Chapter 29
EMILY
I stand at the entrance of the hall, all decked out in my bridesmaid dress, greeting the guests as they trickle in for Hailey’s wedding.
My heart flutters with every compliment about the decorations.
I can’t help but feel a little proud of what we’ve managed to pull off—especially with the last-minute chaos.
As each guest enters, I smile, nodding in greeting, but there’s this low hum of nerves under my skin. I haven’t seen Hailey since yesterday. Does she even want me at the wedding anymore? I know it’s a ridiculous thought but I know how tempestuous my friend can be.
Ben arrives, his eyes lighting up when he sees me. He leans in to sneak a kiss on my cheek. “You look amazing,” he murmurs.
I blush under his gaze. “Thanks,” I say, trying not to think of all the things he did to me last night. I had sex with each of them, and every bit of it was amazing. I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around that.
“Hailey is looking for bridesmaids,” he says, motioning to the other girls who are already walking past me.
I blink at him. “Oh.”
“That includes you, maid of honor,” he says with a nudge.
For some reason, my heart skips a beat. I don’t know why I’m nervous. This is my best friend. She has known me since we were in diapers, and she’s the person I look up to the most in the world.
Taking a deep breath, I follow Ben toward Hailey’s dressing room.
As soon as I step inside, the emotions hit me like a wave.
Hailey’s standing there, getting the final touches on her wedding gown, and she looks…
breathtaking. She’s glowing, not just from the makeup or the dress, but from the sheer happiness radiating from her.
My chest tightens, a lump forming in my throat. I didn’t expect to feel this emotional, but seeing her like this—it hits hard.
Hailey turns, her eyes softening when she sees me. She smiles, and in that moment, it feels like the tension between us never existed. “Emily,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Before I can respond, Chloe saunters into the room, a smug look plastered on her face. “Oh, look at you, Emily,” she says. “Doesn’t that green look good on you.”
Her tone suggests otherwise.
I clench my teeth, my mood souring instantly. Chloe’s wearing something outrageously flashy—a dress that screams look at me instead of letting the bride have her moment.
“Didn’t think we would see you after yesterday’s drama,” she says. The others in the room look at each other.
Before I can say anything, Hailey steps in. “She’s my maid of honor, of course she’s going to be here.”
Then, to my surprise, she wraps me in a tight hug. The warmth of her embrace pulls me out of my thoughts, and I hug her back, relief flooding through me. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this.
As we pull apart, Hailey’s eyes are filled with the same emotion I’m feeling. She doesn’t say anything, but in her silence, I know things between us are healing. We haven’t talked about everything yet, but we will. There’s no rush today. Just knowing she’s not mad anymore is enough for me.
Before I can respond, Collie enters the room, beaming. “I’ve got some good news, everyone,” she says, clapping her hands together. “The roads are finally starting to clear.”
There’s a collective sigh of relief from everyone, especially Hailey, who grins wide at the news. “That’s amazing,” she says. “So I’ll be able to make it to my honeymoon, after all.”
Everybody laughs, and even I find myself grinning before it quickly fades at the thought of the guys. Everybody will leave.
I’m happy, but I’m also sad. It’s been such an intense few days, and despite everything that’s happened, part of me isn’t ready to say goodbye yet.
As Hailey turns to look in the mirror, adjusting her veil one last time, I catch a glimpse of Chloe out of the corner of my eye. She’s standing there, arms crossed, clearly not pleased with any of this. She obviously expected some drama between Hailey and me.
The wedding is about to begin, and there’s a buzz of excitement in the air as everyone begins to line up.
Chloe, of course, is front and center, practically skipping to Jace’s side with that smug, overconfident smile plastered on her face.
She clearly thinks she’s going to walk down the aisle with him in front of everyone, basking in the attention.
I stand back, watching the scene unfold, feeling a bit left out. I had hoped things had settled, but Hailey had already allowed Chloe to be a part of the wedding party. It doesn’t make sense to create drama right before the wedding.
Jace, to my surprise, steps up beside Chloe, his expression unreadable. He holds out his arm for her, and for a moment, my heart sinks. I had hoped—no, I thought—he would walk with me.
Chloe grins widely, clearly savoring the moment as she slips her arm through his. I almost roll my eyes but bite back the urge. I’m here for Hailey, nothing else.
But then, something unexpected happens.
Just as Chloe is about to step forward, Jace pauses, holding her back. Chloe frowns, confused, looking up at him. “What’s happening?” she asks, her voice laced with suspicion. “We’re supposed to be walking forward, Jacey. Don’t get cold feet, it’s not our wedding yet.” She laughs at her joke.
“Chloe, you’re not going to be walking any further ahead of here,” Jace says calmly.
Chloe pales. “What do you mean?”
Hailey steps up, her veil flowing behind her like something out of a dream, her expression calm but with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “Actually, Chloe,” she says sweetly, “he means that you’re no longer part of the wedding party.”
Chloe’s face drops. “What?” she sputters, looking between Jace and Hailey in shock. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m very serious,” Hailey replies, not missing a beat. “Jace is going to escort you to the reception area, where you can stay until we arrange for you to leave.”
I can see the fire blazing in Chloe’s eyes as she tries to compose herself, her voice rising in pitch. “You’re kicking me out? Just before your wedding? You’re insane.”
“Sure,” Hailey says, catching her brother’s eye who nods silently. They had planned this.
Chloe’s face has turned red. “This is so humiliating.”
“Exactly what you did to my Emily yesterday, so yes, you deserve every bit of it,” Hailey says, practically pushing Chloe out of the way as she gestures for the others to enter the hall.
Chloe’s blazing eyes turn to me, full of fury. “You did this.”
She takes a step closer, but Raffle cuts between us, baring his teeth at her. Chloe yelps. “Get that monster out of here.”
“The only monster here is you, Chloe. And don’t go around blaming Emily. It was my decision, and mine alone. Jace, please get her out of here.”
“With pleasure,” Jace says, grinning.
Before Chloe can launch into a protest, Jace gently but firmly starts leading her away, his grip on her arm unyielding.
I can’t help but smirk a little. That’s what you get, Chloe.
But my surprise doesn’t end there.
As I stand waiting, still a bit dazed by the scene that just unfolded, Axel appears at my side. He’s dressed sharply, his usual stoic expression softened by something warmer, more intimate. He holds out his arm for me, and I blink, startled.
“I’m walking with you,” he says simply, his blue eyes locking with mine. “Jace wanted me to be here.”
That catches me off guard. I had been expecting Jace to walk with me, but something about Axel’s presence feels right. Maybe Jace knew this, sensed it even before I did.
I slip my arm through Axel’s, and we walk down the aisle together, the soft music filling the hall as all eyes turn to us.
My heart flutters, but this time, it’s not from nerves.
There’s a sense of peace, of rightness. Axel’s presence beside me is steadying, and as we walk, I realize something I’ve been keeping to myself.
We reach the front, and the ceremony continues.
Jace returns shortly, looking completely satisfied with himself.
The vows are exchanged, Hailey and Sam looking every bit the picture-perfect couple as they stand hand in hand, glowing with happiness.
It’s beautiful, and despite everything that’s happened, I can’t help but feel proud of the part I played in helping make it special for Hailey.
Later, as the bride and groom take to the dance floor for their first dance, I find myself standing off to the side, watching with a soft smile.
Hailey finds me soon after, her face flushed with joy and excitement as she drags me onto the dance floor. We sway together to the music, her laughter contagious.
“So,” she says, her voice teasing, “which one of them are you going to choose?”
I can’t help but laugh softly.
“I think I’ve already made my choice,” I say, my voice soft but certain. I see Whit across the room. When he sees me, he gives me a sheepish smile and holds up his flute of champagne. He and I had a long conversation this morning, and it only helped me know what I already want.
I feel a gaze on me, and I see Ben and Tanner on the other side of the room, observing me curiously.
Hailey’s eyes sparkle with curiosity, but she doesn’t press me for details. She just smiles knowingly and pulls me closer for another hug. I eventually let go of her and step to the side, letting her husband take the lead again.
The soft hum of the music fills the air as the guests sway gently on the dance floor. Hailey and Sam are lost in their own world, spinning around in perfect harmony. I stand off to the side, watching them with a smile, when suddenly, a hand appears in front of me.
It’s Ben.
“Care to dance?”
For a moment, I hesitate. There’s a lot to process from the day, and my emotions are still swirling in a whirlwind inside me. But something about the way Ben looks at me—steady, calm, and full of quiet affection—makes me nod.