Chapter 44
Wade
The reception looks like something out of a bridal magazine.
Not that I read bridal magazines.
But I can imagine.
The giant white tent glows against the darkness, every beam wrapped in lights.
Crystal chandeliers hang overhead. Round tables stretch across the dance floor beneath elaborate floral arrangements.
Earlier, the tent walls had been rolled open to show off the mountains and fall colors surrounding Horseshoe Holler, but now the sides have been dropped to keep the evening chill and relentless flies outside.
The DJ transitions into another song while guests crowd the dance floor. I’m hoping that, at some point, I’ll be able to steal Ari away for a dance or two.
She’s across the tent, talking with a group of relatives I don’t recognize. Every few seconds, she laughs at something somebody says. Every few seconds, I find myself smiling like an idiot because she’s so animated and fun to watch when she talks.
Sadie appears beside me. “Wow.”
I glance at my sister. She’s followed my gaze directly to Ari.
“It’s honestly embarrassing how obvious you are.”
“Do you really want to go there? Because I could comment plenty on you and James.”
“I want to go there.” She looks me square in the eyes. “You love Ari.”
I don’t fight my sister on that assessment. There’s no reason to. “Okay, yeah,” I admit quietly. “Maybe I do.”
Sadie smiles. “This is big for you, Wade. Like, really big. I didn’t even know you were capable of love.”
“Okay, we get it.”
“It’s just so huge for you.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter.
“So what are you going to do?”
I look at her. “Do I have to do something?”
“I mean, what happens after tonight?”
Oh.
I don’t actually know what normal people do next.
But standing in this tent, watching Ari move through the crowd, I can’t imagine any version of my life where she’s suddenly not in it.
“What am I supposed to do next?”
Sadie raises an eyebrow.
“No, seriously.” I run a hand through my hair. “I don't know how to do this. How to keep her.” The confession leaves my mouth before I can stop it.
Sadie gives me a soft smile that’s more knowing than anything. “For starters, you need to tell Ari. Women don’t like uncertainty.”
“Tell her what?”
“How you feel about her. The truth.”
The truth.
The terrifying truth that I can’t actually live without her.
Before I can answer, Sadie nudges my shoulder. “Oh, dang. You might have some competition.”
“What?” My eyes dart to Ari, and my stomach immediately tightens.
She’s standing with her mom, talking to a tall, clean-cut, confident-smile kind of man.
“He could be a cousin.”
“Nuh-uh.” She shakes her head. “I met him a little while ago. His name is Ethan Miner. He’s Jaxon’s friend from school. Future lawyer. Every mom’s dream for her daughter.”
That explains why Barb is looking at Ethan like he hung the moon, and maybe that explains why Ari is smiling back at him.
When it comes to relationships, he’s the stable bet. Way more stable than me.
“You’re jealous,” Sadie says.
“I’m not jealous. They’re just talking.”
“You’re absolutely jealous. And maybe you wouldn’t be feeling this way if you’d actually talk to Ari and tell her how you feel.”
Something unpleasant twists in my chest.
Have I missed my chance?
Is Ethan Miner taking residency in her heart because I was dragging my feet and didn’t make my intentions clear?
Because, suddenly, I can see a future with Ari, and it doesn’t scare me.
It excites me.
A month ago, I would’ve called that feeling a trap. But not now.
My sister is right.
Ari absolutely needs to know where my head and my heart are at.
Hours later, the reception finally begins winding down. The dance floor empties as Landrie and Jaxon leave to change their clothes for their big exit.
I go looking for Ari.
She’s not at her table.
Not near the dance floor.
Not by the dessert station.
Not outside the tent.
I push the worry away. It’s not like she could’ve gone far. She’d never miss Landrie leaving.
I find Dusty Langford sitting with Tom Walker.
“Hey. Have you seen Ari?”
“I think she went out to the parking lot.”
“The parking lot?”
“Yeah, with that guy.” He turns to Tom, snapping at him as if he has the answer he’s looking for.
“Jaxon’s friend Ethan.”
“Right.” Dusty nods. “She left with Ethan.”
My world stops.
She left with Ethan?
I don't wait for further clarification. I head toward the parking area. Fast. The farther I walk, the harder my heart pounds in my chest because I finally know what happens next between Ari and me.
I just have to tell her.