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I’d feel the same way if I were standing across from Livvy’s best friend.
“Love. Such a small word for something that carries so much weight, isn’t it? It isn’t just about heart-fluttering, knees-weak, rom-com moments.” My voice catches. “It’s about understanding, standing by each other when life gets messy. It’s about celebrating differences and cherishing commonalities.”
Both Cole and Livvy’s eyes grow misty. It’s their love story I’m here to honor.
I must keep my mind off Mariana.
“In a world that often feels like a tough place, we’re here celebrating love—this amazing, divine thing that brings us together. Love, in its purest, truest form, connects us on a deep, human level, yet it also points us toward the divine.”
My voice falters, and I take a steadying breath. My gaze once again finds Mariana. Her eyes meet mine, shining brightly.
Is this as hard for her as it is for me?
“And today, right here on this beautiful beach, we’re here to bless Livvy and Cole, to honor their journey of love.”
As I turn my attention back to Livvy and Cole, ready for their vows, my gaze lingers on Mariana one last time.
Love. It can be as vast as the ocean behind me and as piercing as the sun above.
And it can be painful.
Oh God, it can be painful.
* * *
She’s sitting at the bridal table, and her head is thrown back. She has such a wonderful laugh. So bright and ardent, just like her. She laughs with every part of that pretty heart-shaped face. Her eyes alight, and her huge grin shows all her teeth. I can’t stop myself from drinking in the sight.
I’m so absorbed in watching her that Sofia’s arrival startles me. She’s out of breath. “My dad wants to talk to you.”
I inhale a sharp breath. “What?”
Her brow furrows. “He promises he won’t be too intense. I guess the wedding made him a little emotional, and whatever he has to say can’t wait.” She smiles faintly. “You know how he is.”
Dizziness descends over me, making my pulse beat against my neck. “I never thought he’d want to talk to me at all. He said as much when he confronted me.”
She sets her hand on mine. “He was angry. I think he’s starting to cool down. To see Mariana’s perspective.”
My heart lurches. “Mariana talked to him?”
She nods. “She met with me and my parents a little bit after everything went down.”
I wish I could unravel every single detail of that conversation from Sofia’s mind, but I need to focus on the here and now. Hector wants to talk. That’s better than I ever could have hoped for.
“Send him over.”
She grins, giving my hand a squeeze before walking back to the other end of the tent. I watch her go before shifting my gaze to Mariana. She’s still glowing, smiling at her best friend.
My chest squeezes so tight it’s hard to take a breath. I knew this wedding would be difficult, but I didn’t think beyond the fact that I’d be close to the woman I love but can’t have. It somehow never occurred to me that my own wedding would be constantly on my mind.
The wedding that will never happen.
There’s no one for me but her.
I’m thankful to be pulled out of my head when Hector approaches my table. His body language is stiff but not angry. If anything, he seems a little nervous. I’ve never seen him nervous before.
The sight of it fills my heart with tenderness. If this really came about because he listened to Mariana, he’s made real progress in his relationship with her. In the four years I’ve known him, he’s never listened to her on serious topics. Notreallylistened. She’s his baby.
Maybe he’s starting to see her as a grown woman.
