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“I don’t care how late it is,” I cut him off.
“Just don’t do anything stupid.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I know you really want to see her, but you can’t force it. Just let it happen naturally. Show up at the wedding and act surprised to see her. She doesn’t need to know that we garnered you an invitation for the sole purpose of seeing her. And I sure as shit don’t want her to know that I had anything to do with making it happen.”
“I won’t say a word.”
“You won’t. Let’s just hope Bella doesn’t spill the beans.”
“She’ll have so much going on I doubt it will even cross her mind.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“Alright, man. Well, wish me luck.” I reach into my pocket and pull out my car keys.
“Good luck,” he calls after me as I head toward the door, stepping out into the warm afternoon heat moments later.
——
My knee bounces upand down as I sit along the edge of the aisle, my adrenaline pumping like I’m about to jump out of a plane and unsure if my parachute will open.
The wedding will be starting any moment and there has yet to be any sign of Hope. Then again, Henry and Wendy aren’t here yet either, so I’m not freaking out just yet. I’m sure the three of them will likely be coming together.
The groom’s aunt sits to my right. She keeps leaning in to talk to me like we’re old friends, and while I do my best to put on an easy smile and act like I actually care, I wish she’d leave me alone.
I have never met her nephew. Hell, other than going to school with Bella, I don’t really know the bride that well. I’m here for Hope. It’s the only reason I’m even subjecting myself to any of this.
I’m not a big fan of weddings, never have been. Though the thought of getting married myself one day does hold some appeal. Hope’s face immediately flashes through my mind.
I look to my left and catch sight of Lucy sitting two rows ahead of me on the opposite side of the aisle, her mom next to her. Her eyes lock with mine, but she quickly looks away. She seems to be trying to play it off like she’s watching for the wedding party.
I haven’t spoken to her in years. It feels weird seeing her now. She looks about the same. A little older, more mature maybe, but still the same Lucy.
I don’t know at what point my feelings for her changed. There was a time when Lucy was one of the most important people in my life. Now, just the feeling of her eyes on me makes my skin crawl.
Maybe it’s because of how she reacted when I ended things. Or maybe it’s because I know that being with her is what stopped me from being with Hope, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Whatever the reason, the attraction I once harbored for Lucy is long gone.
She’s still as beautiful as ever but my heart isn’t with her. I’m not sure it ever was.
My gaze swings toward the back of the church when the doors open. My heart leaps in my chest at the sight of Hope’s mom, Wendy. Henry follows in behind her. I strain my neck to try to see past them, but one of the ushers is blocking my view.
I swear I forget how to breathe when I catch a glimpse of dark brown hair, curled loosely down her back.
Hope...
She lingers in the doorway talking to the usher. I can’t see her face but I know it’s her. My entire body reacts to her presence.
It’s like time slows down as she steps around him. She looks even more beautiful than I remember. Her hair has grown out quite a bit, but other than that, it seems as though very little has changed in the last year. I have to remind myself that while it feels like a very long time, a year really is no time at all.
I drink her in. The pale blue, thin strapped dress that fits her body like it was made for her, exposing her toned legs. Her silver strappy sandals that show off her painted toenails. The dainty silver chain that hangs around her neck. The freckles that pepper the tops of her shoulders. I remember kissing every single one of them as I held her in my arms.
And then she looks up and our gazes lock. The smile on her lips instantly slips and is replaced with what I can only describe as shock. Seconds tick by as blood rushes to her cheeks, filling her face with a pink hue.
I ignore the pang of uncertainty I feel and keep my eyes focused on her. Unfortunately, she looks away all too quickly, following her mom and Henry who stop a few feet from me and slide into the row with Lucy and her mom.
When she takes a seat next to her best friend, she makes no attempt to look back at me. But I can tell by the rigid set of her shoulders that she’s aware of my eyes on her. And that’s where they stay throughout the entire ceremony. While everyone else is busy watching the bride and groom, I can’t tear my gaze away from the one person I’ve spent the last year obsessing over.
