Page 132 of Rush

My mom had cancer.

I was there for every chemo session, every hospital visit. I refused to leave her side. Eventually, they let her come home.

But it wasn’t the same. Nothing was.

That night, after the diagnosis, I ran out of the hospital and locked myself in the car. My chest tightened, and I couldn’t breathe. Panic wrapped around me like a vice. I felt so selfish for even feeling like this. Something in me hardened.

Everything I’d wanted—love, music, all those dreams I’d scribbled in my journal—they didn’t matter anymore.

All I wanted was for her to live. I needed her to live.

Tearswell in my eyes as I sip my champagne. It’s crisp and cool, helping me swallow back the memories of my mother and Jack.

As the song comes to an end, Andrew dips Philippa and kisses her.

The strings carry on, easing into a rendition of“Halo”by Beyonce.

“Could the bridal party please join the happy couple in opening the dance floor,” the master of ceremonies announces.

James is by my side in an instant. “Mini Montgomery, will you do me the honor?” he asks, extending his hand.

Riley scrunches her nose and leans in. “Ew.Mini Montgomery,” she whispers. We giggle.

Before I can answer, Broderick looms behind James, giving him a playful pat on the back.

“Buddy, best man gets dibs on the maid of honor. Go find Avery.”

James groans, “Brody, you’ve been cutting my grass all weekend. What gives?”

Broderick only shrugs. “I don’t make the rules,” he says, draping a muscular arm over James’ shoulders in a squeeze. He’s easily a foot taller and broader, dwarfing James completely. The way James shifts under him makes it obvious—Broderick intimidates him.

James rolls his eyes and shrugs him off before heading toward Avery, who waits at the edge of the dance floor.

Broderick grins—victory and charm all over his face—then extends a hand to me. “Will you do me the honor, your majesty?”

Riley jabs me in the side, and I yelp.

“She accepts your proposal,” she declares, yanking my arm toward him.

I shake her off and slap her playfully. “Good sir, I will do you this kindness,” I reply in a terrible British accent, placing my hand in his.

Jack chuckles shaking his head and Riley whoops behind us. I catch James shooting daggers our way as Broderick leads me onto the dance floor. His hand rests at the small of my back, warm and steady, pulling me close as he takes the lead.

Everything else blurs at the edges as I look up into his sparkling green eyes.

“You seem pretty pleased with yourself,” I murmur.

Broderick scoffs, “I wasn’t going to let him have a dance with you looking like this.”

“Like what?”

“Good enough to eat.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. Desire curls low in my belly, catching me off guard.

“Sir, behave yourself. I won’t hesitate to report you to HR,” I tease, shivering slightly as his fingers press more firmly into my back.

“I’m sure we can come to a mutual understanding,” he says, pulling me in just a little closer.