AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I’d first found out about Sissy’s wedding, I had thought I would experience very different emotions walking down the aisle toward Macon, but all I felt right now was an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. Sissy had given me an unexpected gift, even if it hadn’t been intentional.
Holden and I separated and took our respective spots, and I wished the aisle had been longer. Pair by pair, the rest of the bridal party made their way down the cobblestone path. Then the music changed to the bride’s entrance song, and Sissy appeared with her arm tucked into Daddy’s, both hands gripping a bouquet overflowing with roses in pink, red, and white that cascaded to her knees.
Daddy’s eyes were red and shiny, and I had to bite my lip to keep from openly crying. Normally, at weddings, I loved to watch the groom’s reaction to seeing his bride walk down the aisle, but this time my gaze sought out Holden’s. He was already watching me with a stoic, steady expression that I returned with a watery smile as a lone tear escaped.
Our eyes stayed locked on each other the rest of the ceremony, only leaving each other’s when I took Sissy’s bouquet and arranged the train of her gown like she’d instructed me during rehearsals.
The rest of the evening was just a blur of pictures and toasts. I was insanely jealous of all the other guests, who were enjoying hors d’oeuvres instead of standing in heels that somehow managed to pinch every single part of their feet at the same time. By the time we’d made our entrance to the reception, I was limping and starving and dangerously close to hangry.
This was one of the rare occasions when I didn’t mind Sissy’s inability to be on time for absolutely anything, because plates were placed in front of us almost as soon as we sat down. I did my best to pay attention to Skye and Amber, responding to their small talk when I had to while savoring what was surprisingly good food for a wedding.
Guests stood around the dance floor, phones ready to capture their first dance, and I reluctantly joined them when the view from my spot at the table was blocked. Macon took Sissy’s hand, pulling him into her and dipping his head to whisper something in her ear.
“Any guesses what their first dance song will be?” Holden’s question alerted me to his presence by my side.
“‘Beast of Burden’?” I suggested, grinning up at him. Sissy and Macon had separated us at the long bridal table, so I hadn’t gotten the chance to really talk to him since we’d made our entrance.
“Interesting choice.” We watched as Sissy readjusted Macon’s hand on her waist. “I’m thinking ‘Highway to Hell’ might be a better option.”
I laughed, then turned back to the dance floor as the first notes of the song began. Any warm, fuzzy feelings toward Sissy I had been experiencing evaporated faster than rain in a desert.
That bitch stole my song.
There wererulesabout this sort of thing. Girl code, if you will. You don’t steal someone’s baby name and you don’t steal their first dance song. We’d been talking about wedding things during the bachelorette party, and had all named our first dance songs after Sissy confessed they didn’t have a song picked out yet. My song choice was “Joy of My Life” by Chris Stapleton. I had fallen in love with the song the first time I’d heard it, despite not being a big country music fan. Sissy had scoffed, informing everyone that country music was trash and so cliché.
Holden must have noticed my reaction.
“What’s that look about?”
“It’s dumb, but I love this song. I thought I’d like it for the first dance song at my own wedding someday. I mentioned it during her bachelorette party, so I kind of feel like she poached my wedding song.” I laughed, my cheeks heating. “Not that a wedding is on the horizon for me any time soon. It’s just...I don’t know...the perfect wedding song.”
“Come with me.” Holden held out his hand, causing my heart to lodge itself somewhere near my throat.
I slid my hand into his waiting one without hesitation. I would let this man lead me anywhere.
He led me out of the tent and around the hedges to a spot that was secluded but still close enough that we could hear the music. I turned to look around us, wondering what we were doing here.
“Will you dance with me?” Holden asked.
“What?” I sputtered, his request taking me by surprise.
“You said you love this song. It’s your first dance song, so dance with me. Pretend this is your night.” I stared at his extended hand. “Pretend with me, Sutton.”
Taking his hand once more, I stepped into his embrace. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me into him until there wasn’t any space between our bodies. Could he feel how hard my heart was beating?
He led and I followed, resting my head against his shoulder, my forehead tucked under his chin as we swayed to the music. The rhythmic, steady thump of his heart was a beat of its own, softly lulling me, and I let myself relax further into his arms.
“Joy of My Life” ended but Holden made no move to release me. The sultry notes of Ray LaMontagne’s voice urged me to stay in his arms forever.
“Holden...” I lifted my head, summoning what little courage I had, and said, “This doesn’t feel like pretending. I don’t want to pretend.”
His hands left me, and I fought back a whimper, panic rising. This was it. This was the moment he would break my silly, hopeful heart.
But then, instead, those big, warm hands came up to cup my face gently, like he was holding something precious. I closed my eyes, both to savor the moment and to keep from falling apart.
I felt his lips brush against my forehead, the corner of one eye and then the other, pressing softy — so softly it was almost a whisper of breath. My eyes popped open, searching his and silently pleading for more. He smiled that rare, beautiful smile that lit up his eyes, and took my mouth with his.
The contact sent shivers through my body and my hands came up to his shoulder in an effort to anchor myself to him. His tongue came out and swept across my lower lip. I parted my mouth on a sigh. His teeth sank into my bottom lip, nibbling, before his tongue met mine and the kiss turned frantic. His hands left my face, drifting down my arms, one stopping at my lower back and the other coming to rest under my breast. His thumb swept across the swell in time with his tongue and I heard the whimper escape me. This was heaven, and I never wanted to leave.
