“I hated it there,” I reminded my mother.
Mom sighed. “You didn’t like the city, but you still loved dancing. We really do need to get ready.” She released me to stand up. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out with the two of you, but Knox is a decent boy.”
“I’m not with Knox, Mom, he’s just a friend.” I wasn’t going to marry him. I wasn’t sure I would ever marry anyone. Ballet was my husband now.
She held out her hand. “Come on, sweetheart.” She hugged me tight again once I got to my feet. “Remember I love you,” she whispered.
***
Jo was a vision inher wedding dress. It was a ball gown with sheer tulle and a V-neck bodice that had a vintage-inspired lace appliques, delicate spaghetti straps, and a cutout back. All the work my mother put into it was worth it the moment Patrick saw her walk down the aisle because his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning, and then he nearly burst into tears. Hutch was able to calm him down, but not before we made eye contact that only caused butterflies to build inside my stomach. I quickly looked away, but I could feel Madison staring daggers into my back. I made sure to keep my eyes straight ahead for the rest of the ceremony, hoping that the ground would open up and swallow me.
The wedding was beautiful, and I couldn’t have been happier for Jo and Pat. They knew the moment they shared their first kiss all those years ago that they were going to get married someday, and even though I might be a little jealous, I knew they were meant to be together.
Once the minister pronounced them husband and wife, I turned to find Hutch holding out his arm for me. I wanted to refuse, but I had no other choice. Electricity crackled as our skin touched. I hated him. I hated myself for what I did. I wish I could go back in time to change everything, but I didn’t own a time machine.
“You look beautiful, Jills.” Hutch’s husked voice sent shivers up my spine.
I glared up at him only to trip over my dress in the sand. “Don’t speak to me,” I hissed back. “We talked about this.”
A sly smile spread across his handsome face. “You spoke about this.” He chuckled, keeping me from trippingagain. “I know that weddings are all about the bride, but for me? It was all about you. Your tits look great in that dress. Thank your mom for me.”
I smacked him across the chest with the bouquet. “You’re an asshole,” I croaked as the sunset blinded me. Did I mention they got married on the beach? Very cliché around here, but it’s what my sister wanted. “Where’s your wife?” I seethed.
“Probably wishing you were dead.”
“That’s how I feel about you.”I yanked my arm away from him in time to see the hurt in his eyes. “Don’t talk to me. We’re here for a wedding and I promised Jo I wouldn’t ruin her big day.” I turned to find Knox standing there.
He looked between the two of us. “You alright, babe?” I really wish he wouldn’t call me that. We weren’t dating, we weren’t fucking, and we certainly hadn’t kissed. I think Knox just liked to push Hutch’s buttons to see how far he’d take it.
I moved closer to him. “Perfect now,” I assured him as Hutch stalked away. “Thanks,” I added.
“He’s hurting pretty bad.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s married.”
“You still love him, though.”
I leaned my head against his shoulder. “More than ever.” I felt my chin begin to quiver. “Shit, I can’t mess up my makeup. We still have more pictures to take.” I smiled when Knox handed me a tissue. “Thanks.” I dabbed lightly at my face.
“Pretty sure that Madison wants to throttle you.”
“Why? She’s the big winner in all of this. She got the guy.”
Knox looked like he was going to say something else, but was interrupted by the wedding planner, Stella, announcing that she needed all the members of the wedding party together for some pictures. “Remember to smile, Jillian.” Hutch grinned at me, and I resisted the urge to flip him off.
Instead, I flashed a fake smile, batted my lashes, and lifted the skirt of my dress with one hand, while holding my bouquet of flowers in the other so I wouldn’t trip and fall headfirst into the sand and made my way over to where the photographer and the rest of the wedding party were starting to gather.
“This is probably one of the most beautiful settings for a wedding I’ve been to in a long time,” Brooklyn Shepard, the photographer, told Jo, and I couldn’t figure out if she was telling the truth or not. I knew that Jo said she came highly recommended and she had gushed over every single one of her pictures she had looked at. “I really love the beach.” She added, pushing a piece of dark hair behind her ear. “Okay, can we have the bride, groom, maid of honor, and best man first?” Brooklyn made a motion for the four of us to move out front.
I tried not to groan aloud, but from the way Jo shot me the evil eye, I was pretty sure that plan didn’t work. “Sorry,” I mouthed as I stood awkwardly next to my now ex-boyfriend who looked like he was enjoying this more than he should.
“Jo, Pat, I want you two to stand next to one another but with your backs to me. Then I want Hutch next to Jo, and Jillian next to Hutch, also with your backs to me.” Brooklyn nodded as we assembled the way she instructed. “Great, good. Okay, now the sisters hold hands behind Hutch, while the brothers fist bump over the bride.” Then she snapped a few photos. “These are great, thank you.” She told us. “Now, Pat, I want you to grab your wife for a kiss, and I want you to high-five your brother while Jillian looks annoyed.”Brooklyn tugged at the camera strap around her neck.
I snorted. “I think I can handle that part.” I smirked as Brooklyn raised her camera.I had to admit she had a lot of great ideas, although it was hard when she suggested a couple ones with just Hutch and me cuddled up together. He seemed to take it all in a smooth stride, wrapped his strong arms around me, and held me close. Hutch smelled amazing, like he had bathed in soap that was meant to cause my knees to grow weak, warmth to spread over my body, and desire to build inside my stomach.
“Everything alright, Jilly?” His lips brushed the back of my ear. “You seem tense.”
I tried to ignore him. I tried to pretend that this was nothing other than a part I was playing. Dancing on the stage with an audience watching. Until I felt his hard length against my backside. “You fucking pig,” I hissed. “Your wife is right over there, and you’re getting off on this?” I dug my nails into Hutch’s hands as he laughed.
