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As I stand on the carpet that’s been rolled out as a pathway to the altar, I hold a bouquet of white and pink roses, hydrangeas, lilies, and orchids in front of my chest. It’s a smaller version of the one my mom carries. There are chairs on both sides of the aisles with every seat filled. My grandmother is in the front with an empty seat beside her for my grandfather to occupy after he walks my mom down the aisle. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me as I step slowly toward the front. A string quartet plays the “Wedding March” in the background to set the cadence.
Ed smiles at me as I approach, and Brent winks, but not in a creepy way. I grin back.
I expected Brent to be a little sleazy. My mom’s track record with men is not good. But my first impressions of him have proven me wrong so far. He’s been nice and … normal. I wasn’t anticipating that. I’m still on guard because he could be putting his best foot forward, just waiting for the moment to flip a switch. But he seems different from the others—in a good way. He hasn’t flirted with me once. He doesn’t give me that instinctual red-flag warning that I’ve experienced with the others. The longing glances or the stolen touches that I’ve had to dodge in the past. I hope for Celeste’s sake that my initial impression is right and he turns out to be one of the good ones. It would be nice not to worry about her for once in my life.
I turn to face the crowd. Everyone stands as my mother makes her way to the end of the aisle to meet my grandfather, pausing there for dramatic effect. She looks gorgeous in her dress and veil with tendrils of her hair kissing her cheeks. And this might be the first time in years that I can remember a genuine, glowing smile illuminating her face. I glance over at Brent, and he can’t take his eyes off her.
My attention drifts to the small crowd. All eyes are trained on Celeste, watching my mom as she approaches her future. I see a few relatives and a couple of my mom’s friends that I haven’t seen in a while. There are some unfamiliar faces sitting on Brent’s side. I find Oakley standing next to Chase. He has his hand on the small of her back. They look so good together and not just because they’re both gorgeous. Somehow, in some unknown way, they just … fit. I watch as Oakley and Chase and everyone here are focused on the woman of the hour.
All except one person.
My breath leaves me on a gasp when our eyes meet. Chill bumps erupt across my skin. Time stands still as everything and everyone else fades into nothingness.
Ollie.
His dark suit drapes across his broad shoulders with a light-gray shirt beneath it and a navy-blue tie. Ollie’s dark hair is tamed, and there’s a five-o’clock shadow across his solid jaw. He looks so handsome; it hurts. He’s standing next to Chase like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like it isn’t a total surprise that he’s a few feet from me when he’s supposed to be several states away in Chicago. Everyone else is facing the back, watching my grandfather escort the bride to her groom. But Ollie … he’s staring at me.
He came.
I blink away the moisture that suddenly gathered without warning beneath my lids. The warmth in my belly grows, the sight of him doing funny things to my insides. Things I’ve never felt before. His eyes travel my body, taking in every curve and every inch of tan skin that’s displayed in this dress, making me tingle in hidden places. His expression is carnal, nearly feral. I clench my thighs from the heat in his sapphire gaze. When our eyes connect again, the air becomes combustible, and I know without a doubt that this man no longer holds the power to wreck me. Because he already has.
My legs are weak from Ollie’s intense stare as Celeste approaches. I force myself to focus all my attention on her, the way she deserves on this special day, but it’s difficult. All I want to do is stare at the man who has consumed my thoughts for the entire summer. My grandfather winks at me as he presents the bride to her groom. My mom hands me her bouquet to hold.
I watch the ceremony while fighting the need to stare at Ollie the entire time. I lose the battle more than once. It’s like Ollie and I are tethered together by an invisible force that binds us together. I’m more aware of him than anyone else here. And I have so many questions.
I can’t believe he came.
My heart is beating out of my chest. I have difficulty concentrating on the words being spoken by the minister. My palms are sweaty, but it has nothing to do with the heat and humidity in the air. I center on my breathing, trying to calm my nerves.
Once vows are exchanged and the bride has been properly kissed, my mother and Brent traipse down the aisle together. Ed offers his elbow, and I take it. He leads me behind the bride and groom. My gaze is glued to Ollie as he watches us go. I can’t tell what he’s thinking or feeling. All I know is … he’s here.
I’m stuck smiling for the camera with the bridal party for the next twenty minutes. The sun has completely disappeared by the time I’m dismissed. I can see the soft glow of the tent holding the reception a short distance away and hear the chatter of our friends and family. I start walking in that direction with my eyes on the ground.
Ollie’s leaning against a tree with his hands in his pockets. I’m nearly on top of him before I realize he’s standing there.
“Hi,” I say breathlessly through wide eyes.
He smirks. “Hi.”
One of my curls drifts across my cheek. I push it behind my ear. “You came.”
A band starts playing in the distance. I recognize an old Journey song.
“I said I would,” he murmurs, standing taller and removing his hands until they’re dangling by his sides.
He looks devastatingly handsome in his suit and tie as he towers above me. More like a model who should be gracing every billboard in the country rather than a hockey stud just entering the professional hockey league.
“Things change,” I say.
“And some things don’t.”
His stare is intense, though most of his face is in shadow. And I wonder if his words mean more than just his commitment to attend the wedding with me.
He runs a palm along his jawline, his eyes dropping to my dress. “You look … stunning.”
“Thank you.” The blush spreads across my cheeks without my permission.
I’m not bashful. My skin doesn’t normally color and heat. But Ollie brings reactions out of me that I’ve never experienced before.
