AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You look good, Bren.” Sonia’s whisper raised all the hairs on his neck. Turning, her red dress a vivid spark in the lineup of dark suits and purple bridesmaids’ gowns, she smiled — genuinelysmiled— at Hunter. “Scary but cute, you said? I think that should be my motto.”
The processional music began. Chelsea flitted ahead to open the double doors, and the first members of the wedding party filed out into the gallery.
Though he hated to stop touching her, Brendan let Sonia’s arm go. Grabbing Ian around the shoulders, he hugged his brother hard.
“I’m gonna miss you so much.” It was absolutely the wrong thing to say, but he blurted it out anyway.
Ian returned the bear hug, thumping his back. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said in a low voice. “It’s always us, B. There’s just more of us now.”
When he turned back, Sonia was smiling. Fuck, that gorgeous smile that lit up her eyes and softened her face.
As their arms linked again, her fingers twined in his, and her touch made his head go light. She shivered, her eyes still locked on his, and he pulled her even closer.
“You look so intense,” she whispered with a little grin. “I like it.”
“Yeah? Am I scary but cute?”
She snorted.
Hunter and Marissa were walking forward now, making googly eyes at each other and nearly bumping into the next bridesmaid and groomsman. Chelsea’s arm flew out to halt their progress, and she gave them a reproving look. They dissolved into laughter.
Chelsea glared, shushing them. “Now you can go,” she huffed, shooing them through the doorway.
Brendan squeezed Sonia’s arm, and she squeezed back. Chelsea caught his eye and nodded. He and Sonia stepped through the doorway and walked down the aisle.
The gallery was filled with family and friends, sparkling with strings of lights. Flowers bloomed from the arch at the front of the room.
The moment he’d waited for was here.
It was a moment he’d dreaded for a long time. Walking with Sonia at his side, fearing the waves of her hatred. Seeing his brother embark on a life without him. Looking at Diana and Ian together, an unbreakablewe,and doubting he’d ever find that kind of connection.
But all the fear was gone. He was so happy, he couldn’t stop smiling.
There were whispers as he and Sonia strolled down the aisle. There was a gasp from Di’s mom at the sight of Sonia’s bright red dress.
When they separated at the arch, Sonia walked to the right as he found his place on the left.
Ian sauntered casually down the aisle, like he’d just happened to stumble into this wedding and put on a tux. But his hazel eyes were narrowed, focused on the arch with laser intensity.
Then came the flower girls scattering petals, followed by the ring bearer, who kept trying to break into a run. Finally Diana began her slow walk, gorgeous in her wedding gown.
Her dark hair was scattered over her shoulders, her blue eyes wide beneath her side-swept bangs. Her breasts rose and fell in her tight beaded bodice, and her hands, laced together, clutched the bouquet.
When she reached the arch, Ian pulled her in, angling his face toward hers, and someone hissed “Not yet!”
Behind Di and Ian’s backs, Sonia’s gaze met Brendan’s. She grinned at him, sending a fizz of excitement down his body.
The ceremony was a blur. Poems, vows, the wedding kiss, Ian and Diana dashing up the aisle as a married couple while everyone cheered for them. The pictures, the cocktail hour. Making the rounds of the guests. Sonia at his side, dancing with him, eating dinner. Animated and talkative, all her prickles gone.
After dinner, he stood up to give his best-man toast. A glass of champagne waited at the table as he took the mic in his hand.
Brendan knew everyone expected hilarious anecdotes about Ian’s bad behavior growing up. About Diana reforming him like a good girl, whipping him into shape, bringing him into line. That was the story they all wanted to hear.
Not about a threesome.
Not about who Ian really was, or Diana, or even Brendan himself.
Not about the truth.
