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“Because she’s hot, Clark. That’s it. Like… look at her.”
“I can’t deny that. She’s fucking stunning, but she’s not staying in Sunville, remember?”
“I know, and that’s why we aren’t serious. Just having some fun.”
“Uh huh. Just remember that. I was there when you came home after Beth broke your heart. I really don’t want to pick you up off the ground again, after you throw everything you’ve worked so hard for away.”
I placed a hand on Clark’s shoulder. “Trust me, Clark. I’m not going to get hurt. There’s nothing but pure, sexual attraction between us, and when she leaves at the end of the summer, that’s the end of it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Saying those words, my voice cracked. I averted my gaze and prayed Clark didn’t pick up on the doubt inside my head. Sure, maybe I was lying to him, but I was lying to myself as well. Either way, she was leaving, so what did it matter? I’d deal with that when the time came.
Clark said, “Fine, if you say so. I just worry about you.”
“I appreciate it, man. But you have nothing to worry about. Now can we get back to the group? The wedding is about to start.”
“Sure,” Clark said, shaking his head again.
I took my seat beside Anna, and we clasped hands. I placed a kiss on the back of her hand, all for show, of course, but her skin was so soft, and she smelled amazing. I closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla.
The wedding march started, and one by one, the bridal party made their way down the aisle. My friend, Patton, looked pale as a ghost and stumbled a bit at the altar, causing a few chuckles from the audience.
“He looks terrified,” Anna whispered to me.
“Knowing Patton, he likely just had too much to drink the night before.”
“Wild bachelor party?” Anna asked, her voice low.
“Knowing him, yeah. I didn’t go, not really my scene, but Patton is a bit of a wild one. Hopefully Molly will help him settle down a bit.”
We all stood as the bride began her walk down the aisle. Anna gasped, and while the bride was gorgeous, she had nothing on my date. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at Patton’s face. The puppy dog look Clark was talking about earlier. I saw it. He was no longer pale, and his eyes filled with tears. I’d never before seen Patton cry… that was a first.
“He really loves her,” Anna whispered to me, clearly seeing the same signs I did.
“That he does.” I gave Anna’s hand another squeeze as we took our seats once more.
My heart was racing, and I couldn’t stop stealing looks at Anna.
Did I look at her the same way Patton looked at Molly, the way Logan looked at Irene, the way Clay looked at Robin?
I glanced at Clark, and as if he could read my mind, he gave me a look and mouthed, “Be careful.”
Chapter 7
Anna
Everything about the wedding was breathtaking. The venue, with a view of the mountains in the distance, right on a lake. The natural beauty of the gardens. Even the bride’s dress… While I’d never dreamt of what my wedding dress would look like, if I had, it would look exactly like that.
A simple, bohemian style that flowed freely, fluttering with each step as if the bride was on some ethereal plane all her own. A simple flower crown replaced the traditional veil, and her bouquet of sunflowers was perfect.
I felt like a little girl all of a sudden, planning a wedding of my own for the first time. Imagining the flowers, the dress, everything… but I stopped myself, snorting in laughter at my own silliness.
Levi gave me a look. “You okay?”
I covered my nose and pretended to sneeze, feeling bad because I laughed loud enough that Irene and even Clark were staring at me.
“Yeah, just allergies,” I lied.
Levi patted me on the back, rubbing my shoulder as we focused on the ceremony and prepared for the kiss. Patton looked at Molly with such love in his eyes, and my tummy ached. If only someone looked at me that way one day… and I shut that thought down as quickly as it came on.
