Page 107 of Rekindle My Heart

“Sorry, but not sorry. I knew your sister. She was not nice. In the short time I’ve known you, I can see you would do anything for people you love. But you don’t do for you.” Kate stabbed a blue-tipped fingernail into Erica’s chest. “I’ll make it simple. Do you love him?”

Erica didn’t even blink. “Yes. But I shouldn’t…”

“Bullshit. I knew the story. Ashwood isn’t that big. Gossip gets around. The way I heard it, she cheated. He dumped her. You two hooked up. And Sarah was pissed. But I have to tell you, she talked trash all the time. She was only with him because she didn’t want you to be with him.”

Her lungs expanded until Erica couldn’t take in any more air. Ryan told her this. Her father had hinted at it. Hell, even her sister’s diary spelled it out. But hearing it from someone who wasn’t personally affected by it hit her hard. Deep down, she knew Kate was telling the truth.

“Sorry to dump this on you now. We should grab our seats—the wedding will be starting soon. We don’t want to miss Liz walking down the aisle.”

Erica washed her hands and followed Kate into the chapel.

Ryan stood on the altar between Jim’s brother and CJ. He looked so handsome in his tux. Her gaze locked on him. His strong jaw, intense eyes. He searched the pews, looking for something. When they landed on her, he smiled. His shoulders relaxed.

He was looking for me.Her stomach flipped.

The music started. Lorna stepped down the aisle in time to the wedding march. Next was Mira. She sashayed as she made her way down the white runner. Amy stepped up at the end of the aisle, in a complimentary-colored dress to the other two, and made her way down to take her place next to the others.

Finally, Liz appeared at the back of the church. All eyes turned to her. She was radiant. Her stepfather and mother escorted her down the aisle.

Erica looked back. Jim’s eyes flowed with love for his bride. It was so beautiful. Erica’s own eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away as her gaze moved to Ryan. He wasn’t watching Liz. No, his gaze was locked on her. Air caught in her lungs. He wasn’t smiling. His expression was a mishmash of emotions. She could pick out some, like regret, lust. But it went deeper. Love?

Right then, while Liz and Jim stood in the front of half the town exchanging their vows, Erica realized she wanted this. That long-abandoned dream of her and Ryan standing in front of their family and friends, professing their love.

But she’d pushed him away time and time again. Was it too late? Please God. She glanced up at the altar. She hoped not.

She whispered to Kate, “I need your help.”

Kate followed her gaze back to Ryan and nodded. “I got your back, girlfriend.”

For the first time in ages, she felt the future she wanted was in reach.

Now to grab for it.

Ryan hadn’t taken his eyes off Erica for more than a minute since he sat down at the head table. Her message last week was loud and clear—she needed space. He could give her enough space to fill Lake Superior, but the itch in his neck had him worrying she was telling him to pound sand with her avoidance.

Too bad. She was back in his life, and he wasn’t letting her go. Not without a fight. He loved her, and he’d bet his life that she loved him. They were good together. And not just the way her body melted into his. They were meant to be together. He knew it. And soon, so would she.

Yes, he was giving her space, but no way would it be thirteen years’ worth. Not this time. He’d decided, after the wedding, he’d find a way to make her listen even if he had to grovel.

“Who’s winning?” Amy nudged him.

“What?” Ryan spared her a quick glance before turning his focus back to Erica at one of the back tables.

“You two have been having a staring contest for the last hour. Why don’t you go talk to her?”

“I’m giving her space.”

“Why? The look in her eyes doesn’t scream space to me.”

It didn’t? He took in Erica’s flushed cheeks. He couldn’t see if her eyes were dilated from this distance, but maybe Amy was right. Not that he’d tell her that. He’d never hear the end of it.

Didn’t weddings soften women? Make them all gushy and emotional? Not that he wanted to take advantage of Erica in any way. He wanted the strong, independent, knew-her-own-mind Erica. The one who wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He slammed the last swig of his drink and stood. “I’m going in.”

“Good luck. Let me know if you need backup.”

He shot her a raised brow.