Chapter 10
TEN
JUSTIN
“Nice to meet you.”
“Where you been?”
I push my way through the crowd of guests gathering to attend Brad and Bianca’s wedding. After noting that Gigi is talking with Selena, our brother, and a few of the other guys from the fire department, I turn my attention back to finding Brad.
This has all gone on long enough.
I spot Brad instead, standing off to the side nursing what appears to be a highball of whiskey.
I stride over to him. “Brad, we need to talk.”
He turns to face me, his expression shifting from surprise to wariness. “What do you want, Justin?”
“This pissing match between us is over,” I say firmly. “I’m with Gigi, and you’re getting married. We need to leave everything in the past. And the rumors about Selena need to stop.”
Brad’s eyes flicker with something I’ve never seen before—remorse. “It wasn’t me,” he admits quietly. “My fiancée started them because she was jealous of how much I still talked about Gigi.”
I nod, satisfied. “Then make sure they stop, Brad. For good.”
He nods, looking genuinely contrite. “I will.”
As I turn to head to my seat, I feel a hand grab my arm. I look down to see Brad’s bride, her eyes wide and pleading. “Justin, can I talk to you for a second?”
Reluctantly, I follow her a few steps away from the crowd. She suddenly throws her arms around me, her grip tight and desperate. “I’ve been watching you,” she whispers. “The way you are with Gigi. You’re so sweet to her. I think the two of us should actually be together.”
“Have you completely lost it?” I extract myself from her arms, my stomach turning.“I could never be with a woman like you. No one compares to Gigi.”
Her face flushes with anger and embarrassment. “Well, whatever,” she snaps. “I’ll just go back to Plan B and marry Brad.”
“You might as well since everyone is here.”
Her face lights up. “Exactly.”
God, I don’t know who I feel more sorry for. Brad, who is getting a woman who doesn’t really want him, or Bianca who clearly has a screw or two loose.
I walk away, shaking my head in disbelief but quickly put them out of my head. There’s just one person I need to find now. Gigi.
My heart swells with love as I see her sitting toward the back. She’s wearing the dress she briefly modeled for me last night, and she looks even more stunning than I remember.
My gut clenches. This is it. This is the moment I come clean.
I make my way over to her, and when she sees me, her face lights up with a smile that makes everything else fade away. “Hey, you,” she says softly, taking my hand.
“Hey,” I reply, pulling her close. “Is everything okay?”
She nods, her eyes searching mine. “Yep. We’re both here. Together. And people have noticed. Just like the plan.”
As we take our seats and the ceremony begins, I can’t help but steal glances at Gigi. Her presence calms me, grounds me. I realize that this isn’t just about revenge or proving something to Brad. This is about being with the woman I’ve come to care for deeply. And nothing else matters.
I settle next to Gigi at the wedding, but she’s giving me the silent treatment. Her eyes avoid mine, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“You look gorgeous,” I whisper, hoping to break through her icy exterior.
She shrugs, her gaze fixed on the front of the room. “Like something out of a fairy tale or a daydream,” I add, trying again.
“Funny, I feel more like a nightmare,” she says, her voice cutting.
Her words pierce my heart. I can see the hurt in her eyes, and it kills me that she’s feeling this way because of me. The ceremony begins, and the bridesmaids start walking down the aisle, the soft music filling the room. I lean in closer to Gigi, earning a few glares and shushes from the people around us.
“Gigi, what’s wrong?” I ask, keeping my voice low.
She finally looks at me, her eyes brimming with pain. “I saw you in the bride’s arms. I know you had something big planned, but I think it’s tacky of you to seduce the bride before the wedding.”
My heart sinks. “You think I was seducing her?” I ask, incredulous.
She nods, biting her lip. “It looked like it. And I don’t know, it just broke my heart. I know this is all fake, but it felt real to me. And seeing that…”
“Gigi,” I interrupt, “are you jealous?”
She opens her mouth to protest but stops. “Maybe,” she admits softly. “But it doesn’t matter. What I saw?—”
“Was not what you think,” I say, cutting her off.
Her brow furrows. “Then what was it.”
“Look, Bianca cornered me after I told Brad he could go to hell.” The white-haired woman in front of us gasps, and her equally grayed companion huffs. I ignore them both, my attention completely focused on Gigi. “She came on to me.”
Her jaw drops. “What?”
“She gave me some BS about how I’m the man for her and blah blah blah.” I shudder. “I stopped listening at a certain point, because it doesn’t matter.” I grip onto her hand more tightly. “It doesn’t matter because I did something I wasn’t supposed to do. I fell in love with you.”
Her eyes grow wide. “What did you say?”
“I said I fell in love with you. I know it wasn’t part of the plan. I know it wasn’t even in the same zip code as the plan, but I love you.” I reach up to cup her cheek. “I love you, Gigi.”
I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring, holding it up for her to see. Her eyes widen even more.“Is it real?” she whispers.
“It’s real. The ring and my feelings. I was going to propose again today for fake. But I’m tired of having a fake relationship with you. I want something real. Because my feelings for you are real.”
Her breath catches, tears glistening in her eyes. “Oh, Justin…”
I take her hand, squeezing it gently. “So, I’m going to save this ring and give it to you when you’re ready. Gigi, will you please do me the honor of letting me prove that this is forever?”
“Yes,” she breathes, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Yes, I will.”
I lean in and kiss her, soft and sweet, pouring all my feelings into that one moment. The audience around us sighs, some even applauding softly. The bride and groom look annoyed, but neither of us cares. All that matters is Gigi and me and the promise of something real and lasting.
As we pull away, I see the love and trust shining in her eyes, and I know we’re going to be okay. This is just the beginning of our story, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.