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Deenie leaned in to whisper in Caitie’s ear. “That’s beautiful. One of my favorite songs.”
“Mine too,” Caitie said, smiling.
She took a deep breath and scanned the room. How many times had she turned her head to look at Breck that night? Too many for comfort. She was sure somebody would notice sooner or later.
And yet she couldn’t help it. She was like a masochist, desperate to see if her worst fears were happening. If Rachel was leaning into him and whispering, the way she had a few times during the meal. Or if Breck was replying, a smile catching his lips.
Caitie’s chest felt tight every time she saw it. She knew it meant nothing, but she hated it anyway. Hated the way it made her feel.
But this time when she looked, there was a frown on his lips. He was looking down at the table, as though he was concentrating on something. She stared for a moment too long, aching for him to glance up and see her.
But instead, his frown deepened.
She grabbed her phone and quickly tapped out a message to him, making sure her mom couldn’t see the screen.
Are you okay?
She watched as he reacted to the buzz of his phone. But he didn’t take it out of his pocket.
“The cake is amazing,” Deenie said when the staff had handed their slices out. She slid a forkful between her lips. “You’re so clever, sweetheart. Of course it had to be a firefighter cake. It’s so Lucas.”
Caitie tried to smile. “Thank you.” She looked down at her own slice. The sponge was red velvet – Lucas’s favorite. Any other time she’d be devouring it.
The band segued into Let it Snow, the lyrical arrangement echoing through the room. Rachel was talking to Breck again, forcing his eyes up from the table where Caitie hadn’t been able to. He nodded, but didn’t smile.
“Should Daddy do his speech now?” Deenie asked when the music ended. “Don’t worry, he’s keeping it short. Just a few words to welcome Ember and her family.”
Caitie nodded. “That would be a great idea.”
As hosts for the rehearsal dinner, her parents stood together and welcomed the guests. They turned to Ember and told her how happy they were to have her in the family, and then to Ember’s mom and sister, saying they weren’t losing a daughter, but gaining a whole new clan.
“So let us raise our glass to the Kennedy family. Thank you for raising a beautiful daughter, and for letting her be part of our lives,” Wallace said, holding his glass up. The guests all stood and repeated his toast, taking a sip of their champagne to close the deal.
Lucas leaned in to kiss his soon-to-be-wife, and walked over to where his father was standing. He whispered something to Wallace and shook his hand, taking the microphone from him.
“This is going to be quick,” Lucas said, smiling out at the guests. “Mostly because I plan to spend tomorrow telling you exactly how lucky I am to have a wife like Ember.”
That was greeted with a loud cheer from his friends.
“But tonight I want to say thank you to one person. She’s responsible for everything you see here in this hotel. The venue, the food, the band, the décor. She arranged everything perfectly.” Lucas smiled at Caitie, his eyes soft. “Growing up, I don’t think I was always her favorite person. I know I drove her crazy half the time, and ignored her the other half. It’s a big brother thing, I guess. But now she’s all grown up and I couldn’t be prouder of her. Along with Ember and my mom, she’s my favorite woman in the world. She’s beautiful, she’s classy, and she’s so talented it makes my heart hurt. I don’t deserve to have her as my sister, but I’m glad I do. I give you my sister, Caitlin Russell.”
Everybody started to clap their hands and stamp their feet. Caitie bit her lip, trying to ignore the tears filling her eyes.
Lucas leaned into the microphone. “She’s also planning to move a little closer to Angel Sands, which I’m over the moon about. And I guess this would be a good time as any to remind all my friends to back off.” He turned around, grinning at the group of men behind him. “She might be gorgeous and single, but she’s my little sister and she deserves better than you bozos.”
The men started to laugh. Caitie swallowed hard, looking over at Breck. But he wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“Okay, that’s all I gotta say for now. Except thanks to each and every one of you for coming to our Christmas wedding. We can’t tell you how happy we are to have you here. Now let’s dance, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow I’ll be a married man.” He lifted his glass. “To Caitie and to everybody. Cheers.”
“Cheers!” the crowd echoed back.
The music started up again, this time the band began to play Winter Wonderland, and Lucas and Ember walked over to the dancefloor hand in hand, and began to waltz to the beat of the music.
Before long they were joined by Wallace and Deenie, Brooke and Aiden, and Ally and her boyfriend, Nate. From the corner of her eye, Caitie could still see Rachel and Breck talking. She wondered if it would look strange if she walked over there.
“Miss Russell?” A voice whispered in her ear. She turned to see one of the wait staff standing next to her.
“Yes?”
