The sun is shiningits brightest on the guests assembled in the chairs on the chateau lawn. The same flowers from the reception centerpieces line the aisle and cover the archway at the head of everything. Behind it, Chateau Vidal rises like the impressive fortress-slash-hotel-slash-aristocratic home it is. Completing the ambiance is the calm, classical music coming from two modest speakers hidden behind the flowers adorning the arch.
“This is the song, right?” Troy leans over to me to show me his phone, pointing to the song at the bottom of a playlist calledCeremony.
“Yeah,” I say with a burst of nerves. That’s the song Madi will walk down the aisle to, and I still have no idea if I’ll be the one escorting her. I assume not, or she would have said something or sent a message to me by now. Theceremony is starting in a few minutes.
I haven’t seen any sign of Siena, either. That’s probably normal. She’s been helping Madi get ready, along with a few of the other women. But I can’t help feeling nervous despite that.
What if they’ve been talking and decide together that I’m a worthless sack of scum? Losing my relationship with Madiandlosing whatever Siena and I have is a distinct possibility, and it makes me sick to think about.
“You good?” I ask Troy, who nods. “I’ll be right back.”
I head toward the side of the chateau where there’s shade and privacy. I clasp my hand shut when I realize it’s shaking.
I’m such an idiot. I want to be a good brother to Madi. I want to show Siena I’m serious about her.
Instead, I’ve screwed everything up.
“Hey.”
I whirl around toward the voice, and my jaw goes slack.
Madi’s hair is curled and pulled back at the nape of her neck, bouquet in hand. Her dress is white and sleek with a deep neckline, sleeves to her wrists, and a straight skirt that clings to her legs. A sheer veil drops from the crown of her head to her waist.
“Wow,” I say. “You look gorgeous.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
I give a small chuckle, glancing at my navy suit and pastel pink tie. When I look back up, she’s staring at me like she’s trying to figure something out.
“I know what you did, Jack.”
I take in a deep breath and nod. Siena told her the whole story, I’m sure. Which is good. I guess I’d rather have my sister hate me knowing the truth than love me believing a lie. “Not that you feel you can trust me right now, but I really didn’t do it to hurt you. In fact, I really triednotto do it.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. Though, while we’re on the subject, can I just say, if you didn’t go around kissing so many girls at parties, this wouldn’t be a problem.”
I look away. “It wasn’t like that.”
“You mean you didn’t kiss multiple girls before kissing Siena that night?”
I scoff. “Yeah, thanks to Brad and his weird freshman girl fetish. But Siena played spin the bottle, too. Did she tell you she kissed Brad?”
Madi wrinkles her nose in disgust. “While trying not to gag, yes, she did.”
I can’t help a laugh. That night was so long ago, but it’s ingrained in my memory—everything from the smell of Dr Pepper to the way the light of the blue fridge caught on Siena’s smile. “Yeah, she wasn’t a fan of his.”
“But she’s a fan of you.” She holds my gaze, and my heart races. What I wouldn’t give to know exactly what Siena said about me to Madi. “You took the blame for the problem with the band, even though it wasn’t your fault.”
It’s half-statement, half-question, and I stare at the freshly cut grass. “She’s worked so hard on this wedding, Madi. Harder than evenyouknow.”
“I believe you. And it means a lot to me that you would do that for her. She’s had a rough summer, and I’m only now realizing just how much pressure she’s put on herself with my wedding.” She shakes her head like she’s upset with herself. “But my question is whyyoudid it.”
I meet her gaze, and we stare at each other as the seconds tick by, the ceremony music playing in the background.
“I’m in love with her, Madi.” I swallow because those words are a new taste in my mouth. I hadn’t eventhoughtthat phrase about Siena; it just came out. But it feels true. “I know she’s your best friend, and I know it feels like we’ve been down this road before, and it didn’t turn out well, but…”
Siena’s head pops around the side of the building, and she sighs with relief. “There you are.” She glances at me, then quickly to Madi again, like she’s scared to meet my eye. “Everything is ready.”
It’s Madi’s wedding day, and she looks like a million bucks, but Siena…
