I freeze. My applause slows, but my heartbeat doesn’t. How had I not caught sight of her before?
Her smile is practically majestic as she gazes at the bride and groom. Is it her friends she’s so enthralled by? Or the act of holy matrimony?
Hell. The latter should have me retreating quickly. But even in profile, this redheaded stunner has me mesmerized. The soft curve of her cheeks, her full lips, and that gorgeous, ginger hair that begs to be touched. Instead of reveling in the fact that each of the ceremonies is finally over and the party can now commence, I’ve only got one thought running through my mind.
Who’s that girl?
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAR
The opening notesof Matt and Ellie’s wedding song begin to play, and he gives her a knowing wink. I watch in sheer delight as he twirls her down the aisle to “Joy” by Andy Grammer. Their bliss is radiating off of them in waves. Each of the couples has had me swooning, but I can’t help but feel that Matt and Ellie are special. The crowd claps along as the newlyweds make their way to the reception, everyone swaying to the beat of the music.
Eventually, the guests all pour out of their seats. I’m certain they’re ready for the festivities to begin after sitting through four ceremonies in the warmer than expected late summer sun.As the happy couple reaches the dancefloor, they begin to showcase a little more choreography with their song than the previous couples. As Grammer croons of how he found joy, bought her a rock, and made her his wife, the guests cackle at Matt’s shenanigans as he pretends to sing into an invisible microphone.
There is no doubt how much this man loves my beautiful friend. I cup my cheeks with my palms, laughter bubbling out of me at his showmanship.Haha. Have they been practicing this?
Yet when the lyrics change, singing of how he can’t believe she gave him two more of her, Matt drops down on both knees in front of his bride and kisses her belly.
“Oh my god!” I squeal as if I’ve just won a huge prize on a game show. The shock of this news is hitting me full force. Unable to help myself, I run out onto the dancefloor. Grabbing ahold of my sweet friend’s arms, I spin her to face me. “Is that why you were worried about your dress?”
She’s so choked up, she can only nod. Collective gasps are heard from around us as her friends surround us. Clearly, they couldn’t help disrupting their dance by running over either.
“You’re pregnant?” Addison, one of the four brides, belts out. Well, at least I wasn’t the only one left in the dark.
“Yes.” Ellie nods vigorously.
“Wait.” We all turn to look at Tuesday, another of the newly married women. Her brows are pinched in apparent confusion. “The song saidtwomore of her.” She emphasizes the two before I can fully contemplate what she’s asking.
Multiple sets of wide eyes are on Ellie now. Matt can’t seem to help himself. Standing tall and proud, his hands on his hips like a caped crusader, he says, “Just call me Super Sperm!”
My mouth flies open in shock. To say I’m thrilled for her is an understatement. But the news has barely registered before a twang of anguish pulls on my heart.
Having my best friend move states away has been hard enough. I hadn’t let anyone into my life for so long. Even before I came to Candy Cane Key, my mother’s unpredictable turbulence prevented me from forming close friendships. And bringing girls home after school or on the weekends wasn’t an option. Not given the risk of what she might say in front of them.
Allowing my friendship with Ellie to grow after my arrival to the quirky coastal town had been an unexpected gift. One I never took for granted. Yet while I’m in Candy Cane Key, Florida, she’s living in Sycamore Mountain, North Carolina. I reasoned it was only a few states away. However, we both have businesses keeping us tied to our current addresses. Me with my salon, her with her restaurant. It was proving to make spending time together quite difficult. Add in twins, and it’ll be virtually impossible for her to leave here.
When she’d contacted me about her plans to have joint wedding day festivities with three other brides, I wasn’t sure what to think. My selfless bestie was never one for the limelight. Her deciding to share one of the biggest milestones of her life with her friends shouldn’thave come as a surprise. Particularly since she didn’t have any living relatives left to celebrate the day with.
Yet I hadn’t come to terms with her being so far away. Much less, creating a whole new life here without me. Now there will be babies I’ll rarely see. I’ve never allowed myself to dream of children or a family. My life was too complicated for such things. And Ellie felt as much like a sister as a friend. Was it wrong I’d anticipated being “Aunt Char” to her kids one day?
The urge to rub the hollow ache in my chest returns full force. I know she’s only a phone call or video chat away. And as much as I worry about what’s involved in traveling, I could probably manage it every few years if I was really careful.Feeling as if I’m all alone in this sea of celebration, I chew on my fingernail. I’d have to do a far better job planning than this last trip, that’s for sure.
Ellie moves to my side, likely sensing my racing thoughts. She’s grown to know me so well. At least, as well as I allow anyone to truly know me. “I wasn’t sure if you were aware,” she says in a singsong voice. “There isn’t a good salon or spa here. Only an ancient, bare-bones place that caters to all the blue-haired hens in town.” She snickers, her bright eyes shining hopefully.
While the thought is tempting, safety needs to come before all else. I’ve managed to keep my past from coming back to haunt me. Meandthe ones I care about most. What Ellie and my friends don’t know won’t hurt them. And now more than ever, I need to limit any risk to them or those precious babies.
I’m willing to forgo my happily ever after to keep myself and my friendssafe.Even if I wish there was another way.
CHAPTER EIGHT
DAVE
“If everyone will taketheir seats, dinner is about to be served,” Jason, my captain and one of the four groomsmen, announces.
I rub my palms together in eager anticipation. Okay. So, I may have starved myself over the last twenty-four hours, knowing this feast was coming. But Ellie’s cooking is the best I’ve ever eaten, bar none. Sad that she had to cook for her own wedding reception. But hell if I’m not glad she did.
Following the crowd, I walk over to the seating chart and scour the list until I locate my name.Ugh. Brecken is sitting at my table. Guess I might be drinking more than I planned. That guy is constantly busting my balls. It’s like every day is a fraternity party with him. Thankfully, he pulls his shit together when we’re on a call. But if he plays one more stupid prank?—
