Prologue #2
But Jaxon was already moving, cupping Anna's face in his hands and kissing her with such tenderness, such complete devotion, that I had to look away. It felt too intimate, too sacred to witness.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, causing me to flinch.
Jaxon pulled Anna closer, lifting her off her feet and spinning her in a circle, both of them laughing through their tears.
When he set her down, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again, not caring about the whistles and catcalls from the ranch hands.
Owen chose that moment to let out a delighted shriek, clapping his chubby hands together like he understood what was happening. The sound made everyone laugh, breaking the emotional intensity of the moment.
As Anna and Jaxon finally pulled apart, turning to face their guests as husband and wife with Anna's bouquet raised triumphantly in the air, I felt that familiar sensation of being watched.
Shit.
Felix's eyes were on me, and had probably been on me the whole time. I'd been so caught up in the ceremony that I'd let my guard down, and now he'd seen me cry, seen me be vulnerable and—
I straightened my spine and carefully schooled my expression back to neutral, but it was too late. He'd already seen. And from the soft look on his face, he wasn't judging me for it.
That almost made it worse.
The recessional music started—something upbeat and country that had people clapping along.
Jaxon and Anna practically danced down the aisle, Anna's dress flowed behind her, both of them radiated joy.
Connor offered Harper his arm, and they followed, Harper wiping happy tears and beaming.
And then it was our turn. Felix's and mine.
Double shit.
I clenched my jaw as I stepped forward to meet Felix in the middle. He moved toward me with that easy grace he had, like a predator who'd learned to hide his teeth. But his eyes were gentle as he offered his arm.
"You okay?" he asked quietly, low enough that only I could hear.
"I'm fine," I said automatically, slipping my arm through his but touching him as little as possible. The warmth of him seeped through his suit jacket anyway, making my skin prickle with awareness.
"Liar," he murmured, but there was no judgment in it. Just observation.
We walked down the aisle together, following Connor and Harper toward the reception area they'd set up near the barn.
Guests were already getting up, chattering excitedly, heading for the drinks and appetizers.
The late afternoon sun painted everything gold and green, like the whole world was celebrating with Anna and Jaxon.
The moment we cleared the aisle, I started to pull away, but Felix's hand covered mine on his arm. Not restraining, just…there.
"Emma," he said quietly.
"I need to check on Anna," I said quickly, not meeting his eyes. "Make sure her dress is okay and—"
"Her dress is fine," his voice was patient, careful. "But you're not."
"I said I'm—"
"I saw you flinch when everyone stood up. Saw you tracking the exits during the ceremony. Saw the way you kept Harper between you and the crowd." His voice dropped lower. "It's okay to not be okay."
My throat tightened. "Felix, please. Not today. This is Anna's wedding—"
"And Anna would be the first person to tell you that healing isn't linear." He released my hand, stepping back to give me space. "I'm not pushing. Just…you don't have to pretend with me."
Before I could respond, Harper appeared, saving me from having to figure out what to say to that.
"Emma! Come on, Anna needs us for pictures!" She grabbed my hand, then paused, looking between Felix and me. "Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine," I said, probably too quickly.
Harper's eyes narrowed slightly, but Owen chose that moment to start fussing in Denny’s arms across the lawn. "I'll be right back," she said. "Don't let them start pictures without me!"
She hurried off toward her son, and I took the opportunity to escape as well, heading toward where Anna stood laughing with some of the ranch hands’ wives, her new wedding ring catching the light.
But I could feel Felix watching me go, that steady, patient gaze that saw too much and asked for nothing in return.
Not yet, I told myself. Not when I'm still so broken.
But at the same time, a tiny voice in my head whispered back. What if Felix is right? It’s okay to not be okay.
I pushed the thought away and plastered on a smile for Anna, who grabbed my hands the moment she saw me.
"Emma! Can you believe it? I'm married! I'm actually married!" She spun in a circle, her dress floating around her. "And did you see Jaxon during the vows? I thought he was going to cry!"
"He did cry," I corrected, smiling for real now. "Everyone cried. Those vows were beautiful, Anna."
"He means them," she said softly, her joy settling into something deeper. "Every word. After everything with Daniel, I never thought…but Jaxon makes me believe in forever again."
Looking at her, this woman who'd survived what I'd survived, who'd found love and healing on the other side, I felt something crack open in my chest.
Maybe, that tiny voice whispered again. Maybe someday.