Page 50 of Last First Kiss

The doors fly open.

“I’m so sorry I’m late!”

A woman runs inside. Her heels click on the stone. She has long, thick chestnut hair, one of those heart-shaped faces people pay for, and eyes so emerald Jordan can’t believe they’re not contacts. She stops at Jamie’s side. Her hand grips his bicep for balance before she drops air kisses on Amy’s and Sam’s cheeks.

Breathless, she says, “Work ran late.” Her gaze scans around. “Wow, is this it? Are you two getting hitchedhere?”

Sam nods. Amy’s shoulders bounce excitedly.

“It’s gorgeous,” the woman says.

Jordan inspects her. He tries to figure out who she is. She has sun-kissed skin but looks nothing like Sam or Amy. He rules out a relative. Maybe a classmate from Brighton? Or Emory? Or possibly—

Her hand slides into Jamie’s. Slim fingers tangle around his long ones.

A ringing starts in Jordan’s ears. That invisible hand from earlier latches onto his stomach again. It squeezes relentlessly.

“Jordan?”

It’s Sam. Jordan’s head snaps in his direction. He pushes a smile on his lips.

“Hmm?”

“Should we talk to Lilly? It’s getting late.”

“We, um…allof us?”

He doesn’t mean to let his eyes shift back to Jamie. To the woman whose manicured hand rests on Jamie’s chest. Like this is something she’s done before.

Something she doesoften.

“Sorry, we’re so rude,” Amy says. “You two don’t know each other.”

“We don’t,” Jordan confirms in a rough voice.

“Jordan Carter is our wedding planner. The one Jamie suggested. And this is Sloane Smith.”

Jordan waits for Amy to say more. She doesn’t.

Instead, it’s Jamie who says, “She’s an old family friend.”

“Another,” Jordan chokes, then clears his throat. “Another family friend?”

“Oh, Jamesy,” Sloane says, half giggling. “Is that all?”

Jamie doesn’t answer, sucks his cheeks in.

Sloane’s sharp green eyes find Jordan. She smiles warmly. “I’ve known him since we were in diapers. Andrecently, things took a little change.”

The noise in Jordan’s ears grows louder. But he still hears Sloane say, “We’ve been on a few dates.”

-6-?Pick Out the Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Of fucking course Jamie’s seeing someone.

Why wouldn’t he be? This is Jamie’s thing. He dates freely. Without remorse or explanation. He starts and ends relationships quicker than Jordan changes his boxers.

It’s never been an issue before. Jamie deserves happiness. To be in love.