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She inhaled sharply, and he went down on one knee. “You’re the only woman I’ll ever love. Will you marry me?”
She blinked fast and stared at the ring then back at him. “But we just— How can you be sure?”
His confidence wavered as she continued to sputter. The box shook in his hand. After another few seconds, he rested it on his lap. He had a bad feeling the ring wouldn’t make another appearance today. “I just do.”
“I don’t know if I love you yet. It’s only been a few hours since we started dating. I mean, I guess you could say we’ve been dating since I got home, but I’m not counting that time.”
Dean’s face burned with embarrassment. He stood up and paced the room for a few seconds before meeting her gaze, the box still grasped firmly in one hand. It felt heavier, and he wished he could chuck it out the window and pretend it never existed.
She stood and pulled him back to the couch. “That came out all wrong. I care about you a ton, and I like you, or else we wouldn’t be together. But this is all too new.”
He nodded and closed the ring box with a snap. She cupped his chin with one hand and waited until he met her gaze. “It’s too soon to predict what’s going to happen, but I do want to find out.”
Just because he knew he loved her didn’t mean he needed to rush things. He slipped the ring box back into his pocket and took both of her hands. “I’m willing to wait.”
A small smile started on her lips. He held out his arms, and she leaned against his side as he stood next to her. The hope he clung to was like a flicker compared to the hopeless ache inside his chest.
Emilie’s phone buzzed, and she stood to check it. “Ava needs me to help her into her dress. I think I’m mostly ready. Should I meet you there?”
He gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “I guess the wedding is still a go. I’ll see you there.”
When Emilie closed the door behind her, Dean’s knees weakened, and he dropped to the ground. The box dug into his thigh and he pulled it out of his pocket and laid it on a nearby table.
At eleven thirty, he brought their things to the truck then went to the chapel, or what was a large ballroom set up to look like one. Instead of pews, there were rows of chairs tied with bright gold bows at each end. Soft violin music played in the background, giving the ironic atmosphere a calm façade. Dean chose a seat in the front with a good view of Emilie.
She flitted past him a few times, only giving him a half wave. He’d made things uncomfortable, and she couldn’t even look him in the eyes. He sighed, leaned forward, and rested his chin in his hands.
Family and friends filled the seats around him, their voices hushed. He wasn’t the only one who thought this wedding wasn’t happening.
A preacher walked out in front of the audience, followed by Finn and his father. Finn’s appearance was no longer haggard, but his expression was stiff. A wedding march sounded on the overhead speakers, signaling all noise to stop.
A flower girl skipped down the aisle first, followed by a few of Ava’s bridesmaids from college. Emilie was next, a small smile on her lips as she gracefully moved down the aisle. Her smile was forced, pained even. Instead of glancing Dean’s way, she kept her gaze fixed forward.
Ava was no doubt beautiful, grabbing every eye in the audience. Since she had no father, she walked alone.
Dean sighed and focused his attention on Finn as he welcomed Ava up the steps. He didn’t look so good. Although his appearance appeared fine, his face told a different story. Finn removed her veil and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Then the two turned toward the preacher.
The preacher cleared his throat and smiled at the congregation. “Welcome, friends and family of Finn and Ava. We are gathered here today to join—”
“Wait!” Finn’s voice sounded through the chapel area like a cymbal clanging in the silence. Dean smirked and leaned back in his chair. That hadn’t taken long. Finn turned to Ava, his face now completely pale. “I’m sorry. I can’t do it. You don’t love me, and I can’t marry you.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open as she stared back at Finn. “Wh— You can’t marry me?”
“People don’t change overnight, and I know how you truly feel about me.”
Whispered conversations and mutterings rose to normal speaking levels. Ava spun to the audience, her face crestfallen. She turned back to Finn. “Honey, let’s talk about this.”
He took a measured step away from her. “No, I should’ve done this much sooner. I’m sorry if this hurts you. There will always be a part of me that loves you, but I can’t marry you today or ever.” He gave her one more lingering glance and then fled the stage, pushing open the exit doors with a new gusto.
Ava wailed, her cries piercing the hush of the crowd. They watched in stunned shock as the grown woman completely fell apart, throwing bouquets of flowers across the stage and into the audience. Some audience members moved out of harm’s way and others stared, fascinated with the sudden change. Her sobs came out more erratic as she gasped for breath.
Emilie made her way to Ava, but someone beat her to the punch. Gail, dressed in a matronly gray dress, hurried to the stage. Ava was as surprised as anyone. She held a flower vase above her head and froze.
“Mom? Wh—what are you doing here?”
“I’m rescuing you before you mob someone with flowers. Now, let’s go.”
Ava shook her head and pushed away her mother’s hand. Black tears sped down her face at an alarming rate. “Now you want to show up? After everything is ruined?”
