14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter fourteen
A ria’s eyes glassed over with tears as she stood with the other guests, watching her brother and Layla recite their vows to each other among their closest friends and family. The simple yet poignant ceremony really touched her and made her long for the same love and devotion Jax and Layla spoke of today. Nothing more was needed than to look at the beautiful bride smiling adoringly at her groom and him smiling back at her like he won the lottery.
Fox had, and he looked at her sister Melody like she was a million times better than any jackpot. The Wildes truly were lucky in love. Lyric and Mason were expecting their first child. Jax and Layla were getting married and ready to welcome their first child. Melody was about to move to Boston to be with Fox and start a whole new life. It wouldn’t be long before Melody was married, too.
And Aria was still waiting for her love life to be more than just a handful of in-person days a month with nothing but calls and texts in between to save them from slipping away from each other.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Jax kissed Layla like she was the oxygen he breathed. The beautiful moment brought tears to Aria’s eyes.
And Layla, she was a beautiful bride in her white gown with a fitted long-sleeve top that had a wide V-neck, with floral appliqués and a barely-there back. The chiffon skirt draped from her waist to the floor in a church-length train that puddled at the back of her feet, but wasn’t long enough to hinder her during the reception. If you didn’t know she was pregnant, you’d never tell in that dress. It was sexy and beautiful. Just like her brother’s bride.
They looked so good together. A perfect match. The perfect couple.
She wondered if that would be her and Nick someday.
Jax dipped his bride right before he ended the kiss and pulled her even closer.
The officiant announced with exuberance, “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Wilde.”
Everyone applauded.
She waited just long enough for Jax and Layla to head into the reception before she followed right along and headed for the bar.
She used to love weddings. They made her happy and hopeful. The room seemed to be filled with love and hope and anticipation for a wonderful future. For them. And while she was happy for her brother and Layla, she wished it was her.
Lyric sidled up to her. “What’s that look?”
She pasted on a smile. “Nothing.”
Lyric bumped her shoulder into Aria’s. “Come on. Spill it.”
It took her a minute to find the courage to say it out loud. “I wish it was me.”
Lyric pulled her into a hug. “I know. And it will be.”
She stepped back, but still held Lyric by the shoulders. “Do you think so? I feel like I pick men who don’t pick me. Dan cheated. Mark was nice, but trying to move way too fast into a relationship. Nick is married to his job and lives in another state.”
Lyric cupped her cheek. “Not for long. Mason said Nick is anxious to get here and be with you.”
She released her sister and asked, “Has Mason said anything about this case Nick is working on? It sounds really dangerous.”
“I imagine it is. The guy he’s after killed another agent and took a shot at him. Other than that, I’m not sure. Why? Are you scared for him?”
“Yes. Aren’t you when Mason is working?”
“Not so much now. He isn’t undercover anymore and leads a lot of training. Though he still helps out on cases.”
They watched Jax and Layla greet all their guests as they made their way through the room.
Aria kept her focus on Lyric. “How do you keep yourself from worrying to death?”
“I trust that he’s trained and will do everything he can to keep himself safe. I believe that no matter what he faces, his end goal is to always come back to me. And I have faith that he will do everything he can to protect himself and others, while arresting those who deserve it. I don’t let myself get mired in the what ifs. I focus on how proud I am of him for doing a really hard and dangerous job, because it’s necessary and keeps us all safe.” Lyric’s mouth scrunched to one side. “Even though all that is true, I still worry. It’s hard not to when I love him so much. So I know how you feel about Nick. It’s especially hard when the hours stretch and you haven’t heard anything.”
She sighed. Try days. “I know he’s good at his job. I trust him to be safe. I’m being ridiculous.” And selfish. She was only thinking of herself, and not all the people Nick helped.
“No. You love him. He’s lucky to have someone like you who cares and understands and still finds a way to let him do that job without holding him back. So instead of worrying about whatever he’s doing today, let’s celebrate with Jax and Layla. And maybe you could use a drink to help you relax and have some fun.”
Sounded like a good plan to her.
So she immersed herself in the reception, giving one of the toasts, dancing with friends and family, enjoying the dinner and eating the decadent cake, and waving off Jax and Layla as they left for their honeymoon night.
But the thing that stuck with her as she drove home was the family picture they took. Mom and Dad, Lyric and Mason, Jax and Layla, Melody and Fox, ending with her standing without a partner. She’d sent Nick a text right after it.
ARIA: Just took family photo. All of us together with Mom and Dad. My siblings with their partners. It really hit me. You were missing.
NICK: I’m sorry. I wish I could have been there.
She unlocked the door to her place, still thinking about that text.
How many more texts would she get like that in the future? Was this what life with Nick would be like?
That future didn’t seem as happy as the one she imagined.
Today hadn’t been all it could have been if he’d been there.
Even if he moved here, he’d have the same job. Would she always be the one with the missing partner at events and in the photos?