Page 124 of His Wicked Revenge

Over the three of them, I see Veronica wiping away her tears with a napkin. He seems to have also twisted her nonexistent heart.

To break the sad tension, the DJ plays an upbeat song. I take this as my cue to get that drink I didn’t think I would be having. With my drink, I walk back toward the bridal party table. I sip the whiskey and watch everyone dance to the Cha Cha Slide. That should be the theme song of weddings, I swear.

From the corner of my eye, I see Veronica standing and making her way over to me. I finish the rest of my drink and set the empty glass on the table as she approaches.

“Your speech was beautiful.” She smiles.

“Not as beautiful as Carter’s.” The kid just ripped all our hearts out and is now having the time of his life on the dance floor.

“Yeah, that was something.” She laughs lightly. The ending notes of the music sound from the speaker and turn into a slower song. Couples flock to the dance floor, holding each other close. “Do you want to dance?”

I slide my eyes over to Veronica. “You want to dance?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’ve never slow danced with someone before.” She holds her hand out for me, wiggling her fingers. “Humor me.”

I don’t hesitate when I take her hand in mine. Leading us out on the floor, I find an empty spot and place one hand on her waist while the other holds her hand. She rests hers on my shoulder, and we sway like all the other couples.

“I never told you how gorgeous you look tonight.” The compliment isn’t a lie. She looks fantastic in the deep red dress, and her hair is slightly curled. The front pieces are pinned back, drawing your attention to her green eyes.

“You look very handsome,” she returns the compliment with a grin.

“I got us a room tonight.” Chloe had blocked out many rooms for guests at the reception hall since it was at a hotel. I booked one before the epiphany that I’m an idiot and Veronica will never change.

“Oh, yeah?” she asks.

I bring her hand to my mouth, pressing my lips to her knuckles. “I wasn’t sure how much we would be drinking tonight. Thought it would be safe to stay here instead of driving home.”

“Smart. Will I get rewarded tonight? For behaving?”

My breathing quickens as I look down at her. “The wedding isn’t over yet. You still have time to prove you can keep a promise.”

“Mmm.” She hums, looking away from me to the people in the crowd. “I’ll be on my best⁠—”

Her body stiffens, becoming like a statue in my hands. My brows dip as I search her face for a clue as to what just happened. Her eyes stare off, and I follow her line of vision until I see what she sees.

Her sister is here… at my sister’s wedding… chatting it up with another guest, and Veronica is somehow not completely freaking out.

“What the hell is she doing here?” I ask, even though Veronica most likely won’t know the answer.

“This is why she was shopping for dresses,” she whispers to herself, but I still hear her words.

“What are you talking about?”

“I was shopping for a dress for our date.” She blinks out of her trance and stares up at me. “Stephanie was there.”

You’ve got to be kidding me!

Another thing she kept from you, Leo. How many other things has she not told you?

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to, but with the wedding⁠—”

“Veronica!” I curse through my teeth. “Remember when I told you we needed to communicate for this to work? This is one of those things you needed to tell me!”

“I know!” She drops her hands from mine and steps back. “I swear I was going to tell you.”

“Did she see you? At the shop?” Her eyes fall to the floor, and she bites her lip with a nod. “Jesus Christ.”