was most of the way down the aisle and looked down the row of groomsmen that I spotted Lukas. My heart skipped a beat. He was staring at me, his eyes shining, and he flicked me a wink as soon as our eyes met. Had he been staring at me the entire time?
After being so cautious earlier and seeming not to want anyone to notice us together, it was an obvious sign of attention toward me. I found myself smiling back, however, appreciating the attention of someone like him.
The wedding was swift but sweet, exactly the way Juno had wanted it, and flawless. No one was rude or awkward, and soon, we were getting ready to walk back up the aisle and begin the party part of the wedding. I got up again, not sure exactly whatwas supposed to happen now, but Alma seemed sure of herself and walked toward Kai.
I hung back a little with the other bridesmaids and let Juno and Jack take the lead. Before I could figure out where I was supposed to stand, Lukas was in front of me and offering me his arm.
“You look even more stunning than I thought possible,” he said. “Would you do me the honor of walking to the house with you?”
Without hesitation, I took his arm and let him pull me in closer. I couldn’t speak, my heart hammering in my chest and my body flushing with heat. Was this what instant attraction to a person felt like? The way he spoke and the look in his eyes when he focused on me made my insides dissolve into goo.
I had to mimic Juno’s earlier display and focus on breathing, keeping the flow of air in and out of my lungs steady and my feet moving one at a time.
“Nervous?” Lukas asked, leaning in and keeping his voice low so no one else would hear him.
“A little,” I replied, not admitting that he was the reason, not the people watching us.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe with me.” His grip tightened just a little on my arm, pinning it to his side as he had done the last time he’d escorted me. There was something so natural about it, and it truly did feel safe, his protective side coming out in the way he matched his step with mine but also shifted a fraction ahead.
Despite my anxiety being caused by him, it melted away, allowing me to simply enjoy being beside him and feeling good about being part of the celebration.
Lukas took his duty to the extreme and escorted me all the way to my seat at the table. Once again, I had expected us to be in a more traditional seating arrangement, but we weren’t.There was no top table, no separation of people, but we were still sitting where we were told.
I had Lukas on one side of me and Kai on the other. It was both wonderful and not-so-wonderful at the same time. I felt Lukas’ closeness again and wondered if he would actually be in his seat much, but as soon as I was seated, he seemed almost eager to be beside me.
“I don’t know about you, but I am famished. It’s been a long time since we had breakfast, and I’ve been wondering if I’d make it this far.” He smiled at me, having said the words loud enough that it was obvious that he was talking to me like we were good friends.
“If I thought there was room in this dress, I’d be more enthusiastic.” I looked down at the blue material covering me and how well it fitted. It was tight in all the right places from one point of view, but it didn’t leave much room for food.
“The downside of looking beautiful. I would feel bad for you, but I think the price is worth it. You really do look gorgeous. The blue brings out the color in your eyes.” His gaze never left mine, and I felt my cheeks growing hotter…as well as another part of me. If Lukas had been hiding his intentions before, he wasn’t now.
Our waitstaff saved me from embarrassment as they brought drinks around. I accepted the wine but also made sure I had water.
The meal passed in a haze of conversation, drinking, laughter, and everything I could have wanted it to be. Lukas was attentive to me, making sure I always had everything I needed. It was like he had decided to take chaperoning me very seriously—and not just for the wedding, but the whole day.
By the time the speeches started, I was buzzed from the wine, as full as my clothing allowed, and happier than I had been in a long time. Not only was Lukas funny and smart, but Alma andKai were great company. Kai had told us several amusing stories about Jack and their days in a band together.
This day couldn’t get any better.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Lukas
I breathed a sigh of relief but also felt a strange pang when it was time to leave our tables and talk to other people. Already, people wanted to draw me away from Kit, and I knew I would give much more enthusiastic signals to Kit than I truly felt if I stayed by her side all evening.
