Chapter 11 Andrew
“Congratulations,” Jack says, leaning across the table toward Emily, his signature grin plastered on his face. “I’m Jack. You know, I usually meet the bride before the wedding, but I’ll make an exception today.”
Emily laughs and I find myself staring at her. I’ve done a lot of that today. She looks stunning, more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her.
As Emily and Jack continue chatting, my eyes are drawn to her perfectly shaped lips. I remember how it felt to kiss her after the vows—how I had wanted to linger, to deepen the kiss, to hold her tighter and closer.
I take a deep breath and remind myself that this is business and Emily’s lips are not part of the contract.
We’re seated at a long head table, facing the rest of the guests who are laughing, chatting, believing that they are here to witness a couple in love wanting to spend the rest of their lives together.
I glance at Emily again. The way she carries herself with such grace, even with all the awkwardness of this situation, is admirable.
And distracting.
The MC’s voice cuts through the buzz of conversation. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the best man’s speech.”
I turn to Jack, giving him a look that says , I told you this wasn’t necessary . But Jack, being Jack, just winks at me. He had insisted on giving a speech, claiming that if one thing had to be real about this wedding, it was the best man’s toast.
He stands up, adjusting his tuxedo jacket, and clears his throat dramatically. “Alright, folks, I’ll keep this short, but not too short,” he says with a grin, the room quieting down as all eyes turn toward him.
“Andrew and I go way back. We served together, and let me tell you, there’s no better way to get to know a man than to serve with him. You see them at their best, their worst, and everything in between. ”
As soon as he says it, my chest tightens. The room fades, the sound of clinking glasses and soft laughter drowning in the surge of noise in my head. The memories come fast and hard.
Cover! Get down! The shout echoes in my ears, gunfire cracking through the air. Dust, heat, chaos. The blinding flash of light as an explosion goes off nearby.
My heart races. My skin feels too tight, my hands curling into fists as the panic claws at me, threatening to take me under.
I try to pull myself back, but it’s like being trapped underwater, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. Sweat trickles down my neck. I fight to stay here, to stay present, but my memories are winning.
A hand grips my arm.
“Are you alright?”
I blink, focusing on Emily’s face. Her deep green eyes are full of concern, her grip on my arm tightening.
Still caught between two worlds, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to nod, even though my heart is still hammering in my chest. Slowly, the world around me comes back into focus.
“I’m fine.”
Emily watches me for a second longer, her eyes searching mine. She lets go of my arm, but the worry is still etched on her face.
I force my focus back on Jack.
“I’ve seen Andrew in some pretty intense situations. I’ve seen him lead with bravery; I’ve seen him stay calm when everything around us was falling apart. There’s no one I’d trust more to have my back—and today, I can see he’s going to be that for Emily too.”
My heart is still hammering in my chest. That was too close. Too fucking close. I was a step away from a full-blown episode.
“Emily,” Jack continues. “You’re in good hands. I’ve never seen Andrew step up the way he has for you, and that says a lot. I know he’s going to give you everything he’s got, because that’s the kind of man he is. ”
The room is quiet, save for the soft clinking of glasses and the occasional murmur. Jack grins, lightening the mood again. “So, here’s to Andrew and Emily. To a lifetime of laughter, strength, and maybe a little patience—for each other and for life’s surprises.”
The speech ends, and there’s applause. I join in, but I feel like I’ve just come off a battlefield, not a wedding reception. Emily leans in again, her voice soft.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod again, this time more firmly. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Jack raises his glass, and the guests follow suit, toasting us. I lift my own glass, avoiding Emily’s eyes. What did she see? Did I give anything away? Fuck. It’s our wedding day and I’ve already fucked up.
As Jack sits back down, I lean over and whisper to him, “Thanks man, that was great.”
Jack just grins and clinks his glass against mine. “Anytime, brother.”
As the applause for Jack’s speech fades, the MC steps forward again, a bright smile on his face. “And now, it’s time for the maid of honor to give her speech.”
Lisa flashes a wide grin, tapping her glass lightly to get everyone’s attention. “Hi, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Lisa, Emily’s best friend. We’ve known each other since high school, and let me tell you, this girl has been my partner in crime for years.”
Her speech, like Jack’s is interwoven with seriousness and light moments.
“Andrew,” Lisa says, turning toward me with a mischievous grin. “You’ve got yourself one amazing woman here. And remember, if you ever need advice on how to keep up with her, I’ve got years of experience.”
The crowd laughs and so do I, the tension in my shoulders easing. My breathing is easier now and my mind fully present.
As Lisa wraps up her speech, everyone raises their glasses to us, and I follow suit, clinking mine softly against Emily’s .
The MC takes the microphone again, and his voice booms across the room. “Alright, everyone, let’s give a round of applause for our wonderful speeches! And now it’s time for the bride and groom to take their first dance as husband and wife.”
I suppress a groan. Dancing. Not exactly my strong suit, and I’ve been dreading this part since the beginning. But it’s a wedding, and I’m the groom. I don’t have much of a choice.
We walk together to the center of the dance floor as a love song fills the room. Emily’s hand is cool against my palm, and as I place my other hand gently on her waist, I catch the faintest hint of her lavender perfume. The same scent from when I first met her.
It stirs something in me, something I can’t quite push away.
We start to move, slowly at first, swaying to the rhythm. It’s surprisingly easy, the way we fall into step with each other.
As the song nears its end, I catch sight of movement near the back of the room. There’s some commotion—a shifting of bodies, the scraping of chairs.
My senses heighten, my body going on alert, but before I can fully register what’s happening, a voice rings out, loud and angry, cutting through the soft melody.
“You bastard!”
Everything freezes. The words are venomous, dripping with rage, and they claw their way through the air, making my pulse spike.
Hands grab my shoulders, spinning me around so fast that Emily’s hand slips from mine. The faint scent of alcohol hits my nose just before my instincts kick in. My body tenses, reflexes sharp, as I come face to face with Daniel.
His eyes are wild, bloodshot, and filled with fury. The scent of whiskey wafts off him in waves, overpowering my senses.
“What the hell?” I growl, yanking his hands off me, but the anger in him is like a live wire. His face is flushed, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle twitching .
“You stole my bride!” Daniel spits, his voice raw and loud.
“Daniel, this isn’t the place,” I say, my voice low and steady, trying to defuse the situation. My breathing comes out rapid and fast.
“Not the place?” Daniel says with a bitter laugh.
“This is between you and me,” I say, my voice hardening. I grip his arm firmly, moving him to the side, away from the center of the room. “Let’s take this outside.”
But Daniel yanks his arm away, his eyes blazing. “You think you’re the better man, Andrew? You think you can get away with this?”
I lock gazes with him, my patience snapping. “I already have.”
From the corner of my eye, I see his hand fold into a fist. I’m prepared for it but before I can do anything, Jack grabs Daniel and yanks him back, his grip firm as he steps between us.
“That’s enough,” Jack says, his voice calm but laced with authority. “Walk it off, Daniel. Now.”
Daniel’s eyes are still burning with fury, but with Jack in the way, he hesitates. He knows he’s outnumbered, out of his depth. His gaze flickers between me and Jack, breathing heavy, nostrils flaring like a cornered animal.
“This isn’t over. I’ll make sure of it,” Daniel growls, his voice shaky now, less defiant.
His threats don’t bother me in the slightest. “Leave before you embarrass yourself further.” Heat simmers beneath the surface, the need to lash out, but I clamp it down. Daniel’s not worth it. Not here. Not in front of Emily.
He glares at me for another long, tense moment, then staggers backward, pushing Jack’s hand off him with a wild, drunken swing. He stumbles toward the door, his footsteps uneven, muttering curses under his breath.
The room is dead silent. All eyes are on us, the shock of the scene still hanging in the air. My heart is still racing, my chest tight, but the adrenaline is fading .
“Are you okay?” Emily says, stepping toward me cautiously. Her face is pale and her eyes wide with shock, or fear.
I nod, forcing a smile. I don’t want her to worry about me. I can handle Daniel. But a lot of protective feelings come over me. “I’m fine. Are you?”
She nods but she looks tense. She stares at me for a moment longer, then takes my hand again, her fingers cool against mine.
Jack, still standing close, surveys the room, then leans in, his voice low. “You good?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I should have expected Daniel to show up but I’d been sure he wouldn’t be returning home anytime soon after what he had done.
“Anytime,” Jack says, slapping my back lightly before turning to the rest of the room, offering a nod that signals it’s safe to go back to normal.
The tension eases, conversation picks back up, and the music begins to play again, though the air is still thick with the aftermath of what just happened.
“Let’s get through the rest of this, okay?” I say to Emily, trying to lighten the mood, but my voice feels hollow.
She nods, giving me a small smile in return.
The evening resumes, but it doesn’t feel the same.