With the guests seated, the song changed, and we stood to look down the end of the aisle. While everyone else was turned to admire Alexis, I was more interested in Preston’s reaction. The man was smitten, and even though they’d already had a “first look,” a private moment just the two of them, he couldn’t stop staring at his bride. There were tears in his eyes, and I’d never seen a man look happier or more excited to become a husband and a father.
There was a pang in my chest, and I rubbed the spot. I told myself it was just happiness, but I knew it was tinged with longing. Longing to have a man look at me the way Preston looked at Alexis, the way he treated her with such devotion. Longing to believe that something like that could exist, was real.
I’d never realized that was something I wanted before. Or perhaps I’d never admitted it to myself. I’d grown up believing in family, home, happily ever afters. But somewhere along the way, I’d lost that youthful innocence. I’d become jaded, cynical, distrustful, especially when it came to men.
I felt Hunter’s eyes on me, watching me, and I shifted on my feet. I couldn’t believe he was here. At their wedding. Which meant…he was Preston’s best friend. Had he known all along that Alexis was mine? And if so, why had he never said anything?
When the ceremony was over, I filed out with the rest of the guests. I was surprised when Harper approached Hunter, leaning in and laughing at something he said. I bit the inside of my cheek, realizing Hunter must be the blond Harper was interested in. And if so, she should go for it. It wasn’t like I had any claim on him.
But you want to,a little voice whispered.
Shut up.
I straightened and headed for the bar, in desperate need of a drink. Why had I made the stupid rule about not sleeping with clients?
For the past few weeks since we’d agreed to be friends—not friends with benefits, but just friends—I’d tried to keep my interaction with Hunter to a minimum. But it was futile, and I’d long since given up my attempts to limit our communication to email because he continued to show up. He continued to try to get to know me. He was tempting, too tempting, but the house was too big a deal to fuck up.
I was the one who’d insisted our relationship remain professional. But watching him laugh and flirt with another woman made me wish that weren’t the case.
After everyone made their way to the tables, dinner was served. The food looked delicious, but every bite turned to sawdust in my mouth. What was it about Hunter that made him so appealing? And why hadn’t I slept with him when I’d still had the chance? There’d been two opportunities before he’d become my client, and I’d wasted both of them. Not wasted—but if I could go back and do things differently, I would.
Speak of the devil. The man himself rose from his seat, tapping a fork against his champagne flute to get everyone’s attention.
It wasn’t necessary. My attention was already focused on him.
“Preston may have opted out of having a best man, but we all know who he would have chosen.” With his hand still wrapped around the microphone, Hunter pointed to himself, and everyone laughed. I joined in, shaking my head as I did so.
“You know, when Preston started working as a manny, I gave him so much shit.”
Candlelight flickered off Hunter’s face, casting shadows that only highlighted his sheer perfection. He was tall, confident, proud. And he had everyone’s rapt attention.
“When did you stop giving me shit for it?” Preston asked, drawing another round of laughter.
Hunter waved a hand through the air. “But I have to say, after watching Sophia for a day—love you, girl—I do not know how he did it. And—” he turned to Preston “—I have a newfound respect for you.”
I nodded knowingly. I loved Sophia dearly, but she had more energy in her pinkie than I did in my whole body. Even so, I loved being her “auntie.” I loved back-to-school shopping and getting manicures and all things girlie.
My sister lived across the country, and I rarely saw her or her kids. Part of that was due to the physical distance. But I knew that even if we’d lived in the same city, I’d rarely see her. It hadn’t always been that way, but our relationship had been strained since Mom’s death.
“You are an incredible man,” Hunter continued, and I could tell how affected he was. How happy he was for his friend, just as I was for Alexis. “I’ve watched you overcome so many obstacles.”
If I wasn’t mistaken, he sounded a little choked up, but he forced a bright smile for the audience. Perhaps there was more to the flirtatious playboy than I’d realized. I was so intent on watching him that I didn’t hear much else. When everyone lifted their glasses, I lagged behind.
“To Alexis and Preston—health, wealth, and happiness,” Hunter said, and I couldn’t agree more.
“Health, wealth, and happiness,” I repeated along with everyone else.
As I drank to the future of my friends, I couldn’t help but consider my own life. I was healthy, confident. I had more money than I’d ever expected, considering my modest upbringing. I had a successful business, good friends, and I often had good sex. I was content with my life.
But could I honestly say I was happy?
