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RORY
My mind is moving at a million miles a second as I try to process Jackson’s confession. All this time. He’s had all this time to tell me he’s been in love with me. An entire decade, to be exact! Yet, he chooses my wedding day. Then he doesn’t even give me a moment to process the information before turning and running away.
“Aurora.”
My eyes look up, and I see the pale blue of my father’s looking down at me.
“Did you hear what he fucking said to me?” My father sighs and wipes a tear from my cheek that I didn’t even know had fallen.
“No, but I’m pretty sure I know what it was about.”
“You knew Jackson was in love with me?”
“I’ve had my suspicions over the years.”
My father is way too calm, which somehow makes me internally freak out even more.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“Aurora, the two of you were always on different timelines. He’d be single, and you’d be with someone, or vice versa. I figured whatever was meant to be would be. The friendship the two of you share seemed enough to keep you both happy.”
“But now what?” What am I supposed to do now that I know the truth?
“Rory? Skip? Are you guys ready? The coordinator said it’s time. Man, she scares the crap out of me.” Lyndsey stands in the suite's doorway, and I watch as her eyes soften. “Is everything ok?”
“Lyndsey, we might need another minute.” My dad gives my shoulder a squeeze, and I shake my head.
“No, I’m good to go. Let’s go.”
I grab my train with my left hand, my bouquet with my right, and walk toward the door. It’s time to power through this and face my future.
“Where’s Jackson? The drill sergeant has been looking for him. I haven’t seen him since I left to find your dad.” Lyndsey eyes me suspiciously, but I don’t have time to go into detail with her right now.
“He left.”
“What?”
“Aurora.” My father’s voice calls from behind me.
“He didn’t feel good.”
“Aurora.”
Lyndsey looks back at my father before her eyes settle on me. “I’ll give you two a minute.”
Once the door is closed, I let out a long sigh. “Dad, my wedding was supposed to start five minutes ago. Jackson had a decade to tell me how he felt. He lost his chance. Now, are you going to walk me down the aisle or am I going solo?”
My father shakes his head in defeat. “If your mother were here, she’d know exactly what to say. Hell, she probably wouldn’t have let the two of you carry on the way you did all these years, either. You’re sure this is what you want?”
“It is. Brad is… I love Brad.”
My father takes my arm in his and gives me a solemn nod. “Then let’s get you married.”
Walking outside, through the gardens, to the front of the old Victorian home, I can hear my father speaking, but I can’t make out a single word of what he’s saying. My mind keeps repeating the words that Jackson said to me over and over. Each step I take toward the entrance becomes heavier, and the pain in my chest grows stronger. Stepping into the foyer, I peek through the double doors. They decorated the inside to perfection. Sheer mint-colored draperies hang from the ceiling, creating a soft contrast to the dark wood rafters. The same mint color is adorned throughout the floor runner and in the floral arrangements that are spread throughout the room.
I see Brad standing at the end of the aisle. His eyes are locked on me. I’ve dreamed of this moment my entire life. How I would feel being the bride and watching as my future husband saw me for the first time. I envisioned myself grinning from ear to ear like a fool. Fighting back tears of happiness as I tried not to ruin my make-up. Excited about the future and what’s to come. But instead I feel nothing but dread. Pure panic at the thought that I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.
Watching as Lyndsey walks down the aisle, I see the look of confusion on Brad’s face when he notices that it’s my turn next. Jackson is obviously missing from the procession, and I have no clue how I’m going to explain all of this. When the wedding march plays, I inhale sharply and squeeze my father’s forearm.
