Page 110 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

I walked, keeping it slow and steady. Cash was waiting at the end, hands clasped in front of him, watching me intently.

It was slightly unnerving.

“Everyone clear on timing?” the coordinator asked brightly.

A chorus of affirmatives. Melody was beaming, practically vibrating with excitement as Austin took his position. We ran through the ceremony beats. Processional, readings, vows, pronouncement, recessional.

I kept my eyes forward. On Melody’s joy. On Austin’s nervous smile. On anything except the man standing six inches behind Austin.

“Perfect!” The coordinator clapped her hands. “That’s a wrap for rehearsal. Dinner is set up on the patio whenever you’re ready.”

Everyone started moving back toward the house. I hung back, taking a moment to look at the ceremony setup in the fading light. Tomorrow this would be filled with people. Tomorrow Melody would walk down this aisle in her dress and Austin would probably cry. I’d give my speech and everything would be beautiful.

Tomorrow I’d have to pretend I was fine. That it was totally fine to hang out with the guy that broke my heart.

“You okay?”

I turned. Cash was still there, hands in his pockets, looking at me with something that might have been concern.

“Fine,” I said. “Just taking it in. It’s beautiful.”

“It is.”

We stood there in awkward silence.

“We should head back,” I said finally.

“Yeah.”

We walked up to the house together. Not talking. Not touching. Just two people who had a moment and were now strangers navigating a very awkward situation.

The patio had been transformed into something out of a magazine spread. Long tables draped in white linen, candles everywhere, platters of food that smelled incredible. The family was already gathering.

I found my seat next to Melody. Cash was at the other end of the table, between Austin and Finn. Safe distance. Manageable. I could do this.

Dinner started. Conversation flowed. I laughed at Melody’s stories, made small talk with the other bridesmaids, tried to enjoy the food even though my stomach was in knots. Then I noticed them.

Cash and Armand. Heads close together at the far end of the table, speaking in tones too low to hear. Armand’s expression was tight. Cash’s was unreadable. But I did know Cash well enough to know something was off. He always looked like he had a stick up his ass, but now it was severe.

I could tell something was wrong and my first thought was I wanted to go to him. I wanted to shove his father away from him.

Cash stood abruptly and walked away. Just left. Didn’t excuse himself, didn’t look at anyone, just got up and disappeared into the house.

I told myself it wasn’t my business. Told myself whatever was happening between Cash and his father was family drama I had no right to insert myself into. Told myself to stay in my seat and finish my dinner and be the good maid of honor. Not my monkeys, not my circus.

I sipped my wine and pretended to listen to something one of the Bancroft wives was saying. I really tried. I lasted about three minutes.

“I’ll be right back,” I told Melody.

She gave me a knowing look but didn’t say anything. I went inside. The house was quiet. Everyone was outside enjoying the amazing dinner. I checked the kitchen—empty. The living room—empty. Started to head upstairs when I heard the front door click closed.

Outside. He’d gone outside.

I found him sitting on the front steps, elbows on his knees, staring at the driveway like he was looking for the quickest escape. With all the cars, I understood his conundrum.

I almost turned around and went back to the party. I needed to leave him alone with whatever he was working through. But I couldn’t.

I sat down beside him. He didn’t look surprised. Didn’t look at me at all, actually. Just kept staring straight ahead.