12. Londyn
LONDYN
I'd spent the better part of the week running here and there with my mother, and it seemed like the wedding was mentioned with every errand or friendly visit. I’d gone back and forth about going.
I wanted to be there for Skylar, but knowing Jackson wasn’t coming put a real damper on things.
I tried to think of an excuse to get out of going, but nothing came to mind.
At least, nothing that sounded like a truly good reason. I was stuck.
When the big day arrived, I put on the dress I’d bought, and I studied my reflection in the mirror.
I didn't look half bad. My hair was curled down on my shoulders.
I'd done my makeup and was wearing my favorite pearl earrings, and the black dress hugged my curves in a way that didn't make me cringe.
I considered that a bonus.
I was trying to decide on which heels to wear when I heard Dalton say, "You look so prew-ty, Momma."
I turned and found my precious son standing in the doorway with a bright smile on his face. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"When is Cici coming?"
"It won't be long now." Cici was a neighbor’s daughter. She was seventeen and absolutely adored Dalton, so I felt good about leaving him with her, especially since it was only for a couple of hours. "Are you excited to see her?"
Dalton nodded eagerly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "We're gonna have pizza!"
I chuckled. "Oh, lucky you. I wish I could have pizza."
I ruffled his hair and leaned down to give him a kiss on the forehead. "You be good for her tonight, okay?"
"Um-hmm. I prom-mise."
I gave myself one last look in the mirror, then grabbed my purse and said, “Let’s go find your grandmother and see what’s taking her so long.”
Dalton and I made our way into the living room, and it wasn’t long before Cici came knocking at the door.
After we got them situated, we said our goodbyes to them both and headed to the wedding.
As expected, the church parking lot was slammed, and it took my father some time and effort to get us parked.
Eventually, we made our way inside and found a seat in the back.
The decorations were breathtaking--white and gold flowers adorning the pews, an elegant chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and a red carpet leading up to the altar. Soft music played as we waited for the ceremony to begin.
It wasn't long before the music began, and Skylar started down the aisle, her dress flowing behind her. I was watching her make her way towards Lucas when I spotted Malcomb. He was sitting on the groom’s side with Cotton and Cass, and to my surprise, there wasn’t a woman sitting with him.
He was alone, and he couldn’t have looked more handsome.
He was wearing a suit, which was something I hadn’t seen him wear since Prom, and the same held true for his father.
They rarely ever went anywhere without their Fury jackets and motorcycles, but I must say they both cleaned up nicely.
I didn’t want to stare, but I couldn’t help myself.
It seemed like a lifetime since we’d been in the same room together.
After several long moments, I managed to tear my eyes away from him and back over to the actual ceremony.
Skylar’s eyes were full of love and hope as she said her vows, and Lucas seemed humbled by the fact that she was about to be his.
It was beautiful, and it wasn’t long before my emotions started to get the best of me.
So much so my mother leaned over to me and whispered, “Are you okay?”
“Um-hmm,” I mumbled.
“Your day will come, sweetie. You’ll see.”
“I know.”
She didn’t get it. I knew I would never have what Skylar had. That chance had come and gone, but I didn’t bother arguing. I knew she would start doing that thing where she tried to make me feel better, so I kept my thoughts to myself and simply nodded.
When the ceremony was over, the preacher announced the couple as husband and wife and invited us all to join them in the reception hall.
I felt a mix of apprehension and excitement as I followed my parents out of the church and across the street to the reception hall.
We were about to go in when I heard Kinley call out, “Hey, Londyn. Wait up!”
Mom and Dad continued inside while I walked over to Kinley and Mark and said, “Hey, guys! I was wondering if you were going to make it.”
“We almost didn’t.” Kinley’s eyes skirted over to Mark as she said, “The twins were in rare form today. I think they’re both teething.”
“Oh, that’s no fun.”
“No, it isn’t.” Kinley looked around at all the people going into the hall as she said, “She had quite a turnout.”
“Yes, she did. I had no idea this many people were coming.” I knew Malcomb was close. I could feel him, so I suggested, “We should probably get inside and find a spot.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Kinley leaned towards me as she whispered, “We need to find a table close to the back so we can slip out early.”
“Only if I can slip out with you.”
“Absolutely.”
I followed them both inside, and just as we suspected, the place was already packed. Mark led us to an empty table in the back, and we all sat down.
As we settled in, I looked around the room.
It was simply decorated with little white lights hanging from the ceiling and bouquets of flowers on every table.
There was a small dance floor and an open bar that already had a long line.
The guests were mingling, laughing, and seemed to be having a great time.
I, on the other hand, felt out of sorts. I was anxious and hot, and my heels were pinching my toes. A waiter came over with a tray of wine glasses. I grabbed one and quickly drank it, then immediately swiped another.
Hoping it would help ease the knot in my stomach, I drank it, too. Kinley giggled as she asked, “You okay over there?”
“Better now.”
“I guess it’s kind of hard being here with him.” She leaned in a little closer. “Especially when he’s constantly staring at you.”
“Who?”
“Malcomb.” She nodded her head to the left as she whispered, “He’s been over there staring at you since we sat down.”
Like a reflex, I turned, and my heart leapt to my throat when my eyes met Malcomb’s. He was standing in the corner with his father, and just like Kinley said, he was staring right at me.
Despite everything that had happened between us, I couldn't deny that I was still attracted to him—very much so, and I silently cursed myself for it. The man had ripped my heart right out of my chest and stomped on it multiple times. I would be a fool to let him do it again. Kinley sounded amused as she snickered, "See. He can’t take his eyes off of you.”
“He can look all he wants.” I tried to avoid his gaze, quickly turning and looking back at Kinley. I took another sip of my drink, then added, “It’s not going to change anything.”
“Really? I always thought you two were good together.”
“Were is the key word there.” I shrugged. “I think it’s safe to say that our time has come and gone.”
“I don’t know about that.”
Kinley’s eyes drifted up, signaling that he was walking towards us. My whole body tensed as I glanced over my shoulder, and just as I feared, he was right behind me. I managed to feign a smile as I said, “Hey, Malcomb.”
"Hey.” His eyes were locked on mine as he asked, “Can we talk?”
"Yeah... I guess," I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady as I motioned to the empty seat across the table. “You can sit.”
“No.” His eyes bored into mine as he replied, “In private.”
“Oh.” I glanced over at Kinley, then back to him. “Okay.”
I stood, then followed him through the crowd and out of the front door.
He didn't say a word as we made our way over to the bottom of the steps.
Malcolm finally stopped, turning to face me his tousled hair falling over those familiar, irresistible eyes.
They were dark and intense, and they were fixed on mine.
I could feel the tension building inside me as I waited for him to speak. His eyes skirted seductively over me as he said, “You look good. Real good.”
“You look good, too.”
A cool breeze whipped around, carrying Malcomb’s scent, and the second it reached me, I had a sense of Deja vu.
I’d smelled this scent before, and not a long time ago.
I’d smelled it recently. I just couldn’t place where it had been.
My stance faltered as a rush of conflicting emotions.
I’d promised myself I wouldn't let him affect me this way anymore—especially after seeing him with someone. “Please tell me you didn’t bring me out here to tell me that.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then, what are we doing here?”
“I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I shouldn’t have ended things the way I did.”
“No reason to apologize now... It was a long time ago.”
“Yeah, and I think about it all the time.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face as he added, “I think about you all the time.”
He was standing right there in front of me, looking as handsome as I’d ever seen him, and he was saying exactly what I’d always wanted him to say.
But for reasons I couldn’t understand, I was angered by the fact that he was just now saying them to me.
I took a step back, trying to put some distance between us. “Why are you saying this now?”
“It’s what I’ve always wanted to say. I miss you, Londyn.” I could hear the sincerity in his voice as he said, “I’ll make it right if you just give me the chance.”
I shuddered involuntarily, my body betraying me.
I silently cursed myself for still being so drawn to him and not being able to let go of what we once had.
It was another painful reminder of the power he still held over me, and I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever truly be free from his spell. I cleared my throat, then told him, “But you’re with someone.”
“I haven’t been serious with anyone since you left. I’ve tried, but...”
His words suddenly trailed off, and his eyes grew wide just as a pair of hands slipped around my waist and pulled me back. I had no idea who had come up behind me until I heard Jackson say, “Hey, sweetheart. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Jackson?” I whipped around. “What are you doing here?”
“I was able to get out of my meeting early, so I thought I’d come by and surprise you.”
“But how...”
“I went by your house, and Cici told me where to find you.”
Jackson had gone all out. He was wearing his best black suit with a royal blue tie, and he looked fabulous. I appreciated him coming, but his timing couldn’t have been worse. “You could’ve called and told me you were coming.”
“Yeah, but then, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” Jackson turned to Malcomb and extended his hand as he said, “Hey, I’m Jackson.”
“So, I heard.” Malcomb shook his hand as he added, “I’m Malcomb.”
“Good to meet ya, Malcomb.” Jackson’s eyes knowingly skirted over to me, then back to Malcomb. “I believe I’ve heard Londyn mention your name... You guys went to high school together, right?”
“Something like that.” Malcomb turned his attention to me, then said, “I’m gonna head back inside. You two have a nice evening.”
“You too.”
When he turned to leave, Jackson called out to him, “It was nice to meet you, Malcomb.”
Malcomb didn’t respond.
He just kept walking and disappeared inside the reception hall. As soon as the door closed, I gave Jackson a light shove. “I can’t believe you came.”
“I felt bad about leaving my girl in the lurch.”
“I appreciate that, but your timing wasn’t the best.”
“I saw that.” A smirk crossed his face as he said, “So, that was Malcomb.”
“The one and only.”
“He’s a handsome guy. I can see why you were so hung up on the guy.”
“Yeah, I knew it was going to be hard to see him, but I had no idea it would be this hard.”
“I’m pretty sure he felt the same.” He chuckled as he said, “The poor guy looked like I’d kicked him in the balls when I called you sweetheart.”
“I imagine so.”
“Serves the guy right.”
“Actually, he’d brought me out here to tell me how sorry he was for everything.”
“Is that so?” He crossed his arms. “Well, I say we go in there and make him even more sorry.”
“Jackson.”
“Don’t Jackson me. This asshole has it coming.” He took me by the hand and tugged me up the steps. “By the time I’m done, he’ll regret ever letting you go. Just wait and see.”