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Aiden is outside the tent. Looking like an unsolicited bodyguard. “Emma, I’ll take you to your seat.”
She takes his arm. Aiden gives us a curt nod, letting us know she’s safe with him.
Noah and I walk down the aisle quietly and part at the arch to take our place. The tension is heavy but I don’t think either of us is in the headspace to think about an out-of-control white lie. Not with the people we care most about getting married in a matter of minutes and the thing we’d all hoped for—worked toward— has come true.
At least temporarily from the sound of it.
Aiden and Emma are in the front row. Emma is wearing dark aviator glasses that look like the ones Aiden was wearing earlier. I smile at them just as the band changes to a traditional tune and the crowd stands.
Chase’s blue eyes glisten and my heart skips as I follow his gaze. Pepper stands at the end of the white rose-petaled aisle. I notice Emma whisper something to Aiden and he touches her hand before standing. Then walks up the aisle holding his arm out for Pepper. She smiles beautifully and takes it. Aiden walks her down, giving her away to his son and my throat clogs again with fresh tears.
I don’t think they’re supposed to do this until later, but Pepper wraps her arms around her groom like she can’t help herself and he doesn’t mind it one bit. The crowd is a mixture of laughs and awe before they part. He swipes at her tears and they exchange a few murmured words before the officiant starts.
I swallow and suck in a breath.
It shouldn’t be this difficult. It shouldn’t be this… heart-wrenching. Love is supposed to be two people who find each other and for better or worse, through fire and hell…fight to be together.
When Pepper was about to marry Troy Mayfield for the second time, Chase hopped on his motorcycle and got his girl back.
Meanwhile, I’ve been obsessing over the same man who walked away from me for something… something I let myself regret for way too long.
I wipe at my tears, ignoring Noah’s pained expression. It’s amazing he could be so cold one moment and then look like all he wants to do is hold me the next.
I watch my best friend and the love of her life seal their vows with a kiss.
I deserve this.
Love. Unconditional love. I deserve my second chance.
With…or without Noah.
I manage to avoid him for the first hour of the reception. Especially since I spent most of it checking the weather on my phone because it looks like it's going to pour any moment.
Which can't be right. I've been checking all week and it's supposed to be clear skies.
"Will you stop looking at your phone?" Levi swipes it from my fingers and sets it on the table before lifting me off the chair. "Dance with me."
I follow him onto the dance floor. "You don't dance."
He twirls me in place and catches my hand like an expert. "Wow."
He smirks. "Last time I danced was at my wedding."
"I don't believe it."
"What's the deal with you and Noah today? It have anything to do with that hockey player that looks like a Viking? You know I told him to go set the guy straight."
I scoff. "Thanks for that."
"What's wrong? What'd my brother do this time?"
I sigh, resigned. "It's not your brother. It's me. I'm a mess. Always getting myself in trouble and it's like I'm self-sabotaging, you know?"
"No," he answers plainly.
I motion to the happy couple. "We're not as simple as everyone else. Because I complicate everything."
Levi nods, towering over me as we dance. "Pretty sure you've got that all wrong."
