I turn back to my sister. “It’s time.”
I help Maya to her feet, place the bouquet in her hands, and escort her to our dad, who’s waiting at the back of the lineup.
The music changes. Derek’s taken his place at the altar.
I move to my place beside the door, my heart hammering as I signal for the wedding party to start walking. The music sweeps over me, swelling as Maya steps up to the door, her eyes already brimming, and looks to me. Waiting.
“Walk slowly. Enjoy it,” I whisper. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze.
And she starts walking.
I step through the door, watching as she makes her way to the altar, but my gaze falls on Brody seated on the aisle. He’s looking past Maya, right at me, smiling that private smile. The one that says I see you. I choose you. Just a little longer and we can talk.
It might be too late for that.
Fifteen
Brody
In approximately two hours, this contract between Chloe and me is coming to an end. But I’ve already set my mind on it. I’m not letting her go.
Chloe catches my eye as she slips into the room, wearing the blue dress. Just like Barcelona. This girl kills me in blue. Her hair tumbles in a half do over her shoulders, and the music swells as she leans back against the doors, like a dream I didn’t know I was having.
A dream I didn’t know I wanted so badly.
But I want this. I want a future with her. I want to look out over the ice and see her wearing my number. I want Friday nights curled up on the couch, talking about anything and nothing. Saturday mornings at Brew & Rumor, watching her sketch out another story and bring it to life. I want us.
And I think she wants that too.
So tonight, when the contract ends, before she can break it off with me like she’s supposed to, I’ll whisk her away. Find a way to pull her aside, like our first kiss under the orange trees, and tell her how I feel. This stopped being fake for me. I’m in love with you. The contract says you’re supposed to break up with me tonight, but what if we don’t? What if we tear up that clause and make this real instead?
It’s not public yet. No one knows about the contract except me, Chloe, and Rick. Okay, and maybe the Blue Ox team manager and Chloe’s bossy roommate, Jessa. But true love will save the day, and we’ll just change the terms. Mutually agree to void the staged breakup clause. Just…not do it. Stay together. Make it official. Make it real.
No harm, no foul. Everyone (especially us) lives happily ever after.
The thought makes my chest feel too small for my heart. I pull my gaze away, turning back toward the procession as Maya reaches the arch. Her father lifts her veil, kisses her cheek, shakes Derek’s hand. The moment is sweet, genuine, the kind of thing that makes even cynical hockey players believe in forever.
The officiant starts talking. Something about love and commitment and choosing each other every day. The words wash over me because even fifty feet apart, with three hundred people in between, I feel connected to her in a way I’ve never felt connected to anyone.
My phone trembles in my pocket.
I ignore it. Because I’m at a wedding, and checking your phone during the ceremony is the kind of thing that gets you dirty looks.
It vibrates again.
I glance again at Chloe. She’s still standing in the back of the room, focused on the ceremony.
More buzzing. A phone call this time, vibrating insistently against my leg.
Okay, okay.
I slip away from my spot near the side door, push out of the room, wait until I’m a good six feet from the door before pulling out my phone. Seven missed calls from Rick. Six texts, two from Conrad, who’s still sitting in the audience.
Rick
Call me NOW
