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When I see the groom, my heart stops.
What the fuck is Shiloh doing here?
9
Zane
“What the fuck?” she mutters under her breath. “What is he doing here?”
How does she know my sister’s husband? She is anything but happy. I take her hand in mine. Taking a deep breath, I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I’m not sure how you know him, but we’ll talk after.”
The ceremony continues as everyone stands as my sister walks down the aisle to the basic wedding march. I’ll never understand why people spend so much damn money on a wedding. Laura and I spent like $3,000 on ours. Believe me, it is nothing like this one, but small and simple. We didn’t need three hundred plus people to know that we loved each other.
I rub my thumb on her hand. Her pulse is still fast, and even though she is putting on a smile for everyone else, there is something wrong.
My mind wanders as the ceremony goes on, and Cade’s words come back to mind. She would want you to be happy. After tonight, we will see if I’m ready to be on an actual date with someone. Opening my heart and soul to someone new sounds so terrifying. There is so much to consider. I’m not the average joe like I was when I met Laura. Now I have money and there are plenty of women who would date me just to have access to my bank account. Is it wrong to want someone who is intelligent, driven, and doesn’t want to sit at home all day?
Believe me, I’ve seen the horror stories in the tabloids and at these fancy corporate dinners where associates and partners have gotten married and didn’t get a prenup and six months later, the wives file for divorce and get a settlement. I can’t imagine going through that because when I love, it’s with my whole heart. Nothing less. It’s only fair that the woman should provide that same commitment in return, right?
The clapping brings me back to reality, and I take my hand out of Willow’s and clap once before everyone stands up to cheer on the happily married couple. Shiloh and my sister look so happy, and I hope she didn’t rush into things. He isn’t exactly who I pictured for her, but it’s not my choice.
Once they get past us, Willow turns around and her eyes bear into mine. “We need to talk now.”
The room fills with the voices of everyone else, each conversation spinning faster than the last. I can tell that my presence has made an impression on the crowd, and several people give me a friendly wave from across the room. A few of them are acquaintances from the past, but most are unfamiliar faces.
“Let’s take a stroll outside, then. It’s too loud in here,” I say, taking her hand in mine and leading her out the side door before heading over to the reception.
“Please tell me your sister did her homework on Shiloh? I mean...did she? Because I can’t fathom why a woman like that is marrying him?”
She is spinning out of control, mumbling and stuttering, and I put my hands on her shoulders. “Calm down. What in the hell is going on? How do you know him?”
“Well, I dated him about five years ago. We were roommates at one point, actually. Until one day, when I came home from work and all of my stuff was gone.”
“What do you mean, gone? Like what?”
“My laptop, my tablet, my two TVs, all of my expensive jewelry. It’s like he took anything of value and bolted. I almost got evicted because of that fucking asshole.”
This doesn’t sound like the Shiloh I know. Sure, he isn’t exactly the man of the year, but a thief? “Are you sure we are talking about the same Shiloh? Did you ever report it to the police?”
“What would the police do? I had no proof of the theft, so it would have been pointless.”
This is fucking nuts. What are the odds that my sister married my girlfriend’s ex? My family is going to have a field day with this one.
“Listen, it’s their wedding day, so let’s try to keep this between us for now. I doubt he is going to approach you if he recognizes you. So, let’s keep our distance as much as we can. And if he comes over, let’s not cause a scene.”
She glares at me. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.”
The way her cheeks flush when she gets upset...stirs something in me. “We should get over to the reception. My mother will be looking for us.”
She puts her hand in mine and we head over to the all glass reception hall. The atmosphere is alive with clinking glasses and polite conversation. People stand in small circles sipping at their drinks, or huddling together around tables sharing stories.
Willow stiffens beside me as we walk, her eyes scanning the room. She looks up at me, her face pale and tight.
We reach the bar and order drinks, standing there in silence as we wait for the guests of honor to arrive. I can tell how uncomfortable she is, but if we leave now, then all of this is for nothing. We should at least try to enjoy ourselves. I am about to reach for her hand, to try to offer some comfort, when a hand claps on my shoulder.
“Who you got there?” Shiloh asks.
“Congratulations, man. Aren’t you supposed to wait until they announce you?” I say, feeling Willow tense against me, her eyes darting from Shiloh to me.
