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A smile that came automatically and naturally.
A smile that came from deep inside.
A smile he returned and that even though it might be for show truly made her feel better.
Despite his having put on a good show that morning for anyone who might be looking their way, she couldn’t help but wonder if that was all he’d been doing.
What if, unlike her, he hadn’t started to have real feelings? Real desires?
Callie joined her in the wedding lineup, then the music changed to what every moment of the day had been building up to. Every wedding guest stood, turned to look toward where the bride would soon appear.
And then Reva was there.
McKenzie’s heart filled with pride at her beautiful cousin’s obvious love and happiness as she made her way down the aisle to her waiting groom.
The wedding ceremony went perfectly, with the groom soon kissing his bride.
McKenzie was paired with a groomsman, and arms linked, they walked back down the aisle with the photographer snapping away as they did.
They posed for photos that included the bride and groom, then were soon dismissed while the photographer took shots of just the bride and groom.
Once inside the reception hall, McKenzie immediately sought Ryder.
“Looking for someone?”
“Oh!” She spun at his voice, almost losing balance as she stared into his honey eyes.
“Sorry.” He grabbed her elbow, steadying her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Were you waiting on me?”
“Something like that.”
He must have been, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so close to the door because she’d barely made it inside the reception hall.
Just looking at him filled her with such jitters, with such a need to talk to him, away from the crowd.
“I—I don’t want to stay here, Ryder.”
His brow lifted. “You want to go back to Seattle?”
“Yes, but that’s not what I mean.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door she’d just come through. “I need some fresh air.”
“Even though you just came from outdoors?”
“Work with me here,” she ordered as she took off in the opposite direction of where the bride and groom were still snapping shots.
She walked until she came to a gazebo that was laced with deep red knock-out roses. Inside the gazebo was a bench and just beyond it was a small gurgling creek.
“Wow,” she breathed. “Beautiful.”
“Yes.”
McKenzie turned toward him. He’d been looking at her and not the gorgeous scenery.
“I’m sorry about last night, Ryder. I wanted to tell you this morning, but I overslept and then we were never alone and... I should have told you about Clay.”
“You could have told me.”
