Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
ANDREA
A untie Andrea!”
June’s voice cuts through the pre-wedding chatter as she barrels toward me, her flower girl dress a blur of pale pink. I crouch down just in time to catch her, lifting her into a spin that makes her giggle.
“There’s my favorite flower girl,” I say, setting her back on her feet. “You look beautiful.”
“Mom did my hair.” She points proudly to the intricate braid threaded with tiny flowers. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” I smile as I smooth a stray strand back into place. My niece is precocious and sweet, and absolutely perfect. “You’re going to steal the show.”
Olivia approaches, elegant in a navy dress. “If you spin her again, those flowers are coming loose, and I am not redoing that braid.”
“No promises.” I hug my sister, breathing in her familiar perfume. “You look amazing.”
“So do you.” She steps back, admiring my dress.
We walk toward the seating area, June skipping ahead to where other children are gathering under a stained glass window.
“Everything looks perfect,” Olivia says, glancing around. “It’ll be your turn next.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I have to find a guy who Jax won’t chase off, first.”
My smile doesn’t reach my eyes. I can feel the strain in my cheeks, the effort of appearing fine when my heart feels bruised. Olivia doesn’t seem to notice, her attention divided between our conversation and keeping track of June.
“How’s Mark’s new route working out?” I ask, deliberately changing the subject.
“Exhausting.” She sighs. “He’s gone three weeks at a time now. That’s why we haven’t talked much lately. Single parenting is kicking my ass. It sucks he can’t be here today, but no matter what he offered, he couldn’t get anyone to cover for him.”
“I’m sorry.” I squeeze her arm. “I should have called more.”
“You’ve been busy with the wedding.” She waves off my apology. Then her expression turns sly. “What’s this I hear about you and Ace on wedding duty this past week?”
“Nothing to tell. We’re just friends.” I don’t want to say his name. I know he’s here today because he’s one of the groomsmen for my brother, but I still wish I wasn’t seeing him today, especially at a wedding.
My fingers find my bracelet, twisting it around my wrist. I focus on a floral arrangement instead of meeting her curious gaze.
“Just friends? Last time we talked, you were waxing poetic about how wonderful he is, aside from the part about our brother continually chasing him away whenever he’s in the same room as you.”
How can I explain that he kissed me and then wanted to hide it? That in one moment, he made me think he’d give me everything, and the next, he confirmed every fear I’ve had about him not being able to stand up to my brother.
“It’s complicated,” is all I manage.
The church fills with guests, and I spot familiar faces grouping together. Hanna and Jordan stand near the gift table, his arm draped casually around her waist as she laughs at something he’s said. Nearby, Lindy adjusts Cody’s tie with practiced intimacy. Ophelia and Rowan huddle close, sharing a private joke. They only got together this summer, but their love is so powerful it’s like staring at the sun. They’re perfect together.
Everywhere I look, I see happy couples ready to celebrate another happy couple. I’ve never felt more alone or single in my life.
“Andrea.” Hanna appears at my elbow, concern in her eyes. “You look like someone died. What’s going on?”
“Just wedding emotions.” I force brightness into my voice. “I’m fine.”
“Bull.” She guides me toward a quiet corner. “Haven’t you talked to Ace since yesterday?”
I shake my head, unwilling to dive into it here, of all places. “No. It’s fine. Really.”
Lindy and Ophelia join us, forming a protective semicircle around me. The concern in their eyes makes my throat tight.
“I’m here for you,” Hanna says quietly. “I know Ace runs hot and cold, but he has a good heart.”
Lindy nods. “Whatever happened, he’s been miserable too. Jordan said he drank himself stupid at the bachelor party last night.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” My voice catches, though a part of me feels some kind of…satisfaction that he’s having a hard time, too.
“We’re not saying forgive him,” Ophelia clarifies. “Just...keep an open mind?”
Unexpected tears sting my eyes. I blink them back, touched by their support and embarrassed by my transparency. Before I can respond, a ripple of movement near the side entrance draws our attention.
A commotion near the entrance distracts us. I turn and see the groomsmen and bridesmaids lined up by the door leading into the seating area. June is with them, her face crumpling like she’s about to have a meltdown. I’ve seen this before with my niece—it means she’s overwhelmed and overstimulated. I start moving toward my niece, but stop short when I see Ace crouch down beside her.
He crouches to June’s level, his expression gentle. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but his demeanor transforms—patient, kind, focused entirely on calming the distressed child. He produces a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it with exaggerated formality that makes June giggle through her tears.
My throat tightens watching him. I’ve seen flashes of this man before—the one beneath the jokes and deflection. The man I fell in love with years ago.
There’s the man I thought I knew. The one worth waiting for.
But is he real? Or just another glimpse that will vanish like a laugh on the wind?
A chime sounds, and the wedding coordinator announces it’s time to take our seats for the ceremony. My friends give me supportive squeezes before rejoining their partners.
“You okay?” Hanna asks.
I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders. “I will be.”
As I take my seat, I steal one last glance at Ace. He’s still with June, letting her examine his cufflinks with the seriousness of a jeweler appraising diamonds.
Maybe there’s still hope...
* * *
I slide into my assigned seat in the second row, sandwiched between Olivia and a family I vaguely recognize from Jax’s crew cookouts.
The string quartet transitions to a new melody as the last guests find their seats. The officiant takes his position under the flower arch. June, once again calm and happy, stands patiently by the door as the wedding party walks down the aisle and up to the altar, led by Hank as best man.
Ace in a suit takes my breath away. In a suit, he’s transformed from the rough and tumble man I know to a man whose portrait belongs in a museum. The formal clothes accentuate his broad shoulders and the clean lines of his jaw.
Jax stands at the altar, rocking slightly on his heels. I’ve never seen my brother look nervous before. His eyes scan the crowd, landing on me briefly with a small smile before focusing on the aisle entrance.
Behind him, the groomsmen arrange themselves in a neat line. When my gaze finds Ace, an electric jolt of desire lights up my body and my heart forgets that I’m mad at him. Flustered, I quickly look down at my program, heart hammering against my ribs.
A collective murmur ripples through the crowd as Leesa appears at the end of the aisle, radiant in her gown. Olivia squeezes my hand as we watch June walk ahead of Leesa with surprising poise, scattering rose petals with the gravity of someone performing sacred duty.
“She’s doing great,” Olivia whispers, gripping my hand tightly.
As Leesa reaches Jax, the transformation in my brother’s face steals my breath. The adoration and tenderness in his eyes make my eyes sting.
The ceremony flows with moments of laughter and solemnity. When they exchange vows, Jax’s voice carries across the gathering.
“Leesa, before you, I thought strength meant standing alone. You taught me that real strength comes from standing together. I will stand by your side for the rest of our lives.” My brother’s voice chokes, and his expression reveals more than I’ve seen since we were kids. I love that he found love, and I love Leesa for giving him such joy.
Leesa responds with equal emotion. “With you, I’ve learned what true, enduring love is. I will be your partner in all ways, to face whatever comes.”
A tear slides down my cheek before I can stop it, and Olivia takes my hand and holds it tightly.
The officiant’s voice rises. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Jax cups Leesa’s face with profound tenderness and gives her an intense, passionate kiss. The crowd erupts in applause.
I stand with everyone else, clapping until my palms sting, genuinely happy despite the ache in my chest.
As the newlyweds process down the aisle, I catch Ace watching me from across the way. The intensity in his gaze pins me in place. For a moment, the crowd fades, and it’s just the two of us looking at each other across an impossible distance.
“Andrea?” Olivia nudges me. “We should get a move on.”
I turn away, focusing on following the crowd toward the front of the church. June tugs at my hand, chattering about her upcoming dance with Uncle Jax.
The simple realization forms as I watch my brother and his wife greeting guests. I want that kind of love—open, brave, supportive. I deserve someone who stands beside me publicly, who fights for our relationship rather than hiding it.
Maybe that person is Ace.
Maybe it’s someone I haven’t met yet.
Either way, I won’t accept less than what I just witnessed—a partnership built on respect and courage.
“You okay?” Olivia asks as we head to the front of the church and parking lot, so we can go to the reception hall at the VA Center.
“I will be,” I answer, and for the first time in days, I believe it.