Page 5 of The Other Plan

“No problem, Jenna. I’m happy to help.”

I turned around to survey things one more time before heading in to change my outfit. It was time to trade in my jersey skirt and tank top for the cocktail gown I’d been waiting to wear for tonight.

Several Bronson family members had already arrived and started gathering at the cocktail tables speckled throughout the lawn. Valentina stood next to Aunt Tilly and her mother, and she looked the perfect part of the blushing bride-to-be, radiant in her white designer cocktail dress with her blonde hair swept into a beautiful, classic updo. There was no doubt that she’d inherited her mother and grandmother’s fashion sense and beauty.

Soon the non-family guests would drift in, and this lawn and the adjoining beach would be filled with laughter and elegantly attired guests. As my gaze swept across the grounds searching for any imperfections or issues before I went inside to change, it slid to a stop when my eyes clapped onto the back of a man talking to the groom.

An impressive looking man.

A very impressive looking man.

His charcoal grey suit accentuated his wide shoulders and tapered down to his trim waist. I tipped my head, trying to get a look at the ass I was certain would be remarkable even though the suit coat hid the bulk of it.

“See something you like?” Jo teased, and I whipped my head away.

When I opened my mouth to argue, the knowing look in her eyes made me snap it shut.

Busted.

Instead of defending myself, I shrugged and started laughing. “Can you blame me? That dude looks hot.”

“He’s got a good back view. How’s the front?”

We stood side by side, watching the man talk, both waiting to see if the front matched the promising back.

“Ten bucks says he’s got a face like your bulldog,” Jo taunted.

I swept my eyes up and down his body and nodded. “I’ll take that bet. No way he’s not a total hottie.”

With a single shake, we both crossed our arms and stood waiting.

“Do you know who he is?” Jo asked, and I shook my head.

“Nope. I haven’t met anyone from the groom’s side. Valentina and Eric, the bride and groom, live in New York City, so that’s where most of the wedding party is coming in from. They just flew in today.”

When he turned his head to greet Linus as he approached, I saw his profile, and it looked nothing like my dog, Arnold. As I took in the strong jawline and straight nose, I furrowed my brow and narrowed my eyes. Even though he was a decent distance away, he looked familiar.

Very familiar.

Jo sighed. “Damn it. Profile’s good. Not looking like he’s going to be a bulldog. I’m probably gonna owe you ten bucks, but we’ll wait until we see the full front before I admit defeat. Maybe he’s missing all his teeth. Or his eyes are crossed. There’s still hope.” She paused, then craned her neck to get a better look at my frozen expression. “Why does your face look like that?”

“It can’t be,” I whispered, the words sticking in my throat as I choked them out.

“Can’t be what?” Jo looked over at him then back at me.

My heart drummed inside my chest as I squinted harder to get a better look.

This man’s hair was darker and shorter, not brushing his chin in sun-bleached messy beach waves like the man I remembered. The jawline was the same, but even more defined than the one haunting my memories... the one I’d held in my hands while we kissed. But the similarities between the boy I had adored and the man standing across the lawn were uncanny.

Too uncanny.

Jo bumped me with her elbow. “Jenna? What the hell is wrong with you?”

The man’s lips pulled up, and my breath hitched when the familiar dimples creased into his cheeks... and the same smile that had turned my whole world upside down.

And left it that way.

“No,” I breathed. “It can’t be...”