29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
“ Y ou are the prettiest bride to have ever existed.”
I have to hold back my tears as Lexie fixes a curl that escaped her bun, glowing. Her white dress is simple, nothing but pristine silk that falls into a short train covered by the prettiest lace veil. I know my best friend will bawl his eyes out when he sees his bride, and I’ll be right there with him. I’ve never seen two people so in love and so deserving of this moment.
“Do you think the makeup’s too much? Maybe I should—”
I stop her, hands on her shoulders. “You’re perfect.”
She gives me a shaky smile. I’ve seen this girl perform at the Olympic games, yet she’s never looked more nervous than she does right now. It’s all good nerves, though. After a two-year engagement, I know she’s so ready to marry Finn.
“I wish I’d convinced him to elope.”
“I know, but selfishly, I’m really happy you failed,” I say, squeezing her into a quick embrace. I seem to be overflowing with love today, crying left and right and wanting to hug everyone I pass. I might never have a real wedding, but at least I can live vicariously through this one .
I glance down at my ring, the gold band perfectly matching the necklace I found in Dad’s bedroom. My own wedding was nothing like today’s, and yet it’s a very real longing I feel at this moment.
After the incident —what I’ve called whatever happened in that bathroom in Chicago—I left straight for the airport in the morning, leaving a note saying I’d see everyone when they were back in New England. I couldn’t face Carter, especially not when there was a chance I’d ruined the friendship we’d spent months building. But now it’s been five days, and I miss him like crazy. I didn’t know how much I’d gotten used to having him around until I came back home and he wasn’t there. I used to be fine eating alone and doing everything by myself, but now, my food tastes bland when I look at the empty seat next to mine on the couch. I should not be missing him like this, especially since I miss more than his friendship. I miss his warmth when his leg touches mine while we watch a movie, miss the way I feel when I succeed in making him laugh, like I’ve won the lottery.
The door opens behind me, making Lexie and me turn to find Wren there, wearing a tight dress in a similar shade of green as mine. “It’s time,” she says, eyes glinting.
“All right. Show time,” I tell Lexie, who’s got her game face on. She decided to walk down the aisle by herself, so I’ll be joining the other bridesmaids to leave her alone. “You got this.”
She nods, and I follow Wren out the door of the main house on the Evermore Christmas Tree Farm before we join Finn’s and Lexie’s sisters, who are hidden by large fir trees right next to the start of the aisle, decorated with large assemblies of colorful flowers and candles. Finn decided on having only a best man, so Aaron waits with the girls, grinning widely when he sees his wife approaching. As soon as the Canons in D begin, Aaron takes her arm and kisses her cheek with so much tenderness I nearly melt before they start making their way down. Then it’s my turn.
The decor looks fabulous, but my gaze immediately travels to Finn, who looks as nervous as Lexie did, but who also seems happier than I’ve ever seen him. I can’t stop smiling as I realize how lucky I am to be here today, witnessing the magic that exists between these two people I love so much.
There isn’t a large crowd, only the people closest to Finn and Lexie. I meet a few faces I recognize as I take slow steps, hands wrapped around a smaller version of Lexie’s wildflower bouquet, and just as I’m about to look back at Finn, I almost miss a step and regain my balance at the last second. Because right there is a face I never thought I’d see here. One I could never have missed even if I didn’t know what I was looking for. Carter’s seated in the third row, surrounded by smiling people, but my gaze is snagged on him like a magnet. Seeing him is a breath of fresh spring air after a long winter. And dressed like this, with what appears to be a black suit and crisp white shirt… I won’t survive this.
I know I should be bringing my attention to the front as I approach the end of the aisle, but there’s no way I can break the contact when he’s looking at me like that. Like maybe he’s feeling as out of control as I am .
When I reach his row of chairs, I finally get over my shock and smile at him because I’m so freaking happy he’s made his way to me.
And when he gives me a subtle grin back, I know I’m done for.
“You clean up well, husband.”
Carter turns from where he’s grabbing a soda at the bar, and somehow, he looks even better from up close. I’m not sure where this suit comes from, but I know I want to see him in it again and again.
He doesn’t answer, only walking my way with a second drink in his hands. When he hands it to me, his eyes rake over my body, and even if he doesn’t say the words, I know he’s returning the compliment.
The ceremony has just ended, and instead of leaving to take pictures, Lexie and Finn have already joined the party, music blaring under the white marquee. Finn’s twirling Lexie around, the two of them laughing out loud like kids.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him, trying to sound casual. I want to jump on him, hug him like I haven’t seen him in a year, but I also don’t know how that would be received. He might be thinking about the last time we saw each other, when only a fogged-up room and heavy breaths separated us. I’d be okay if we never brought it up again, but he might have a different thought about this .
Carter’s throat bobs, but before he can answer, the music switches to a Beyoncé song I adore. I gasp, then grab his hand. “Want to dance?”
His brows draw together at the sudden change of topic, the question, or both. Then he gives me a small shake of his head. “I’m good.”
I shrug, then join the newlyweds and the rest of the guests who fill the dance floor, immediately starting to dance with a group of people I don’t know. I’ll get answers from Carter later.
I move my hips to the rhythm, eyes closed and head tossed back. The day smells like pine trees and freshly mowed grass, and the end-of-summer breeze is a delight against my skin. I continue dancing as we roll into the next song, and when someone takes my hand, I go with it. I laugh, hair loose as one of Finn’s cousins, a short guy with a mop of brown hair, twirls me around, but my spin ends abruptly when two large hands catch my hips. The guy looks behind me and immediately lets go of my hand. I don’t care, though, not when all my attention is now on the bergamot smell coming from behind me.
Carter squeezes my hips before he says, “The things you make me do, Fireball.” And then he begins moving with me.
The fabric of his dress shirt brushes the bare skin at my back, making me gasp. There’s no reason for this to feel so intimate, but the simple movement of his hips against mine, of the tips of his fingers so close to my panty lines, brings images back to me I’ve tried desperately to forget. Carter naked, touching himself, burning me with his stare as he comes undone. Sweat gathers at my nape as his breath caresses my shoulder, then my neck. He’s so close, and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anyone more.
When the song ends, it switches to a slower one, forcing me to spin so I can wrap my arms around his neck. It’s such a bad idea, but I can’t help myself. He doesn’t hesitate either, lifting his hands from my hips to my waist, never letting go of my body. Then he starts swaying to the soft music, bringing me with him.
“You didn’t answer me earlier.” I crane my neck so I can meet his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
His cheek twitches. “My job on the tour was done.”
That’s BS. His work isn’t done as long as the band’s second album isn’t done, and even if it was, he wouldn’t need to come here, to my friends’ wedding. No one knows me here. It’s not like we need to keep up with our marriage pretense.
My hands slip from his neck to his shoulders. “What are you really doing here?”
His gaze searches my face, from my brows to my lips to my nose, then back to my eyes. Then, as softly as a breath, he says, “I missed you.”
Three simple words that mean an entire universe. He doesn’t need to say anything else. It already means everything.
Applause breaks into the room, probably as Lexie and Finn kiss, but I don’t move my gaze away from him. This man who followed me back home because he wanted to spend more time with me.
My lips curl up. “I’m really glad you’re back, Andy.”